I'm interested in finding out how different universities manage the
compensation of trainees.

Situation:

An individual (pre or postdoc) is on a NRSA training grant.  They are
being paid at the stipend level determined by NIH.  This individual
also would like to receive "additional" compensation off another
NIH grant.  According to NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, NRSA
Guidelines:
 "It is recognized that trainees and fellows as students
may seek part-time employment coincidental to their training program
in order to further offset their expenses.  In circumstances of
actual employment, the funds provided as compensation (slary or
tuition remission) for services rendered, such as, teaching or
laboratory assistance are NOT considered stipend
supplementation....trainees and fellows may be compensated for actual
employment on Federal grants, including PHS research grants.
However, it is expencted that ocmpensation from research grants will
occur on a limited part-time basis for employment apart from the
normal training activities which require a minium of 40 hours per
week.

 UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MAY THE CONDITIONS OF STIPEND
SUPPLEMENTATION OR COINCIDENTAL EMPLOYMENT DETRACT FROM OR PROLONG
THE APPROVED TRAINING PROGRAM.

 COMPENSATION MAY NOT BE PAID FROM A RESEARCH GRANT WHICH
SUPPORTS THE SAME RESEARCH THAT IS PART OF THE TRAINEE'S PLANNED
TRAINING EXPERIENCE AS APPROVED IN THE TRAINING GRANT APPLICATION.
... PI'S MUST APPROVE ALL INSTANCES OR EMPLOYMENT ON RESEARCH GRANTS
IN ORDER TO VERIFY THAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES WILL NOT DETRACT FROM OR
PROLONG THE APPROVED TRAINING PROGRAM."

In a situation where the trainee is on a NRSA, can they get
additional compensation from a research grants under the direction of
the SAME project director?  Would it be wise to set limitations on
the definition of what is the SAME RESEARCH with regard to the
trainee's training experience?  By having the trainee work under the
direction of a DIFFERENT project director for the "additional" work?
Assure it by making sure they work in a different department?

My concern:

The determination of what is NON-RELATED to the training experience
could be misinterputed and then, therefore, causing great fiscal
difficulties in reporting.

Thanks for your input!

KAREN PFISTER
THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF SUNY
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
STONY BROOK, NEW YORK 11794
(516)632-9139
Fax (516)632-6963