We are getting conflicting answer to the question in the subject line. On the one hand, it seems to happen regularly, and we have an F31 recipient who was strongly encouraged and assisted by NIH folks to participate in a lab that matched
her interests, with the understanding that a leave of absence from the F31 would be required for that internship period. On the other hand we are told that even with a 8-week leave of absence to cover the internship period, the F31 is considered concurrent,
and thus participation in the NIH Summer Internship Program would be considered double-dipping. I would like to hear from other institutions that have raised this question.
I’m aware of the NIH GPS wording on unpaid leave and extensions for Kirchstein NRSA awards (below), which seems to allow such possibilities, but apparently there is some room for interpretation about the meaning of “concurrent” awards.
Unpaid Leave. Individuals
requiring extended periods of time away from their research training experience, that is, more than 15 calendar days of sick leave or more than 60 calendar days of parental leave, must seek approval from the NIH awarding IC for an unpaid leave of absence.
A request letter must be submitted by the AOR on behalf of the fellow and must advise the NIH awarding IC of the dates of the leave of absence. Upon approval of the request, the NIH awarding IC will issue
a revised NoA extending the ending date of the current budget/project period by the appropriate number of days or months of unpaid leave time. Recipients are precluded from spending award funds during the leave of absence; although continued coverage of health
insurance would be allowable if in accordance with policy of the sponsoring institution.
During a leave of absence, documentation to suspend the award and/or the accrual of service for calculating the payback obligation must be completed and retained by the sponsoring
institution. When the fellowship is eventually terminated, the leave of absence must be clearly documented on the Termination Notice.
There is also this:
Requests for extension of support also will be considered if a short additional period would provide the fellow an opportunity to use an exceptional training resource
directly related to the approved research training program.
Both from
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2011/nihgps_ch11.htm .
Rick Francis, Ph.D., C.R.A.
Director, Research & Sponsored Programs, and Director of Research Information Services
Research and Sponsored Programs, Mailstop 1020
The University of Toledo
3000 Arlington Ave.
Toledo, OH 43614
419-383-4238