Level-Up Grant FAQ

Last updated on 08/15/2022

• Can I use the Level-Up Grant for 0.2 release in the fall or spring semesters?

  • Assigned Time buyout is not allowed for the Level-Up grant. Faculty can request summer salary of up to $5,000 in either June or July (not both).

• I would like to contract a private consultant for their services with my RSCA project. Is that allowed?

  • Yes. Note, however, that any payments to consultants are not intended as payments to the faculty themselves. 

• Can we budget funds to buy gift cards for rewarding participation in our experiments?

  • Yes. Gift cards may be used as an incentive to encourage participation in research, if required for your RSCA project. Please note:
    (1) Remember to seek IRB approval, and 
    (2) You must clearly document the incentives for your RSCA project in your budget proposal. Your department admin will be able to purchase them using the department procurement card on your behalf. The following backup documentation is required for audit purchases:
    * A copy of the proposal or project where the reason for purchase is detailed
    * Incentives and amounts
    * Estimates of participants

• Can I submit more than one Level-Up application either for different lines of research or to the two different categories?

  • No. You may only submit one application to the Level-Up grant as the PI.

• Can I submit an application to the Level-Up as PI and also be a Co-PI on another Level-Up application?

  • Yes. Be sure your role as Co-PI is well-integrated into the project and will advance your probability to get future RSCA funding in a different way than the work on the Level-Up proposal for which you are PI.

• I have RSCA activity that was not funded. Does that count to be eligible to apply for the Level-Up grant, or should I instead apply to the RSCA Seed Grant?

  • If you have not had any funded RSCA (internally or externally), the RSCA Seed would be the better choice, as the Level-Up focuses on collaborative projects and typically collaborative target RFPs which are more likely to be successfully funded if you can show funding as a single PI first.

• I budgeted for a summer fellowship. When can I expect to receive my check?

  • The Payroll department processes summer fellowships during the following pay period (e.g. a July fellowship will be processed in early August). If you are on direct deposit, you will receive payment electronically while paper checks will be released to your department admin. 

• ​Is the summer fellowship taxable?​

  • ​Yes. The summer fellowship is considered taxable income is taxed as follows:
    * Federal tax: 22%
    * State tax: 6.6%
    * Social Security and Medicare: 7.65%
    
    If you have any question about your check once you receive it, please contact your Payroll Representative.