Policies & Procedures
Benefits for NRSA Postdoctoral Fellows
Specific information regarding stipends and benefits for NRSA Postdoctoral Fellows.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do my insurance options cover the J-1 visa requirements?
Yes. All insurance plans offered through Penn meet the J-1 visa requirements.
I have other questions about the benefits. Who do I contact?
If postdoctoral researchers and fellows have additional questions about their benefits, they should contact the following resources for support:
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Penn Employee Solution Center
The Solution Center can assist with questions related to benefits eligibility, enrollment, and coverage.
📧 solutioncenter@upenn.edu
📞 (215) 898-7372
🔗 Contact the Solution Center -
Health Advocate
Health Advocate is a confidential, third-party service available to all Penn affiliates. They can provide guidance on navigating benefits, resolving claims, and locating care providers.
📧 answers@HealthAdvocate.com
📞 (866) 799-2329
🔗 Health Advocate – Penn HR
Is enrollment in benefits required for ALL postdocs?
Yes. You must participate by either enrolling or waiving benefits.
What benefits are available to postdocs?
Postdoctoral Researchers and Fellows are eligible for the Penn Postdoc Benefits plan.
What is an NRSA Fellow?
An NRSA Fellow is a postdoctoral position. NRSA Postdoctoral Fellows are individuals who come to the University for the principal purpose of furthering their personal development through participation in advanced training programs. They hold post-baccalaureate degrees, normally the highest degree earned in the field. The source of funding is an individual or institutional National Research Service Award from the federal government to support the individual’s training (T32 or F32).
The IRS defines an NRSA Fellow as a trainee that does not provide a service to the college. Due to these IRS regulations, no federal tax or FICA can be withheld from an NRSA Fellow stipend and an NRSA Fellow cannot receive any benefits that result in a tax impact (e.g. pre-tax contributions to a retirement account). An NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow’s stipend is subject to State, Local and State Unemployment Compensation taxes. No employment benefit rate can be charged to NRSA funding.