BrightPath Mansfield Child Care Fellowship
The BrightPath Mansfield Child Care Fellowship provides up to 20 weeks of free, full-time daycare to Institute-affiliated graduate students, to be used within the first year of their child’s life.
Program Overview
The fellowship program is designed to support Institute affiliates who become new parents while they are graduate students. Two fellowships will be available each year. The fellowships are possible thanks to a generous gift from BrightPath.
Each fellowship comprises:
- Ten weeks of free daycare provided by BrightPath, to be used at the Mansfield location.
- Ten weeks of free childcare services, supported with funds from IBACS, to be used at BrightPath or a daycare center of the student’s choosing (reimbursement capped at the rates charged by BrightPath).
Eligibility and Conditions
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be an IBACS-affiliated student enrolled in a UConn graduate program leading to a doctoral degree. Priority will be given to graduate students affiliated with the Institute for one or more years.
Conditions for Fellowship Recipients
The infant must begin using the fellowship benefits before their first birthday.
Important Tax Information
Fellowship payments are subject to federal and state income taxes. Recipients will be responsible for any income taxes resulting from this fellowship.
It is your sole responsibility to report and pay taxes on the taxable portion of any fellowship, stipend, award, or grant they receive. Please be advised that fellowship payments used for travel, supplies, or equipment for your independent research are not exempt from taxation.
Fellowship payments, although taxable, are not subject to income tax withholding if paid to a U.S. citizen or resident alien. Consistent with IRS guidance, the University does not withhold taxes on the taxable portion of fellowships, stipends, awards, or grants except in limited circumstances involving nonresident aliens.
If you are a nonresident alien, federal income taxes may be required to be withheld from your payment unless you qualify for exemption by way of an income tax treaty between the United States and your country of tax residence. You may wish to consider making estimated federal and state income tax payments.
You may find additional details and answers to many frequently asked questions on the following websites:
Become an Affiliate
The BrightPath Mansfield Child Care Fellowship is open only to graduate students affiliated with the Institute. If you are not currently an IBACS affiliate, please complete the affiliate membership form before applying.
How to Apply
Required Materials
All applicants must complete and submit the BrightPath Mansfield Child Care Fellowship Application by the deadline. Applications may be submitted prior to the child's birth to aid in planning for daycare needs. Applicants are notified generally within a month of submission.
Review Criteria
Awardees will be chosen based on meeting eligibility requirements and need. Evidence of need may include financial circumstances, lack of available family members to help, or partner/spouse occupation. Decisions are final, and IBACS reserves the right to not make an award.
Key Dates
Applications for the fellowship are accepted on a rolling basis. The application will close once funds are exhausted for the academic year. The Institute typically awards two fellowships each year.
Application Status: Closed for the 2024-2025 academic year. Application will re-open 08/25/2025.
Contact Us
For questions about the fellowship or the application process, please email ibacs@uconn.edu or contact the IBACS Program Coordinator.