MARC provides significant financial support so scholars can focus fully on their research training. Below you will find details on what the program covers, how funding interacts with financial aid, and important federal policies that apply to all NIH-funded trainees.
What Scholars Receive
All MARC scholars receive the following support for the duration of their two-year training appointment:
| Support Type | Annual Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Stipend | Up to $14,628 per year | Paid quarterly |
| Tuition Support | Up to $10,324 per year | See FAFSA section below |
| Conference Travel | Funded annually up to $1,000 | Registration, travel, lodging |
| Extramural Summer Research | Funded | Amount varies |
Continuation of all funding depends on satisfactory performance in the program and continued availability of funds from the NIH.
Financial Aid and FAFSA
MARC is a merit-based fellowship funded through a National Research Service Award (NRSA) training grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Students are encouraged to apply regardless of their current financial aid package. However, there are a few important things to know about how MARC funding interacts with financial aid.
FAFSA is Required
All MARC applicants and current scholars must submit a FAFSA application each year, regardless of whether you currently receive need-based aid. The partial tuition grant provided by MARC is determined in coordination with your financial aid award package. Without a current FAFSA on file, the program cannot process your tuition support.
Your Aid Package May Be Adjusted
The MARC stipend is considered “aid received” by the UCI Office of Financial Aid. This means your existing financial aid package may be recalculated to ensure that total support does not exceed your assessed financial need. This is a standard requirement for all federally funded training programs and is not specific to MARC.
Questions? Contact the UCI Office of Financial Aid directly for questions about how MARC funding would interact with your current or future awards. The MARC Assistant Director can also help you understand what to expect.
Concurrent Awards and Federal Policies
Because MARC is funded by the NIH through an NRSA training grant, federal rules govern what other awards scholars may hold at the same time. These rules exist to prevent duplication of federal funding, not to limit your opportunities.
Awards That Cannot Be Held Concurrently
A MARC traineeship may not be held at the same time as another federally funded traineeship or fellowship that provides a stipend or duplicates the provisions of an NRSA. Examples include:
- Another NIH-funded fellowship or training appointment
- A Truman Scholarship
- Any other federal program that provides a living stipend for research training
Awards That Can Be Held Concurrently
MARC scholars may receive the following without conflict:
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs educational benefits (such as the G.I. Bill)
- Federal student loans (these are not considered duplicative funding)
Not sure? If you are unsure whether a current or pending award would conflict with MARC, contact the MARC Assistant Director, riadr@uciedu, for guidance before accepting or declining any offers.
Stipend Supplementation
UCI is permitted to provide funds to a MARC trainee in addition to the stipend paid by the NIH. These additional amounts may take the form of augmented stipends (supplementation) or compensation for services, such as teaching assistantships or other campus employment.
Important guidelines:
- Supplementation, when provided, does not create any additional obligation for the scholar.
- No federal funds may be used for supplementation.
- Under no circumstances may the conditions of stipend supplementation interfere with, detract from, or prolong the scholar’s approved NRSA training program.
In practice, this means that if you hold a campus position or receive additional institutional support, it must not reduce the time you spend on your MARC research and training commitments.