NHGRI T32 FAQ: Budget and Funding

Are T32 applications subject to NIH policies requiring prior approval before submitting applications with direct costs exceeding $500,000 in any one year; i.e. including a cover letter identifying IC staff who have agreed to accept assignment of the application?
Yes. NHGRI requires that applicants for T32 training grants with direct costs over $500,000 obtain prior approval from NHGRI staff before submitting their T32 application and include a cover letter with their application indicating prior staff approval.

In calculating the requested budget on a competing training grant budget, may increases for inflation be included in the future years?
No. The costs per trainee are not escalated for inflation in the future years. NRSA levels for stipend, tuition/fees and other budgetary levels are published yearly (e.g. 2020 Notice. Levels frequently are increased, and outyears would be adjusted accordingly.)

Does NHGRI provide travel funds for T32 trainees?
Yes, NHGRI provides up to $3,000 per year per trainee to travel to the NHGRI Research Training and Career Development Annual Meeting (required) and professional conferences.  NHGRI will provide additional travel expenses up to $3,000 per year for total training staff (not per individual) to travel to the NHGRI Research Training and Career Development Annual Meeting.  Training staff includes PDs/PIs, coordinators, and training faculty. You must specifically ask for these funds in your application and specifying the NHGRI annual meeting.

Can we request costs for family health insurance for trainees?
Tuition, fees and health insurance (self-only or family) are an allowable trainee costs only if such charges are applied consistently to all people in a similar training status at the organization, without regard to their source of support. Health insurance can include coverage for costs such as vision and/or dental care if consistent with organizational policy. Health insurance is awarded as part of the Training Related Expenses category.

Can I expect to be fully funded at the Council recommended trainee levels listed on my summary statement?
While NHGRI tries to support all programs at or near the Council recommended slot level, this will depend on the availability of funds at the time of award. Never assume your program will receive the requested number of slots until the Notice of Grant Award.

Can I use unobligated funds to support additional trainees?
In noncompeting years, use of unobligated funds to increase the number of slots will depend on how successful the training program has been in filling their current slots with well-qualified trainees, as well as having a good track record of appointing women and underrepresented minorities to the program.

How many slots can I request?
New Genome Sciences and Genomic Medicine programs are limited to 10 trainees. ELSI programs can request up to five trainees.