Department of Human Genetics

Financial Resources

Carl Thummel, Director of Graduate Studies (EIHG 5200)
Natalie Johnson, Human Genetics Program Manager for Grad. Student Affairs (EIHG 2100)

 

Provided that the student's progress and performance are considered satisfactory by his/her Supervisory Committee, the Department is committed to providing support for graduate students throughout their tenure in the department. Support from any source, however, will not be permitted after seven years at the University (1 year in the combined program and six years in one or more Department).

Current Stipend and Tuition Waiver

The current stipend is $26,000 annual, with a full tuition waiver for each semester.  The stipend amount is set by the Molecular Biology Program.  If not a resident of the state of Utah, students must apply for residency as soon as they have completed 40 graduate credit hours, in order to obtain the reduced in-state tuition (see Natalie Johnson).  Students who do not apply for residency will be responsible for paying their own tuition. See ‘Tuition Benefit Program’ below.

Other Employment

Students are not allowed to engage in other employment while in the graduate program.

Health Insurance

Health coverage through the University of Utah Student Health Policy will be provided for all students.  Students should talk with Natalie if they are interested in family coverage. Students may waive the right to use the University health insurance policy if they are covered by another form of insurance (e.g. through a spouse). Under these circumstances, the money that would normally be used to provide insurance for these students will be returned to general department funds in support of graduate student education.

Travel funds

Students can apply for travel funds from the Human Genetics Department.  These amounts do not exceed $500, are awarded in cases where the student will travel to a meeting to present their research (i.e. a poster or talk), and are provided once per fiscal year (starting 7/1).  A travel request form should be obtained from Natalie and returned to her with the appropriate information. If the request is approved, the student must arrange their travel through the Human Genetics Dept office.  These arrangements should be made at least a month in advance of departure. Note that the Graduate School offers travel awards that will match the amount from the Department (www.utah.edu/gradschool). Please be aware that the Graduate School has a set amount available for travel each month and when it’s been awarded, it’s gone.  The earlier you’re able to apply for these matching funds, the more likely you’ll be able to receive that award.

Fellowships, Grants, Awards

All graduate students in the Human Genetics Department are expected to apply for fellowships and grants during the course of their stay in the department. If outside fellowships or awards are secured, the department will fund the difference between the two supports, but the total will not exceed that of the standard graduate student stipend.  If the total fellowship exceeds that of the current stipend, no additional stipend will be paid to the student by the department.

Applying for independent fellowship support is good training that allows students to think about their projects in terms of a fundable research project.  These awards also free up funds that are normally used for graduate student support, allowing that money to be put to other uses that will benefit students in the department.  Finally, this is an excellent way to enrich the student’s CV.  Below is some information regarding the funding sources that are available. Be sure to tell Natalie if you are awarded a fellowship or a slot on a training grant so that she can change your funding status and avoid problems with your stipend.

Predoctoral Fellowships

The NIH and a number of private funding organizations, such as the American Heart Association, offer predoctoral fellowships. Talk with your advisor if you are interested in applying for these funding opportunities. There are also two highly prestigious (and competitive) awards that are available to second year domestic graduate students and second and third year International Students.  They are listed below:

1. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce in the United States. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees in fields within NSF's mission. The GRFP provides three years of support for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant achievements in science and engineering research. The ranks of NSF Fellows include numerous individuals who have made transformative breakthroughs in science and engineering research, many who have become leaders in their chosen careers, and some who have been honored as Nobel laureates.
More information can be found online at:
Homepage - NSF Graduate Research Fellowships Program (GRFP)

2. Howard Hughes Medical Institute International Student Research Fellowships
Students eligible for nomination are international graduate students in the biomedical or related sciences who have demonstrated exceptional talent for research, are in the second (or third) year of graduate study, have entered a laboratory in which they will conduct their dissertation research, and are not U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, or permanent residents of the U.S. For details of the fellowship and selection process, see http://www.hhmi.org/grants/individuals/intl_fellows.html
The University of Utah Graduate School will select up to 7 students to make full applications to HHMI. Contact the Graduate School for more information.

 

There are also several funding opportunities that are more broadly available to students. All students should consider applying to the following:

1. NIH Training Grants are available to Human Genetics graduate students.  The ones that have supported most students in our Department are: Genetics, Developmental Biology, and Cancer (also called MCRPT). Students, however, are also supported by other Training Grants, including Microbial Pathogenesis, Metabolism, Neuroscience, and Hematology.  These training grants advertise on a regular basis for new trainees - keep an eye on the bulletin boards.  Trainees are selected based on applications that are submitted to an advisory committee. Training Grants are usually restricted to students that have passed their preliminary exam.  These NIH-supported training grants require that trainees be a US citizen, US noncitizen national, or a permanent resident.  In addition to stipend support, the training grants provide money for travel to meetings, journal subscriptions, and other material that enhances the student’s education.  There are also annual retreats supported by the training grants that provide additional opportunities for training and for meeting colleagues in other departments.  In many cases, students who are not supported by the grant can attend these retreats and find out more about their community and about funding opportunities.

2. Graduate Research Fellowships ($15,000 + tuition) are awarded each year by the University.  Our department has been able to secure 1-2 of these per year.  Students should apply for these!  These also provide a good source of income for outstanding foreign students who are not eligible for NIH Training Grant support. Information can be found at: http://www.gradschool.utah.edu/tbp/finassist.php#fellowships.  These applications should be submitted to the Office of Sponsored Projects.

3. Graduate Research Supplemental Travel Awards are offered by the University.  This provides up to $400 for students to attend a scientific meeting to present their research as a match to the departmental travel award.  Approx 250 awards are made annually, campus wide. Instructions that can also be found on the Graduate School’s website: http://www.gradschool.utah.edu/index.php.

More information on funding opportunities for students can be obtained from the Graduate School Office in the Park Building (1-7642), or from Natalie or Carl Thummel.