How Are Childcare Costs for NRSA Trainees and Fellows Requested?

Our policy team continues to receive questions about how institutions can request childcare costs for full-time predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees appointed on NRSA institutional research training awards and full-time NIH-NRSA supported fellowship positions. These and many other questions related to childcare costs can be found in our Childcare Costs FAQs. Even if you have requested childcare costs in past Fellowship applications, the process is slightly different with the new FORMS-G applications and the updated FAQ below is worth another look.

Does the institution need to request the childcare costs for new and continuation NRSA Training applications?

No. Childcare costs will generally be provided based on the number of trainee slots awarded. No additional action is needed on the part of the applicant at the time of application to request these funds.

How do institutions request childcare costs for NRSA Fellowships? UPDATED

Applicants and recipients may request the NRSA childcare allowance as part of new applications (Type 1), continuation applications (Type 5), or as an administrative supplement request (Type 3).

New Applications

Applicants are strongly encouraged to request childcare costs for all applicable years that the project will be funded based on the dependent(s)’ age eligibility factor.

PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form

• For due dates on or after January 25, 2022 (FORMS-G), all fellowship applicants are required to indicate whether funds are being requested for childcare costs by checking the appropriate box in field 27 on the PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form.
• List, by year, the amount of childcare costs requested. For each year requested enter $2,500 for the amount.
• Applicants are not required to submit supporting documentation with each request. Recipients must maintain all supporting documentation (e.g., proof provider is licensed). NIH reserves the right to request proof at any time.

Continuation Applications 

Current fellows may request childcare costs for future years via the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR). In Section G.1 of the RPPR, recipients must upload a PDF named “Childcare_Cost_Request.pdf” (without quotation marks). The attachment must specify the requested childcare costs amount and number of years requested. Applicants are strongly encouraged to request childcare costs for all remaining years that the project will be funded based on the dependent(s)’ age eligibility factor. Recipients are not required to submit supporting documentation with each request. Recipients must maintain all supporting documentation (e.g., proof provider is licensed). NIH reserves the right to request proof at any time.

Administrative Supplements

Current fellows may request an administrative supplement to provide childcare costs on an existing award. Applications must be submitted using Notice of Special Interest NOT-OD-21-070. Applicants are strongly encouraged to request childcare costs for all remaining years that the project will be funded based on the dependent(s)’ age eligibility factor.

Applicants must use the forms package with the Competition ID containing “ADMINSUPP-FELLOWSHIP”.

PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form

• All fellowship applicants are required to indicate whether funds are being requested for childcare costs by checking the appropriate box in field 27 on the PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form.
• List, by year, the amount of childcare costs requested. For each year requested enter $2,500 for the amount.
• Applicants are not required to submit supporting documentation with each request. Recipients must maintain all supporting documentation (e.g., proof provider is licensed). NIH reserves the right to request proof at any time.