As used in this part:

Continental United States does not include Hawaii or Alaska.

Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services and any other officer or employee of the Department of Health and Human Services to whom the authority involved may be delegated.

Service Fellowship is one which requires the performance of services, either full or part time, for the Public Health Service.

The regulations in this part apply to the establishment of service fellowships in the Public Health Service, the designation of persons to receive such fellowships, and the appointment of service fellows under authority of section 207(g) of the Public Health Service Act.

Service fellowships in the Public Health Service are for the purpose of encouraging and promoting research, studies, and investigations related to health. Such fellowships may be provided to secure the services of talented scientists for a period of limited duration for health-related research, studies, and investigations where the nature of the work or the character of the individual's services render customary employing methods impracticable or less effective.

All service fellowships shall be established by the Secretary. In establishing a service fellowship, or a series of service fellowships, the Secretary shall prescribe in writing the conditions (in addition to those provided in the regulations in this part) under which service fellows will be appointed and will hold their fellowships.

Scholastic and other qualifications shall be prescribed by the Secretary for each service fellowship, or series of service fellowships. Each individual appointed to a service fellowship shall:

(a) Have presented satisfactory evidence of general suitability, including professional and personal fitness; and

(b) Possess any other qualifications as reasonably may be prescribed.

Application for a service fellowship shall be made in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary.

The Secretary shall:

(a) Prescribe a suitable professional and personal fitness review and an examination of the applicant's qualifications;

(b) Designate in writing persons to receive service fellowships; and

(c) Establish procedures for the appointment of service fellows.

(a) Stipends. Service fellows shall be entitled to such stipend as is authorized by the Secretary for each service fellowship or series of service fellowships.

(b) Travel and transportation allowances. Under conditions prescribed by the Secretary, an individual appointed as a service fellow may be authorized personal travel allowances or transportation and per diem, travel allowances or transportation for his or her immediate family, and transportation of household goods and personal effects, in conjunction with travel authorized by the Secretary.

(1) From place of residence, within or outside the continental United States, to first duty station,

(2) For any change of duty station ordered by the Service during the term of the fellowship, and

(3) From last duty station to the place of residence which he left to accept the fellowship, or to some other place at no greater cost to the Government.

(4) A service fellow shall be entitled to travel allowances or transportation and per diem while traveling on official business away from his or her permanent duty station during the term of the fellowship. Except as otherwise provided herein, a service fellow shall be entitled to travel and transportation allowances authorized in this part at the same rates as may be authorized by law and regulations for other civilian employees of the Public Health Service. If a service fellow dies during the term of a fellowship, and the place of residence that was left by the service fellow to accept the fellowship was outside the continental United States, the payment of expenses of preparing the remains for burial and transporting them to the place of residence for interment may be authorized. In the case of deceased service fellows whose place of residence was within the continental United States, payment of the expenses of preparing the remains and transporting them to the place of residence for interment may be authorized as provided for other civilian employees of the Public Health Service.

(c) Benefits. In addition to other benefits provided herein, service fellows shall be entitled to benefits as provided by law or regulation for other civilian employees of the Public Health Service.

(d) Training. Service fellows are eligible for training at Government expense on the same basis as other civilian employees.

Initial appointments to service fellowships may be made for varying periods not in excess of 5 years. Such an appointment may be extended for varying periods not in excess of 5 years for each period in accordance with procedures and requirements established by the Secretary.