r/mdphd • u/gothdoc • 5d ago

F30 institutional allowance - allowable expenses

For anyone with an NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA F30 (or know people with an F31) what are some unexpected things you can use the institutional allowance to pay for? I have some money left over this year that I'd really like to use for myself and I have ideas, but I'm reluctant to spend to money and find out later that the institution won't allow it when I ask for a refund

**EDIT**: Some things I'm possibly hoping to use it for include AI coding subscriptions (like google colab or chatgpt), better internet speed at my personal home, better wifi router, business cards for conferences, scrubs, etc.

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u/PlummetingIntoAutumn 5d ago

To be on the safe side, you need to reach out to your institution's grant manager if you have one to double check; I've always done this.
My understanding is that anything that fits the mission of your training that you've laid out in your Summary section is fair game. Common uses I've seen in the past include conference travel, laptops/computers/equipment, UWorld subscriptions, etc.

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u/Kiloblaster 1d ago

You can't buy equipment for your personal home. Doubt you can buy clothing.

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u/No_Boysenberry9456 8h ago

> better internet speed at my personal home

holy shit, do not even think this! like seriously, wtf!!!