Salary Justification Language

Person months - Is the metric for expressing the effort (amount of time) PI(s), faculty and other senior personnel devote to a specific project. The effort is based on the type of appointment of the individual with the organization; e.g., calendar year (CY), academic year (AY), and/or summer term (SM); and the organization's definition of such.  UNMC uses a 9-month academic year.

How Do You Calculate Person Months?

Conversion of percentage of effort to person months is straight-forward. To calculate person months, multiply the percentage of your effort associated with the project times the number of months of your appointment. For example:

25% of a 9 month academic year appointment equals 2.25 (AY) person months (9 x 0.25= 2.25)  
10% of a 12 month calendar appointment equals 1.2 (CY) person months (12 x 0.10 = 1.2)  
35% of a 3 month summer term appointment equals 1.05 (SM) person months (3 x 0.35= 1.05) 
10% of a 0.5 FTE 12 month appointment equals 0.6 (CY) person months (12 x .5 X .1 = 0.6)

Another example:

If the regular pay schedule of an institution is a 9 month academic year and the PI will devote 9 months at 30% time/effort and 3 months summer term at 30% time/effort to the project, then 2.7 academic months and .9 summer months should be listed in the academic and summer term blocks of the application (9 x 30% = 2.7 person months; 3 x 30%= .9) 

Use the Percent of Time & Effort to Persons Months Calculator

Read more about the Usage of "Person Months" from the NIH FAQ's .  (Information from the NIH Grants Policy website.)

Select Appointment Type to Display Budget Justification Language

Example language to use in budget  justifications for personnel.

Full-Time (12 month appointment)  

UNMC only
Uncapped (NIH at or below the cap, non-NIH) Personnel X will devote X.XX calendar months of a 1.0 FTE appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center toward the goals of this project.
Capped (NIH above the cap) Personnel X will devote X.XX calendar months of a 1.0 FTE appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center toward the goals of this project.  Personnel X’s institutional base salary exceeds the current NIH salary cap; the portion of his/her salary in excess of the cap will be accounted for in accordance with federal policy.

Combined (UNMC & Nebraska Medicine)
Uncapped (NIH at or below the cap, non-NIH) Personnel X will devote X.XX calendar months of a 1.0 FTE appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Nebraska Medicine toward the goals of this project.  UNMC institutional base salary represents combined salary from UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.
Capped (NIH above the cap) Personnel X will devote X.XX calendar months of a 1.0 FTE appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Nebraska Medicine toward the goals of this project.  UNMC institutional base salary represents combined salary from UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.  Personnel X’s institutional base salary exceeds the current NIH salary cap; the portion of his/her salary in excess of the cap will be accounted for in accordance with federal policy.

UNMC only with VA Appointment
Uncapped (NIH at or below the cap, non-NIH) Personnel X will devote X.XX calendar months of a 1.0 FTE appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center toward the goals of this project.  In addition to the 1.0 FTE appointment with UNMC, Personnel X holds an appointment with the Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VA).  This arrangement is defined in a formal UNMC-VA Memorandum of Understanding.  His/her effort on the proposed project reflects his/her UNMC appointment only.
Capped (NIH above the cap) Personnel X will devote X.XX calendar months of a 1.0 FTE appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center toward the goals of this project.  Personnel X’s institutional base salary exceeds the current NIH salary cap; the portion of his/her salary in excess of the cap will be accounted for in accordance with federal policy.  In addition to the 1.0 FTE appointment with UNMC, Personnel X holds an appointment with the Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VA).  This arrangement is defined in a formal UNMC-VA Memorandum of Understanding.  His/her effort on the proposed project reflects his/her UNMC appointment only.

Combined (UNMC & Nebraska Medicine) with VA Appointment
Uncapped (NIH at or below the cap, non-NIH) Personnel X will devote X.XX calendar months of a 1.0 FTE appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Nebraska Medicine toward the goals of this project.  UNMC institutional base salary represents combined salary from UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.  In addition to the 1.0 FTE appointment with UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, Personnel X holds an appointment with the Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VA).  This arrangement is defined in a formal UNMC-VA Memorandum of Understanding.  His/her effort on the proposed project reflects his/her UNMC/Nebraska Medicine appointment only.
Capped (NIH above the cap) Personnel X will devote X.XX calendar months of a 1.0 FTE appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Nebraska Medicine toward the goals of this project.  UNMC institutional base salary represents combined salary from UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.  Personnel X’s institutional base salary exceeds the current NIH salary cap; the portion of his/her salary in excess of the cap will be accounted for in accordance with federal policy.  In addition to the 1.0 FTE appointment with UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, Personnel X holds an appointment with the Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VA).  This arrangement is defined in a formal UNMC-VA Memorandum of Understanding.  His/her effort on the proposed project reflects his/her UNMC/Nebraska Medicine appointment only.
Part-time (12-month appointment)  

UNMC only
Uncapped (NIH at or below the cap, non-NIH) Personnel X will devote X.XX calendar months toward the goals of this project.  Personnel X holds a 0.xx FTE appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  His/her institutional base salary has been annualized to reflect a 1.00 FTE equivalent.
Capped (NIH above the cap) Personnel X will devote X.XX calendar months toward the goals of this project.  Personnel X holds a 0.xx FTE appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  His/her institutional base salary has been annualized to reflect a 1.00 FTE equivalent.  This institutional base salary exceeds the current NIH salary cap; the portion of his/her salary in excess of the cap will be accounted for in accordance with federal policy.

Combined (UNMC & Nebraska Medicine)
Uncapped (NIH at or below the cap, non-NIH) Personnel X will devote X.XX calendar months toward the goals of this project.  Personnel X holds a 0.xx FTE appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Nebraska Medicine.  UNMC institutional base salary represents combined salary from UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.  His/her institutional base salary has been annualized to reflect a 1.00 FTE equivalent.
Capped (NIH above the cap) Personnel X will devote X.XX calendar months toward the goals of this project.  Personnel X holds a 0.xx FTE appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Nebraska Medicine.  UNMC institutional base salary represents combined salary from UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.  His/her institutional base salary has been annualized to reflect a 1.00 FTE equivalent.  This institutional base salary exceeds the current NIH salary cap; the portion of his/her salary in excess of the cap will be accounted for in accordance with federal policy.

UNMC only with VA Appointment
Uncapped (NIH at or below the cap, non-NIH) Personnel X will devote X.XX calendar months toward the goals of this project.  Personnel X holds a 0.xx FTE appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  His/her institutional base salary has been annualized to reflect a 1.00 FTE equivalent.  In addition to his/her appointment with UNMC, Personnel X holds an appointment with the Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VA).  This arrangement is defined in a formal UNMC-VA Memorandum of Understanding.  His/her effort on the proposed project reflects his/her UNMC appointment only.
Capped (NIH above the cap) Personnel X will devote X.XX calendar months toward the goals of this project.  Personnel X holds a 0.xx FTE appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  His/her institutional base salary has been annualized to reflect a 1.00 FTE equivalent.  This institutional base salary exceeds the current NIH salary cap; the portion of his/her salary in excess of the cap will be accounted for in accordance with federal policy.  In addition to his/her appointment with UNMC, Personnel X holds an appointment with the Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VA).  This arrangement is defined in a formal UNMC-VA Memorandum of Understanding.  His/her effort on the proposed project reflects his/her UNMC appointment only.

Combined (UNMC & Nebraska Medicine) with VA Appointment
Uncapped (NIH at or below the cap, non-NIH) Personnel X will devote X.XX calendar months toward the goals of this project.  Personnel X holds a 0.xx FTE appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Nebraska Medicine.  UNMC institutional base salary represents combined salary from UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.  His/her institutional base salary has been annualized to reflect a 1.00 FTE equivalent.  In addition to his/her appointment with UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, Personnel X holds an appointment with the Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VA).  This arrangement is defined in a formal UNMC-VA Memorandum of Understanding.  His/her effort on the proposed project reflects his/her UNMC/Nebraska Medicine appointment only.
Capped (NIH above the cap) Personnel X will devote X.XX calendar months toward the goals of this project.  Personnel X holds a 0.xx FTE appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Nebraska Medicine.  UNMC institutional base salary represents combined salary from UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.  His/her institutional base salary has been annualized to reflect a 1.00 FTE equivalent.  This institutional base salary exceeds the current NIH salary cap; the portion of his/her salary in excess of the cap will be accounted for in accordance with federal policy.  In addition to his/her appointment with UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, Personnel X holds an appointment with the Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VA).  This arrangement is defined in a formal UNMC-VA Memorandum of Understanding.  His/her effort on the proposed project reflects his/her UNMC/Nebraska Medicine appointment only.
Academic Year Appointment (9-month Appointment)  

UNMC only
Uncapped (NIH at or below the cap, non-NIH) Personnel X will devote X.XX academic months and X.XX summer months toward the goals of this project.  Personnel X holds a nine-month appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  His/her institutional base salary has been annualized to reflect a twelve-month equivalent.
Capped (NIH above the cap) Personnel X will devote X.XX academic months and X.XX summer months toward the goals of this project.  Personnel X holds a nine-month appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  His/her institutional base salary has been annualized to reflect a twelve-month equivalent.  This institutional base salary exceeds the current NIH salary cap; the portion of his/her salary in excess of the cap will be accounted for in accordance with federal policy.

Combined (UNMC & Nebraska Medicine)
Uncapped (NIH at or below the cap, non-NIH) Personnel X will devote X.XX academic months and X.XX summer months toward the goals of this project.  Personnel X holds a nine-month appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Nebraska Medicine.  UNMC institutional base salary represents combined salary from UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.  His/her institutional base salary has been annualized to reflect a twelve-month equivalent.
Capped (NIH above the cap) Personnel X will devote X.XX academic months and X.XX summer months toward the goals of this project.  Personnel X holds a nine-month appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Nebraska Medicine.  UNMC institutional base salary represents combined salary from UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.  His/her institutional base salary has been annualized to reflect a twelve-month equivalent.  This institutional base salary exceeds the current NIH salary cap; the portion of his/her salary in excess of the cap will be accounted for in accordance with federal policy.

UNMC only with VA Appointment
Uncapped (NIH at or below the cap, non-NIH) Personnel X will devote X.XX academic months and X.XX summer months toward the goals of this project.  Personnel X holds a nine-month appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  His/her institutional base salary has been annualized to reflect a twelve-month equivalent.  In addition to his/her appointment with UNMC, Personnel X holds an appointment with the Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VA).  This arrangement is defined in a formal UNMC-VA Memorandum of Understanding.  His/her effort on the proposed project reflects his/her UNMC appointment only.
Capped (NIH above the cap) Personnel X will devote X.XX academic months and X.XX summer months toward the goals of this project.  Personnel X holds a nine-month appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  His/her institutional base salary has been annualized to reflect a twelve-month equivalent.  This institutional base salary exceeds the current NIH salary cap; the portion of his/her salary in excess of the cap will be accounted for in accordance with federal policy.  In addition to his/her appointment with UNMC, Personnel X holds an appointment with the Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VA).  This arrangement is defined in a formal UNMC-VA Memorandum of Understanding.  His/her effort on the proposed project reflects his/her UNMC appointment only.

Combined (UNMC & Nebraska Medicine) with VA Appointment
Uncapped (NIH at or below the cap, non-NIH) Personnel X will devote X.XX academic months and X.XX summer months toward the goals of this project.  Personnel X holds a nine-month appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Nebraska Medicine.  UNMC institutional base salary represents combined salary from UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.  His/her institutional base salary has been annualized to reflect a twelve-month equivalent.  In addition to his/her appointment with UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, Personnel X holds an appointment with the Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VA).  This arrangement is defined in a formal UNMC-VA Memorandum of Understanding.  His/her effort on the proposed project reflects his/her UNMC/Nebraska Medicine appointment only.
Capped (NIH above the cap) Personnel X will devote X.XX academic months and X.XX summer months toward the goals of this project.  Personnel X holds a nine-month appointment with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Nebraska Medicine.  UNMC institutional base salary represents combined salary from UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.  His/her institutional base salary has been annualized to reflect a twelve-month equivalent.  This institutional base salary exceeds the current NIH salary cap; the portion of his/her salary in excess of the cap will be accounted for in accordance with federal policy.  In addition to his/her appointment with UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, Personnel X holds an appointment with the Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VA).  This arrangement is defined in a formal UNMC-VA Memorandum of Understanding.  His/her effort on the proposed project reflects his/her UNMC/Nebraska Medicine appointment only.