Current Trainee Resources/Information

CVM has weekly research seminars for students in the Comparative and Molecular Biosciences (CMB) / Veterinary Sciences graudate programs. That said, T32 trainees (degree-seeking or not) are more than welcome to attend! They are held in the Veterinary Sciences building, room 215 at noon. 

Click here to view the seminar topics/schedule for the upcoming Fall 2025 semester.

VCS Grand Rounds is a series of educational presentations where faculty, residents, and invited experts discuss clinical cases, research updates, and advancements in veterinary medicine. It serves as a valuable forum for collaborative learning, professional development, and staying current with best practices in the field.

Click here to view the schedule for the upcoming 2025 - 2026 academic year.

$1,000 per year is allotted to each trainee for travel to present the research findings at a national research conference. 

To request approval to use these funds, complete and submit this form. This form will ask you to provide the following information:

• Name, dates, and location for the conference/development activity

• If you will be presenting your research at the conference/development activity

• Information/rationale for how attending the conference/development activitiy will benefit the your translational research training or future research career development

PLEASE NOTE: Typically the T32 program can prepay for your airfare and conference registration fees (if applicable). Other expenses (e.g., meals/per diems, ground transportation) must be paid by the trainee upfront and will be reimbursed after the travel is completed.

While university policy requires that travel receipts and justification be submitted in the UMN financial system within 60 days of your return, CVM strongly recommends submitting your reimbursement documentation within 30 days. This allows time to address any questions from finance or make necessary adjustments. Click here to get an estimate of when your reimbursement would be due for specific travel dates. For a prime on how to submit your reimbursement expenses in the UMN's financial system, click here.

Click here to view the T32 Orientation slide deck, which reviews information related to:

• Program expectations

• Appointment/HR information

• Publication requirements

• Much more!

Click here for a refresher on the T32 trainee expectations. 

If you have questions about any of the items, you can reach out to your mentor or contact the T32 PI, Dr. Eva Furrow, at furro004@umn.edu.

Vacations and holidays

• • Trainees receive the same paid UMN holidays and vacation as other graduate trainees.

  • This includes 12 paid holidays, 10 vacation days.

  • Trainees will continue to receive stipends during vacations and holidays. 

  • At academic institutions, the time between semesters is generally considered to be an active part of the training period.

Sick leave

• Trainees may continue to receive stipends for up to 15 calendar days of sick leave per year. 

• Under exceptional circumstances, this period may be extended by the NIH awarding office in response to a written request from the training PD countersigned by an Authorized Organizational Official (meaning, someone from the UMN’s sponsored projects’ office). 

• Sick leave may be used for the medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Trainees are expected to provide their mentor with advance notice of planned vacations. While the T32 program does not formally track vacation time, you may choose to do so. If you click here, you will find a sample tracking document that you may copy and use for your own internal record keeping.

Effectively communicating science to lay audiences is essential for building public trust, influencing policy, and ensuring that research findings lead to real-world impact. When scientists can explain their work in clear, relatable ways, it bridges the gap between discovery and understanding, empowering communities to make informed decisions. Strong science communication also helps secure public support for continued research funding. 

Here are some resources to help you start developing your science communication skills!

• Recorded seminar "Science Communication Tips for Non-expert Audiences": CVM presentation given by Dr. Jessica Knight, Research Communications Specialist (June 2025)

• UMN's Speaking Science annual event: Speaking Science launched in 2018 after a conversation between colleagues highlighted an opportunity for the University of Minnesota science communications community to gather for networking and shared learning. Over the years, Speaking Science has had several different iterations including keynote presentations, one-day conferences, and stand-alone sessions. If you'd like to attend (and have your entrance fee paid for!), please contact Shannon Kasperson at kaspe110@umn.edu. 

• Recorded workshop "Developing Your Message": CVM presentation given by Dr. Molly McCue, CVM faculty (June 2022)

• Recorded workshop "Best Practices for Data Visualization": CVM presentation given by Dr. Molly McCue, CVM faculty (June 2022)

• Recorded workshop "Best Practices for Developing a Scientific Infographic": CVM presentation given by Shannon Kasperson, Research Office Administrative Director (June 2022)

• Click here to view NIH-provided information about their loan payment eligiblity rules.

• Click here to view a slide deck from an NIH presentation titled, "NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Program and Other Funding Opportunities for Veterinarian Scientists". (from 2021)

NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education (OITE)

• Click here to view a slide deck from an NIH-sponsored training titled, "Resilience in the Job Search, Work, and in Life".

• Click here to view a slide deck from an NIH-sponsored training titled, "Job Search - Strategies to Find a Career".