Ruth L. Kirschstein Institutional NRSA Training Grants (T32)

Instructions for Grantees Requesting an Additional
Trainee Position to Enhance Research Workforce Diversity

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Institutes of Health
Department of Health and Human Services

Revised: September 2011

This document provides instructions on how to apply for an additional position on an NHLBI NRSA training grant (T32) to support training of individuals currently underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and social sciences such as: individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities¹, and individuals from socially, culturally, economically, or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds².

¹Individuals with disabilities are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

²A disadvantaged background is most applicable to high school and perhaps undergraduate trainees, but would be more difficult to justify for individuals beyond that level of achievement.

Provided all the awarded training positions on an active NHLBI supported Ruth L. Kirschstein Institutional NRSA Training Grant (T32) are filled,³ and a potential underrepresented racial and ethnic group trainee, and/or an individual with a disability, and/or an individual from a socially, culturally, economically, or educationally disadvantaged background is identified, the Training Director may submit a request for an extra training position for the current year to support the trainee(s). It is anticipated that the extra training position will be needed for one year only, as the trainee should occupy one of the regular training positions in the subsequent year(s) of training. The NIH and NHLBI NRSA policies require extensive efforts at recruitment and retention of trainees to ensure diversity of its training programs.

³Filled = Completed and signed Statement of Appointment Form (SF 2271) has been submitted to and accepted by the NHLBI.

The trainee must be at the training level approved for the grant (i.e., predoctoral, postdoctoral, or short-term), be appointed for a period of at least 2 years, be a member of an underrepresented group in biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and/or social science research (e.g., racial and ethnic group) or an individual with a disability, or an individual from a disadvantaged background and meet all other eligibility criteria specified in the parent grant.

If the request is approved, no announcements or commitments contingent on these funds should be made before a revised Notice of Grant Award has been received from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Application Procedure

Requests may be made at any time during the project period, provided enough time remains to allow at least 2 years of training for the potential trainee. The following information should be sent directly to the NHLBI program official shown on the Notice of Grant Award.

• A request written on institutional letterhead and signed by the training program director, the proposed trainee, and the appropriate institution business official that specifies:

o The trainee's eligibility, academic background, and proposed training level (pre, post, or short-term);
o The proposed total training period (e.g., July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2012);
o The dollar amount required to support the additional trainee position for one year, including stipend (in accordance with the established NIH stipend schedule), travel funds, training-related expenses, and any necessary tuition and fees. Include, if applicable, the funds requested for reasonable accommodations.⁴
o The program currently has filled all of its awarded predoctoral and/or postdoctoral positions.

• A Statement of Appointment form (PHS 2271) for initial period of appointment.

• A Payback Agreement form (PHS 6031) - for postdoctoral appointments only.

• Supporting information which lists all trainees currently being supported on the T32 grant, number of awarded pre/post doctoral/short-term positions, current and anticipated subsequent year appointment dates (see Sample Spreadsheet).

⁴Reasonable Accommodations

As part of this award, funds may be requested to make changes or adjustments in the research setting that will make it possible for a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions associated with his/her role on the project. The accommodations requested under this program must be directly related to the performance of the proposed role on the research project and must be appropriate to the disabilities of the individual. Some types of accommodations that might be provided under this award include: specialized equipment, assistive devices, and personnel such as readers, interpreters, or assistants. In all cases, the total funds for accommodations requested must be reasonable.

In the subsequent year, the trainee with a disability should occupy one of the regular training positions, and NHLBI will continue funding for the reasonable accommodation(s).

Contact Information

Helena O. Mishoe, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Office of Research Training and Minority Health, NHLBI
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 9180, MSC 7913
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7913

Phone: (301) 451-5081
Fax: (301) 480-0862
Email: MishoeH@nhlbi.nih.gov

Last Updated September 2011