Per NIH NOT-OD-02-017, Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) support (salary + benefits + tuition/fees) must not exceed the current NRSA postdoc level 0.

• For 2022, the maximum is $54,840. 

While the SF424 instructions say to request actual compensation amounts for graduate students, OSR policy is to apply the Postdoc level 0 in all NIH proposals.

1. Determine the graduate program in which the GSR is enrolled and whether the program is Basic Science or Social and Populations Sciences. 
2. Establish the institutional GSR base salary and escalations based on the GSR program:

To retain their status as a student, Graduate Students can have a maximum GSR academic payroll appointment of 50% while school is in session. When school is out of session (June-August), they may have an appointment up to 100%.

Notes

• For efforts between 25%-50%, tuition/fees must be covered by the funding source that provides the salary (unless prohibited by the sponsor). If it is not allowed by the sponsor, it must be covered by the mentor.
• If GSR effort is below 25%, tuition/fees remission is not covered by the research grant.  Please note, if the GSR is on multiple research grants and their combined effort is between 25%-50% tuition and fees must be covered by the PI and or department.  In those circumstances tuition/fees will be budgeted on each of the research grants. 

Instructions

1. Verify the type (California Resident or Not) and amount of tuition or fees.
2. Use the Graduate Division proposed stipend and fees chart to escalate the tuition and fees each year. 
   • This chart is for California residents. 
   • Use the same percentage to increase non-resident tuition.

Use the Fringe Benefit Rate for Graduate Students.