NIH NRSA Childcare Benefit

In March 2021, NIH announced that they would begin providing childcare cost support to NIH NRSA fellows.  In September 2021, NIH announced that they would begin providing childcare cost support to full-time NIH predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees on NRSA institutional training grants.  In May 2024, NIH announced they will raise the childcare subsidy from $2,500 to $3,000.  Effective April 25, 2025, annual childcare costs ($3,000) will be provided for 25% of the full-time predoctoral or postdoctoral trainee slots on NRSA institutional research training grants. 

NOTE:  This does not include Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) fellows/trainees.  

Applies to full time pre/postdoc fellows and trainees supported on F30, F31, F32, or F33 awards, and T32, TL1, TU2, and T90 awards.

Each trainee/fellow is eligible to receive $3,000 per 12-month appointment period.  Multiple reimbursement requests may be submitted as services are provided during the appointment period.  The Department is expected to ensure that payments do not exceed the budgeted amount and are incurred within the appropriate period, and to maintain back-up documentation.  All payments need to be paid within the employee's appointment dates.  

Review RSP’s NIH NRSA Childcare Benefit for full processing details.  

Reimbursement Process

The trainee/fellow completes and submits the childcare services provided letter (linked in the Process Overview Sections of RSP’s NIH NRSA Childcare Benefit copy of provider’s state license or certificate, and receipts to the departmental administrator no later than 30 days before the appointment end date and budget period. 

The supervisor completes the “For University Use Only” section of the letter and forwards the letter to HRBP. 

HRBP:  Complete One Time Payment (OTP) - Workday, using the following information:

Subject line (Add’l Pay Request – LAST NAME, FIRST NAME, eff MM/DD/YY, CODE)

• Effective Date(s):  Payroll Period in which completed documentation is received by HRBP.   
• Amount :  $3000
• Funding Details:  Departmental Funding noted on the form (will need Cost Center, Fund, Function)
• Attachment:  Upload completed Childcare Services Provided Letter.
• OPT Payment:  NIH_NRSA Childcare Benefit

In February of each year, the Payroll Manager/Leads will send the required supplemental tax-reporting letter to the employee, cc’ing the HRBP.  The HRBP should file the supplemental tax-reporting letter in ImageNow.