A fellow may use the fellowship only for enrollment in a doctoral program at an institution of higher education accredited by an accrediting agency or association recognized by the Secretary, which accepts the fellow for graduate study, and which has agreed to comply with the provisions of this part applicable to institutions.

(a) An individual notified by the Secretary of selection as a fellow shall inform the Secretary of the individual's acceptance in the manner and time prescribed by the Secretary in the notification.

(b) If an individual fails to comply with the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, the Secretary treats the individual's failure to comply as a refusal of the fellowship.

(a) The Secretary withdraws an offer of a fellowship to an individual only if the Secretary determines that the individual submitted fraudulent information on the application.

(b) The Secretary considers the application to contain fraudulent information if the application contains a statement that—

(1) The applicant knows or has reason to know—

(i) Asserts a material fact that is false or fictitious; or

(ii) Is false or fictitious because it omits a material fact that the person making the statement has a duty to include in the statement; and

(2) Contains or is accompanied by an express certification or affirmation of the truthfulness and accuracy of the contents of the statement.

(a) An individual may receive a fellowship for a doctoral degree program of study for a total of 48 months or the time required for receiving the doctoral degree, whichever is less.

(b)(1) An individual may receive a fellowship for no more than 24 months for dissertation work, without the prior approval of the Secretary.

(2) A fellow may apply to the Secretary for an additional period of fellowship support for dissertation work. The fellow's application must include—

(i) The specific facts detailing the reasons why the additional period of dissertation work support is necessary;

(ii) A certification by the institution that it is aware of the fellow's application and that the fellow has attained satisfactory progress in the fellow's academic studies; and

(iii) A recommendation from the institution that the additional period of fellowship support for dissertation work is necessary.

(c) A fellow who maintains satisfactory progress in the program of study for which the fellowship was awarded may have the fellowship renewed annually for the total length of time described in paragraph (a) of this section.

In order to continue to receive payments under a fellowship, a fellow shall—

(a) Maintain satisfactory progress in the program for which the fellowship was awarded as determined by the institution of higher education;

(b) Devote essentially full time to study or research in the field in which the fellowship was awarded, as determined by the institution of higher education;

(c) Not engage in gainful employment during the period of the fellowship except on a part-time basis, for the institution of higher education at which the fellowship was awarded, in teaching, research, or similar activities approved by the Secretary; and

(d) Begin study under the fellowship in the academic year specified in the fellowship award.

(a) An institution of higher education may allow a fellow to interrupt study for a period not to exceed 12 months, but only if the interruption of study is—

(1) For the purpose of work, travel, or independent study, if the independent study is away from the institution and supportive of the fellow's academic program; and

(2) Approved by the institution of higher education.

(b) A fellow may continue to receive payments during the period of interruption only if the fellow's interruption of study is for the purpose of travel or independent study that is supportive of the fellow's academic program.

(c) A fellow may not receive payments during the period of interruption if the fellow's interruption of study is for the purpose of travel that is not supportive of the fellow's academic program, or work, whether supportive of the fellow's academic program or not.

(d) The Secretary makes a pro rata institutional payment to the institution of higher education in which the fellow is enrolled during the period the fellow receives payments as described in paragraph (b) of this section.

After an award is made, a fellow may not make any change in the field of study or institution attended without the prior approval of the Secretary.

Each individual who is awarded a fellowship shall keep such records and submit such reports as are required by the Secretary.