NOT-OD-25-165 Updated Guidance: Requesting Childcare Costs for NRSA Fellowships & Training Grants
NIH has updated its FAQs on childcare costs for NRSA Institutional Training Grants and Individual Fellowships to reflect new submission methods, there are no changes to the underlying childcare cost policy or funding levels.
For NRSA Fellowships:
Current fellows may request childcare funding through an administrative supplement.
Use the Parent Administrative Supplement NOFO, select the ADMINSUPP_FELLOWSHIP package, and complete the childcare section in the PHS Fellowship Supplemental Form.
Fellows are encouraged to request childcare costs for all eligible project years.
For NRSA Institutional Training Grants:
If programs use all awarded childcare funds and receive additional trainee requests, they may request extra funds via Prior Approval in eRA Commons.
Use the Other Request option and include justification for the number of trainees needing childcare support and the additional amount requested.
Future versions of PA-20-272 (expected FY2026) will include updated instructions.
These updates reflect process changes only, not policy changes. Childcare funding amounts, eligibility, and reporting requirements remain unchanged.