Combined Award Policy

If a student applies to a funding agency outside the university and is awarded a fellowship under their name, the student may receive combined compensation from the outside fellowship and their Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA), up to 130% of the standard GSBS stipend level (effective Fall 2023: maximum of $46,800 per year). Examples of qualifying outside fellowships include the National Institutes of Health (NIH) F grant and National Science Foundation (NSF) grant. The following types of fellowship or grant awards are not eligible for the Combined Award Policy: GSBS internal fellowships, administrative supplement awards, and appointments to CPRIT or NIH training grants awarded to the institution.

The advisor has the discretion of providing combined compensation between the standard GSBS stipend level (effective Fall 2023: $36,000 per year) and up to 130% of that level (effective Fall 2023: $46,800 per year) during the duration of the student’s outside fellowship. Documentation must be provided to GSBS (e.g., Notice of Award). If the advisor provides combined compensation to the student, the additional amount must come from unrestricted funds. At the end of the outside fellowship, the student’s stipend must return to the GSBS stipend level at the time that the outside fellowship ends.

If the amount of the outside fellowship is, by itself, greater than the 130% limit, the student is permitted to accept and use the fellowship regardless of the amount provided. In such a case, the student may not hold a GRA, nor may the outside fellowship be supplemented by other funds.

International students who are not U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents may be restricted by the terms of their visa, and should consult with their advisor at the UTHealth Houston Office of International Affairs.