Differences between Postdoc Associates and Postdoc Fellows

See the Benefits Summary page.

Postdoctoral associates are paid a salary from Yale grants, contracts, departmental accounts, or other university funding sources. Postdoctoral associates are classified as employees and receive employee benefits.

Postdoctoral fellows are paid a stipend from external fellowships, NIH T32 training grants, or NIH F32 individual fellowships. Postdoctoral fellows are not employees, and as non-employees, are eligible for only dental insurance and health insurance at full cost. If the fellowship, faculty mentor, and/or department subsidize part or all of the cost of health insurance, the subsidy is classified as taxable income to the postdoc.  

Postdoctoral Fellows not receiving a Yale University paycheck and not able to enroll for benefits using Yale’s Workday, are eligible to enroll with Yale Health’s Postdoctoral Fellow Membership Health Coverage Program. Additional information, monthly rates and the process of how to enroll can be found on Yale Health’s Unpaid Postdoc Fellows webpage. 

The Postdoctoral Fellow Healthcare Subsidy Form subsidy form for the currrent calendar year is on the It’s Your Yale Benefits Enrollment page - 2024 link. 

Important note to international postdocs: Postdocs on H-1B visas may be ineligible to become postdoctoral fellows. Please consult the Office of International Students and Scholars prior to applying for a fellowship.

Please see the table below for more details about the differences between postdoc fellows and associates. Visit Yale Benefits for comprehensive descriptions of postdoc benefits, and contact the Employee Service Center, 203-432-5552, if you have questions.