Appointments, Benefits and Policies
Furlough Questions:
Why are furloughs not required for all Postdoctoral Scholars?
Postdoctoral Scholars is an informal term used to describe Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Associates, however, there is a significant legal difference between the two. Postdoctoral Fellows, under IRS regulations, are not employees of the University as recipients of fellowships granted by outside entities and therefore are not subject to the furloughs. Research Associates, funded by grant money, are legally employees and are subject to the furloughs.
Why am I subject to furloughs if I am paid on federal funds?
The Governor stated that the furloughs would apply to all employees, regardless of the source of their funding. His reasoning for including federally-funded employees was that furloughs should affect all employees in an equitable fashion - regardless of funding source. When the Research and Sponsored Programs office (RSP) was asked about the legality of furloughing federally-funded employees, they cited a circular from the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB-21: Cost Principles for Educational Institutions) which they believe supports the requirement that furloughs be applied to federally-funded employees. As a state agency we are obligated to follow the Governor's directives.
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There are two types of Postdoctoral Scholars at UW-Madison: Research Associates and Postdoctoral Fellows/Trainees. Salaries, benefits, and some policies vary depending on title (see benefits summary). Type of appointment will be stated in your appointment letter.
Research Associates are usually funded from a principal investigator's grant funds or other sources rather than from fellowship funds awarded an individual.
A Postdoctoral Fellowship or Postdoctoral Traineeship is an award, funded by an outside organization or agency, to the institution or individual. Postdoctoral Fellowships will be assessed a fringe benefits charge (see rates page on the Research and Sponsored Programs Web site). This cost is generally covered by the "institutional allowance" or "research allowance" provided with your fellowship. See your department administrator for details about how this charge will be covered on specific fellowships for which you plan to apply, or have received.
Benefits
Policies & Procedures
- Employees-In-Training
Appointment & Titles
- Principal Investigator Status
- Supplementation and Concurrent Appointments for Postdoctoral Employees-In-Training Holding Fellowships or Traineeships
- Unclassified Personnel Policies & Procedures
Salary/Stipend
Tax Information
Sample Appointment Letter for: