Minimum Salary and Stipend Levels
In December 2016, a minimum salary and stipend level for all full-time postdocs was established by Vanderbilt and based on the NIH NRSA stipend recommendations. Annually, when the NIH NRSA stipend recommendations are updated, Vanderbilt’s minimum salary and stipend level for all full-time postdocs are similarly updated. Given the release on February 3, 2023 of the FY 2023 NIH Stipend Levels, the minimum payment at Vanderbilt has been increased as detailed in the table below. This minimum payment is regardless of job classification (fellow or trainee) and funding mechanism (salary or stipend).
Upon reappointment, all postdocs appointed by the OPA should be offered at least the current NIH NRSA scale below based on their years of postdoctoral experience. There is no set maximum allowable compensation. A postdoctoral salary/stipend may be supplemented at the request of the faculty mentor/principal investigator and approved by the respective dean of the postdoc’s home department.
Salary and stipend levels are set for full-time postdoctoral employment. Activities are determined by the department/program. Requests to reduce from 100% FTE must be approved by the faculty advisor, dean of the school/college, and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
Stipend Levels for Postdoctoral Trainees & Fellows on NIH NRSA
The 2024 rates have not been released by the NIH. When they are released, OPA will update the below table and send an email to postdoctoral administrators with further instructions.
| Years of Experience | Stipend for FY 2021 | Stipend for FY 2022 | Stipend for FY 2023 | Monthly Stipend for FY 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $53,760 | $54,840 | $56,484 | $4,707 |
| 1 | $54,144 | $55,224 | $56,880 | $4,740 |
| 2 | $54,540 | $55,632 | $57,300 | $4,775 |
| 3 | $56,712 | $57,852 | $59,592 | $4,966 |
| 4 | $58,608 | $59,784 | $61,572 | $5,131 |
| 5 | $60,780 | $61,992 | $63,852 | $5,321 |
| 6 | $63,036 | $64,296 | $66,228 | $5,519 |
| 7 | $65,292 | $66,600 | $68,604 | $5,717 |
Additional information can be found at NIH FY 2023 Stipend Levels, NOT-OD-23-076.
NIH NRSA Childcare Supplement
NIH Notice NOT-OD-21-177 - Childcare Costs for NRSA Institutional Research Training Awards
NIH will provide an annual $2,500 per each full-time predoctoral or postdoctoral NRSA trainee appointment slot at the time the new, renewal, or continuation award is made. NIH will not provide childcare support for short-term predoctoral or postdoctoral NRSA trainees regardless of the activity code.
For childcare costs to be considered allowable, eligible full-time predoctoral or postdoctoral NRSA trainees must be appointed to the NRSA institutional research training award prior to use of the childcare costs.
The NRSA childcare costs are not tied to payback obligations, nor should it be reported as such.
Childcare must be provided by a licensed childcare provider. Recipients must maintain all supporting documentation (e.g., proof provider is licensed) and make it available to NIH officials upon request. NIH does not require recipients to submit this supporting documentation except when specifically requested.
NIH Notice NOT-OD-21-074 - Childcare Costs for NRSA Individual Fellows
Each NRSA fellow may request $2,500 per budget period to defray childcare costs. Childcare must be provided by a licensed childcare provider. Recipients must maintain all supporting documentation (e.g., proof provider is licensed) and make it available to NIH officials upon request. NIH does not require recipients to submit this supporting documentation with each request.
The NRSA childcare costs are not tied to payback obligations, nor should it be reported as such.
Please review the complete childcare supplement policies found at NIH Notice NOT-OD-21-177 (for institution training grants), NOT-OD-21-074 (individual fellowships), or speak with your grants manager.