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The Comparative Health Outcomes, Policy, and Economics (CHOICE) Institute

Funding Opportunities

Doctoral students admitted into the Health Economics & Outcomes Research graduate program are guaranteed funding (e.g. tuition, stipend, benefits) for the first two years of the program. First-year students are always funded by non-service fellowships administered through The CHOICE Institute, School of Pharmacy, or the Graduate School. We also always offer one slot in the UW AHRQ/NRSA Health Services Research Training Program to one incoming PhD student (learn more).  Generally starting Year 2, students will transition to a Research, Teaching, or Staff Assistantship role. Beginning the third year, the responsibility of securing funding shifts fully to the student. Despite this, our program staff and faculty still work closely with all students to help find funding opportunities for the duration of their program. It is extremely rare that a student goes un-funded. The information on this page outlines the many types of funding available the University of Washington for graduate students, as well as a curated list of funding pages and fellowship opportunities.

Types of Funding

Assistantships are a form of paid academic employment in which students receive tuition reimbursement for the tasks they perform for faculty members, departments, or colleges. At the University of Washington, there are three types of graduate student assistantships:

  1. Teaching Assistant: work with students in a classroom, lab, or quiz section setting
  2. Research Assistant: work on research projects; does not involve teaching
  3. Staff Assistant: other types of duties such as, advising or administration

Academic Student Employees (ASEs), which include the above-mentioned graduate student assistantship positions, are covered by the UAW Academic Student Employees (ASEs) contract. The union contract governs policies and procedures for appointments, salary, job definitions and leave time You are encouraged to familiarize yourself with this contract: https://hr.uw.edu/labor/academic-and-student-unions/uaw-ase/ase-contract

During the academic year (autumn, winter, spring), if an appointment is at least 50% FTE and runs for five of the six quarter pay periods, the student is eligible for benefits (tuition/fee payment and health insurance). During summer quarter, if the appointment is at least 50% FTE and runs for two consecutive pay periods, a student is eligible for benefits. FTE is defined as full-time equivalent, meaning that only funding opportunities listed with 50% of this equivalence are eligible for tuition and healthcare benefits. Funding appointments that total less than 50% FTE only pay a salary and do not include tuition coverage or health insurance. At UW, full-time employment is considered 40-working hours per week, meaning 50% FTE is 20-working hours per week. 25% FTE is 10-working hours per week.

Many of our students combine funding opportunities to maximize possible benefits. For example, it is common for students to undertake two separate 25% FTE positions in order to qualify for tuition benefits. Both roles do not have to be from the same department (e.g. Pharmacy and Global Health could each offer you 25% FTE roles). This is perfectly acceptable. If you are planning on combining roles outside of CHOICE, you will need to consult with that individual hiring Department on any specific rules or regulations.

Insurance is provided through the Graduate Appointee Insurance Program (GAIP). Your offer letter from the hiring department will confirm the length of employment, salary and benefits eligibility.

In order to hold an Assistantship position on campus, students are required to adhere to the enrollment policies outlined in Executive Order 28. Students employed in an assistantship position are required to enroll in a minimum of ten credits in autumn, winter, and spring quarters and in a minimum of two credits during summer quarter. If there are exceptional circumstances that meet the listed criteria, students can file a Petition for Reduced Enrollment. If approved, this provides students the opportunity to maintain employment while enrolled in fewer than the required number of credits.

CHOICE Institute ASE positions are paid at the Regular (Non-Variable) or General/Base Rate. Doctoral students are paid at the Intermediate level when admitted to the program. Once a student passes their General Exam and advances to Candidacy, they will be promoted to the Candidate pay rate. This pay increase will be effective the first payroll date in the quarter following their advancement to candidacy. The current ASE salary rates are posted to the Graduate School website: https://facstaff.grad.uw.edu/advising-resources/funding-management/administering-assistantships/ta-ra-salaries/

Research Assistantships

Faculty conducting independent research generally have competitive research assistant positions.  Research Assistant (RA) appointments are generally effective fall quarter through spring quarter. The standard appointment is at 50%, which is equivalent to 20 hours of work per week. All other specifications about RA positions are outlined above. Summer appointments are occasionally available. Students may either enroll in credits over the summer in an RA position and remain a salaried employee, or not enroll and work as an hourly RA. Review Article 25 – Summer Non-registered Graduate Research Student Assistant for more information.

RA opportunities are circulated via the Dopgradspds email list-serv, but we encourage students to be proactive on their funding search. To find an RA position, start by talking with CHOICE core and adjunct faculty with research interests similar to your own. In addition to core & adjunct faculty, some students have found RA positions with affiliate faculty. You may consider reviewing the bio information and abstracts of articles on PubMed written by faculty members who interest you. The NIH Reporter tool can also be a helpful resource for identifying current research being done by faculty.

Teaching Assistantships

The Department of Pharmacy has a limited number of Teaching Assistant (TA) appointments to award each year. The standard appointment is at 50%, which is equivalent to 20 hours of work per week. If a TA is exceeding 20 hours per week, they should notify the supervising faculty member, who should make the appropriate adjustments. If satisfactory resolution is not achieved, the TA should notify the Director of the Graduate Program.

Typical TA duties include: assistance with the conceptual design of a course; preparing examinations; playing a major role in coordinating the class; grading of written assignments; holding office hours for students; some formal teaching of class; facilitating a small group session as part of a course.

Fellowships

Fellowships are competitive awards that generally do not require work in exchange for the funds. They are intended to fund academic study and research. Fellowships may be offered by departments, the University, the federal government or private agencies.

Every fellowship has different provisions, so take note of what is offered. What is the length of the fellowship? What is the funding level? Does it include insurance or a tuition waiver? Does the funding come to you through the University, or are you paid directly by the funder? Are you permitted to accept other sources of funding simultaneously while receiving the fellowship?

Applying for Fellowships:

Any student looking to apply for any external funding, including fellowships, should work with the Department of Pharmacy Grants and Contracts Manager to prepare the application package and obtain UW approval to submit the application. All Proposals to external sponsors for support of research and research facilities, University-administered traineeships and fellowships, institutes and special teaching programs, and other University activities which are to be supported wholly or partially with non-University funds, shall be submitted on a UW internal proposal routing form (eGC1) and be reviewed by the University of Washington Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP). To request the assistance of the Grants and Contracts Manager, email dpgrants@uw.edu with a link to the opportunity to which you wish you apply. Additional information regarding the University of Washington policy on external funding can be found here: https://www.washington.edu/research/policies/gim-1/

UW Funding Opportunities

Institutional Training Grants:

External Funding