Policy Number: 12000.014
Unit: Grants and Contracts
1.0 Policy Statement
Stipend payments to support training are only issued when explicitly identified in the proposal and approved budget of an award notice. Stipend costs are classified as Participant Support Costs and are exempt from indirect cost recovery.
2.0 Purpose
This policy is based upon the requirements and policies outlined in the National Science Foundation’s policy and procedures guide to ensure compliance with sponsor regulations.
3.0 Definition
3.1 Participant – A participant is an individual who receives a service or training opportunity from a workshop, conference, seminar, symposium or other short-term instructional or information sharing activity funded by a sponsored award. A participant may be a Jackson State University student, a student or faculty from another institution, a private sector company representative, a K-12 teacher, or a state or local government agency employee.
3.2 Participant Support Costs – Participant support costs are direct costs for items such as stipends or subsistence and travel allowances, registration fees for participants or trainees, participant allowance, supplies, per diem, travel expenses, and/or registration fees paid to or on behalf of a participant in connection with a meeting, workshop, conference, symposium or training project conducted under the award.
3.3 Stipend – Direct payments issued to a participant under a fellowship or training grant in accordance with pre-established levels of funding to defray educational expenses during the period of training. A stipend is not considered compensation for the services expected of an employee.
4.0 Additional Information
4.1 The recipient of a stipend is classified as a participant or trainee, not an employee.
4.2 The awarding department or Principal Investigator is responsible for ensuring that participants meet and fulfill all the eligibility requirements for receiving a University stipend award.
4.3 Terms and conditions must be communicated to the recipient and outlined in the award letter signed by the recipient and the Principal Investigator.