Differences between Postdoc Associates and Postdoc Fellows

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.  

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.