The BrightPath Mansfield Child Care Fellowship (formerly Educational Playcare Fellowship) provides up to 20 weeks of free, full-time daycare to IBACS-affiliated students, to be used within the first year of their child’s life. The fellowship is intended to support students who become new parents during their graduate studies, and to facilitate their return to their studies/research.  Two fellowships will be available each year. The fellowship is made available through a generous gift from BrightPath.

Details:  Each fellowship is comprised of 10 weeks of free daycare provided by BrightPath, to be used at the Mansfield (downtown Storrs) location, and 10 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:  Any IBACS-affiliated student can apply who is registered as a graduate student on a program of study leading to a doctoral degree.  Preference will be given to those who have been affiliated with IBACS for 1 year or more.  The infant must begin using the fellowship benefits before their first birthday.

To apply:  This application is now closed and will re-open on July 1st, 2024.

Please complete and submit the application form and up to 1-page of description of need to Crystal Mills (crystal.mills@uconn.edu).  Applications may be submitted prior to the birth of the child to aid in planning for daycare needs. A decision will generally be made within 1 month of receipt of the application.

Awardees will be chosen based on meeting eligibility requirements and need.  Evidence of need may include, but is not limited to, financial circumstances, lack of available family members to help, partner/spouse occupation, or other circumstances that indicate need for assistance with child care. Decisions on award are final, and IBACS reserve the right not to make an award.

Questions about the fellowship or application/selection process can be directed to Crystal Mills at crystal.mills@uconn.edu.

Important Tax information: Please note the following general terms that apply to fellowship payments in general:

Fellowship payments are subject to federal and state income taxes unless the payment is used to pay for qualified tuition and required enrollment fees.  You will be personally responsible for any income taxes resulting from the receipt of this fellowship payment.  You should be advised that fellowship payments used to pay for travel, supplies or equipment used in 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.  It is the sole responsibility of the student to report and pay taxes on the taxable portion of any fellowship, stipend, award or grant that he/she receives. 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.  Fellowship recipients may wish to consider making estimated federal and state income tax payments.

Additional details, and answers to many frequently asked questions, may be found on the following websites:

https://tax.uconn.edu/student-tax-faqs/

https://bursar.uconn.edu/1098-t/1098-t-faq/

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf