Grant programs

Cardiovascular T32 Program Information

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (T32) programs are designed to develop and/or enhance research training opportunities for individuals interested in careers in biomedical research. T32 Training Grants provide trainees with opportunities to travel to a conference, take additional coursework, and improve their career development training. This page contains resources for future and current T32 trainees.

The primary criteria for selection will be scientific excellence and relevance of the proposed research to the field of cardiovascular disease.

Trainee Expectations

The following is a list of requirements for all appointed trainees:

  • Complete an Individual Development Plan and discuss the plan with their Mentoring Committee.
  • Complete Conduct of Research (RCR) and Rigor and Reproducibility trainings.
  • Enroll and pass the Grant Writing course (MDCRC 6450).
  • Communication skill-development requirements
  • Lecture Delivery: prepare at least two oral presentations per year.
  • Abstract Submission: submit at least one, first author abstract to a scientific meeting.
  • Manuscript Submission: submit at least one, first author, full manuscript to a peer-reviewed clinical or basic science journal.
  • Grant Application: submit at least one grant application for research funding, such as American Heart Association or a NIH K08.
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Entrance to the Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research & Training Institute, featuring glass doors, white railings, and adjacent garden beds with plants under a clear blue sky.

Conferences & Symposia

  • Attend weekly seminars (such as CVRTI’s Seminar Series, Thursdays at 12noon)
  • Attend scientific conferences as deemed appropriate by their Mentoring Committee
  • Annual Utah Cardiac Recovery Symposium (UCARS)
  • Western Atrial Fibrillation Symposium
  • American Heart Association conferences

Travel & Training-Related Costs

Trainees are allotted grant funds to cover travel costs and training-related expenses. Exact amounts will always be outlined in your appointment/reappointment award letters. Prior approval by your program director may be required.

  • Travel costs are provided to support travel expenses or virtual conferences.
  • Generally allowable training-related costs include:
  • One computer (iPad, Desktop, or Laptop) per two-year appointment
  • Software that directly supports the research project
  • Lab supplies
  • Cores services and analysis
  • Professional Development and some memberships
  • Unallowable: office equipment (i.e. chairs, desks, paper, pens)
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Healthcare, Childcare, & Tuition

  • Health Insurance – the training grant will contribute partial funding towards the cost of the employer portion of health benefits. Additional costs will be responsibility of trainee’s home department/unit.
  • Childcare cost support is available from NIH for full-time postdoctoral trainees appointed on NRSA institutional training grants. Each trainee is eligible to receive $3,000 per budget period for childcare costs provided by a licensed childcare provider.
  • Tuition is provided as a benefit for trainees. Courses related to your training will be paid for by the grant. Prior approval from the sponsor or program director may be required.

Timing of Payroll vs. Stipends

Standard support is provided for 2 years. Second-year support is subject to evaluation by the training grant steering committee.

The University issues stipend payments on the first of each appointment month. Most banks process direct deposits within the same business day; however, with some banks/credit unions, it might take two to three business days to have stipend deposited to your account.

There will be a gap between a trainee’s final stipend payment and their first paycheck as they transition off the grant and return to standard payroll. For example, if their termination date is June 30, the final stipend payment will be issued on the first of the final month (June 1st) and the first payroll check for the period of July 1–15th will be received on July 22.

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Taxes on Stipends

Although stipends are not considered salaries, these payments are subject to federal and, sometimes, state taxes. There are no taxes withheld from stipend payments by the University of Utah, and the University does not issue 1099s. We recommend that trainees consider paying estimated taxes.

Unfortunately, the University does not provide individual tax liability guidance, so our only option is to refer trainees to their personal tax professional. NRSA trainees may ask their grant administrator for a copy of their NIH Statement of Appointment, the U of U Scholarship/Fellowship/Traineeship form, and their award letter, which includes references to the applicable tax codes. (Section 117 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 117) applies to the tax treatment of scholarships and fellowships.)

NIH Payback Obligation (Postdoctoral Trainees Only)

Postdoctoral trainees will incur a payback obligation to NIH in the first 12 months of their NIH-supported postdoctoral research training period. However, if they continue their T32 training for a second year, that second year will fulfill the payback obligation of the first year. As an alternative, the first 12 months of payback obligation can be satisfied if they engage in a second 12 months of health-related research, health-related research training, or health-related teaching. 

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