NIH “Career Development Awards”, commonly known as ‘K Awards’, normally require that recipients commit/devote a minimum percentage of effort toward the objectives of the award. This percentage of minimum effort is normally defined at 75%. Therefore, during budget preparations, it is important to understand these requirements to determine the necessary effort commitments and maximum salary that may be charged.

The University may supplement the NIH salary contribution up to a level that is consistent with the institution's salary scale; however, supplementation may not be from federal funds unless specifically authorized by the federal program from which such funds are derived. Because the salary amount provided by these awards is based on the full-time institutional salary, funds from other NIH awards may not be used for salary supplementation without prior written approval from NIH. University supplementation of salary must not require extra duties or responsibilities that would interfere with the purpose of the K award and the minimum amount of effort that has been committed through acceptance of the K award. Be certain to keep these minimum effort requirements in mind when certifying effort on K award activities.

For more information about “K” Awards, visit http://grants.nih.gov/training/careerdevelopmentawards.htm or contact Mike Ludwick for proposal budgeting issues at 4-4270 or via e-mail at mpl7d@virginia.edu; Andrew Bedotto for effort reporting issues at 4-3852 or via e-mail at ab3ah@virginia.edu. In the School of Medicine you can also contact Stewart Craig in the Office of Grants and Contracts Administration at 2-3967.