OF RECORD Postdoctoral Stipend Levels FY02 (Final Revised June 27, 2001) Preamble Several recent developments have led to a revised approach to guidelines for stipend levels for Postdoctoral Fellows (PDFs). These events include: (1) a proposed new set of NIH guidelines for NSRA (National Research Service Awards) postdoctoral stipends that involve substantial annual increases above present levels (it is presumed that NIH expects these new levels to be implemented for NIH FY02 for all PDFs supported on NIH grants); (2) the potential lack of supplements for existing NIH grants to accommodate the new stipend levels; and (3) the minimal increases in grants awarded by NSF and other Federal agencies. As a result fiscal realities have created increasingly disparate financial situations for faculty, depending upon their source of support. In view of these considerations, the recommended minimum stipend levels are no longer based on projected future NIH guidelines. It is recognized that the FY02 guidelines represents a departure from the promulgated University of Pennsylvania postdoctoral policies*, and a revision of those policies may be considered during the coming academic year. It is important to remember that recommended stipend levels represent minimums. Penn investigators are also expected to comply with any postdoctoral stipend guidelines that are promulgated by their sponsors, if these sponsor-specified guidelines exceed the Penn minimum stipend levels. Background: FY 01 Recommended Stipend Levels At present, the recommended minimal stipend levels for postdoctoral fellows at the University are the current FY01 NIH levels, i.e., By years of experience: 0 $28,260 1 $29,832 2 $35,196 3 $36,996 4 $38,772 Recommended Minimum Stipend Levels for Penn FY02 (Penn FY02: July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002) Beginning postdoctoral fellows, with no prior experience at Penn, will be paid a minimum of $29,108. This represents a 3% increase above the minimum for FY01. All continuing postdoctoral fellows will receive an increase of at least 3% above their present stipend levels. Other Items Stipends should be adjusted upwards during the course of the Penn fiscal year, either at the time of the annual postdoctoral reappointment, at the time of the annual grant renewal, or at the beginning of the NIH fiscal year. Individual Schools can set their own stipend levels above those recommended in this revision. Under University of Pennsylvania postdoctoral policy, no one should hold a postdoctoral position for more than 5 years. Current University of Pennsylvania postdoctoral policy applies to postdoctoral fellows in the physical, biological, and health sciences, and in engineering. Minimum stipend levels will set annually by the Vice Provost for Research, in consultation with the Provost's Council on Research representing the Schools of the University. --Neal Nathanson, Vice Provost for Research * The University of Pennsylvania's Postdoctoral policies are online at www.upenn.edu/research/ policies.htm#postdocanchor.

Almanac, Vol. 48, No. 1, July 17, 2001

| FRONT PAGE | CONTENTS | JOB-OPS | CRIMESTATS | OF RECORD: Postdoctoral Stipend Levels AND Research Foundation Guidelines | GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE | TALK ABOUT TEACHING ARCHIVE | BETWEEN ISSUES | SUMMER at PENN |