OF RECORD: Postdoctoral Stipend Levels for FY2013	Print Issue
May 1, 2012, Volume 58, No. 32

The Office of the Vice Provost for Research, in consultation with the Provost Council on Research, is responsible for setting minimum stipend levels for postdoctoral trainees across the University. Many postdoctoral trainees at Penn are supported by National Research Service Awards (NRSA), with stipend levels determined by the federal government (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-12-033.html).

In recent years we have been gradually reducing the disparity of stipend amounts between NRSA- and University- funded postdocs. As we have now almost bridged the gap, we have decided as planned to adopt the NRSA stipend scale for all postdocs moving forward.

It is important to remember that recommended stipend levels represent minimums. Schools and Departments may establish their own guidelines as long as stipend rates meet or exceed those established by the University. 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. 

Recommended Minimum Stipend Levels for Penn FY2013
(July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013)

Levels for all years are:

Note: 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.

—Steven J. Fluharty, Senior Vice Provost for Research