Training Grant Scholarship Program (TGSP)

Description

The Graduate Dean and VP for Research and Innovation are pleased to announce the inaugural call for the Training Grant Scholarship Program (TGSP)!

The goal for the Training Grant Scholarship Program is to augment the capped stipends for those fellows who are supported by competitive federal training grants (to include NIH T32, F31, HRSA, AHRQ, and eligible CDC training grants) that provide SDSU tuition, fees, and stipend support. If the training grant has a stipend capped at less than $37,000 per year, SDSU will fund the difference (see guidelines below).

Expectations for Stipend Augmentation

• A maximum of $9,000 per year is available for each student, as needed to bring the stipend to $37,000 annually.
• Students may receive this additional support for up to two years under a given training grant mechanism (PI will have to resubmit this form for a second year of supplemental funding).
• The stipend supplement will take the form of a (non-employment based) scholarship disbursed in two installments—one at the beginning of the fall semester and one at the beginning of the spring semester.
• Students must be enrolled in one or more classes at SDSU (not on Leave of Absence) each fall and spring semester.
• Students must remain in Graduate Student Good Standing as defined in the online Catalog.

IMPORTANT: These funds cannot be paired with other College of Graduate Studies award programs (i.e., UGF). 

Each Training Grant PI (also known as a “primary sponsor” for NIH F31) must nominate eligible students (as defined above) prior to August 15, 2026* for awards that will be disbursed in the upcoming fall term. 

*The form will be open in July-August for Cycle I awards and in December for Cycle II and III cycle awards.

The award will be split between the start of the fall and spring semesters. The College of Graduate Studies and Division of Research and Innovation will verify eligibility (Graduate Student Good Standing, funding mechanism) and coordinate award processing with the appropriate campus offices.

Students, discuss this opportunity with your faculty mentor. Nominations must be submitted by the faculty mentor.

Nomination and Evaluation Criteria

Student Eligibility

• Student must be a graduate student enrolled stateside at SDSU
• Student must be enrolled in course units at SDSU during the time of the award
  • No Leave of Absence or Partner Campus forms of study
  • If a student goes on a Leave of Absence, the award will be cancelled
  • If a student drops enrollment, the award will be cancelled
• Student must be receiving training grant support for the upcoming year (including SDSU tuition, fees, and stipend support)
• Student must be in Graduate Student Good Standing (academic and professional)
• The Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities (CSRR) and the student’s home college will be consulted to ensure that the student is in compliance with the Student Code of Conduct and/or their program’s Graduate Professional Standards.
  • Award nominees and current awardees: A nomination or award is subject to being deemed ineligible if (a) it is determined by CSRR that the student is in violation of the Student Code of Conduct and/or (b) if the program notifies the College of Graduate Studies that the student has violated their program’s Graduate Professional Standards

Mentor Eligibility

Must be the PI (or primary sponsor) of the training grant supporting the student for the upcoming year.

Exclusions

The TGSP cannot be paired with other CGS award programs (i.e., UGF).

Review Process

After the close of the TGSP nomination period, the College of Graduate Studies and Division of Research and Innovation will confirm each student's eligibility and the availability of funds with SDSU Research Foundation.

Guidelines

• Students may receive this additional support for up to two years under a given training grant mechanism (PI will have to resubmit this form for a second year of supplemental funding).
• Nominations are to be submitted by the training grant PI or faculty sponsor on behalf of their student(s).
• Funds will not be dispersed until the awardee and mentor complete a form confirming acceptance.

Nomination Links

• Link to TGSP 2026-2027 Google Form Nomination
• Pdf of TGSP 2026-2027 Google Form Nomination (for reference only)

Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions.