Career Development Program FAQ

Question: Can I submit more than one application?

Answer: No more than one application may be submitted in the current grant review cycle.

 

 

Question: Can my Sponsor be a Sponsor to another Fellow/Special Fellow in the same lab?

Answer: A Sponsor can be named on the application of another applicant in the same lab so long as the other applicant is NOT applying to the same sub-category.

 

Question: Can my Sponsor be a Sponsor to another Scholar, or to a Fellow/Special Fellow? 

Answer: Yes; there is no limit on the number of Scholars one can Sponsor, even while also sponsoring a Fellow or Special Fellow.

 

Question: Does this grant cover the cost of tuition?

Answer: No, this grant does not cover tuition or research costs. This grant only supports salary.

 

Question: What if I fall outside of the eligibility range?

Answer:  Any justification considered by LLS and the review panel is very narrow, and includes family leave, serious personal illness, and/or military service. There may be limited circumstances that will be considered beyond those listed, but they must be of a similar level of significance. Examples of unacceptable justification include extra time spent in your thesis advisor’s laboratory for any reason, or personal reasons beyond those listed above. This section may also be used to concisely explain your training history, particularly when it is complicated or does not reflect the system used in the USA.

 

Question: Is “salary” the same as “stipend”?

Answer: Yes, the two terms are synonymous.

 

Question: Does fringe count in the budget?

Answer: Yes, both salary and fringe count as direct costs.

 

Question: Can I deviate from the margins and font that are preset in the application template?

Answer: No, all Applicants must use single-spaced text and Times New Roman 12 pt. Margins are preset in the template and must remain as is. The Applicant's name should be typed in the upper right corner of each page of the template. Failure to use the provided template or to adhere to font size, spacing, margins, and/or page limitations may result in the disqualification of the application.

 

Question: What if my Sponsor and/or reference letter writer is unable to submit their reference letter by the reference letter/full application deadline?

Answer: Your application will be disqualified if letters are not received by the stated Full Application deadline.

 

Question: What if my Human Subjects and Laboratory Animal assurances haven’t been approved before the application deadline (IRB, IACUC)?

Answer:

IRB: The application may be submitted with IRB approval pending. However, an award will not be made without documented IRB approval if it was pending at the time of application submission. It is recommended that the Applicant notify LLS before the January review date if the IRB status has changed. If a project is exempt from IRB review, the certificate of exemption must be uploaded as the Human Investigation Statement.

 

IACUC: The application may be submitted with IACUC approval pending. However, an award will not be made without documented IACUC approval if it was pending at the time of application submission. It is recommended that the Applicant notify LLS before the January review if the IACUC status has changed.

 

Question: What counts as the “date of conferral” of my degree? Could my oral thesis defense date count as the date of conferral? 

Answer: The date of conferral of your degree is when your university has granted you your degree.  This date usually comes after the oral thesis defense.  The degree date of conferral is distinct from the oral thesis defense, and both are required on the eligibility form.

 

Question: Could this grant cover any sub contract costs?

Answer: No, this award is solely for the support of your salary.

 

Question: Could a Fellow or a Special Fellow award be transferred to another person in the lab, if the Grantee leaves the lab? 

Answer: No. The Career Development Program award is meant for the person to whom it is granted more than to the project.

 

Question: Could someone switch labs before the grant start date of July 1st of the year in which the grant is awarded? 

Answer: No. Transferring labs between starting the grant application process and the award date may result in termination of the award.

 

Question: Could a grantee switch his/her Scholar award to a research grant?

Answer: No, this award only supports salary and will not support a research grant.

 

Question: Could an applicant name more than one Sponsor on an application (Co-Sponsor)?

Answer: Yes, Co-Sponsors are allowed.  One of the Co-Sponsors must be the head of the lab; this person is considered the primary Sponsor.  The other co-Sponsor may be in another lab.   This is allowed for eligibility purposes and the abstracts phase. Note, however, that the review panel will make the final decision as to whether having more than one Sponsor makes sense scientifically and for career development. Also note that both Co-Sponsors are kept to the same rule that any one Sponsor can only have one Special Fellow or Fellow.

 

Question: Do character limits include spaces?

Answer: Yes.