Program Description
The NASA Postdoctoral Program provides talented postdoctoral scientists and engineers with valuable opportunities to engage in ongoing NASA research programs and serves as a source of talent to ensure the continued quality of the NASA research workforce. These one- to three-year Fellowship appointments are competitive and are designed to advance NASA's missions in space science, earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.
The NASA Postdoctoral Program consists of two components: the NASA Postdoctoral Research Program and the NASA Postdoctoral Management Program. The NASA Postdoctoral Management Program is an adjunct to the NASA Postdoctoral Research Program and is designed to provide valuable research management experience for some of the research program Fellows. Together, the two components will be operated to provide some of the most talented new and senior Ph.D.'s with opportunities to participate in NASA mission-related activities as guests at NASA Centers, Headquarters, and other NASA-approved sites.
For more information on the conditions of the award, the responsibilities of the Fellow, and the procedures and practices to be followed during the appointment, please see the NASA Postdoctoral Program Policies and Procedures document (pdf).
Stipend Rates
Stipend rates for Postdoctoral Fellows start at $50,000 per year. (A Postdoctoral Fellow has held the doctoral degree for less than five years at the time of application.) Moderate supplements are given for Ph.D. degrees in certain specialized fields, such as engineering, computer science, clinical space-biomedical science, etc., and for high cost of living areas.
Stipend rates for Senior Postdoctoral Fellows are based on number of years of professional service, the total score obtained on the NPP application, and supplements for degree specialties and high cost of living areas. (A Senior Postdoctoral Fellow has held the doctoral degree for five or more years at the time of application and have achieved significant professional accomplishments in his/her field.)
Travel Funds
Relocation Travel
Limited inbound relocation expenses, including transportation; the shipment of household goods within the United States or unaccompanied baggage from a foreign country; temporary lodging; and per diem may be reimbursed. Reimbursements are dependent on the city and country of the Fellows residence, number of dependents, mode of transportation, etc. and are governed by federal travel regulations and the ORAU Travel Policy.
The reimbursement of outbound relocation expenses may be considered under special circumstances and is determined on a case-by-case basis. Fellows who choose to terminate their appointments before the end of the first 12-month appointment period are obligated to repay all relocation expenses to ORAU.
Professional and Programmatic Travel
Fellows receive $8,000 per appointment year to support travel to conferences, meetings, and other activities (i.e., travel to field sites or observatories to collect data or for required training) that directly support their research projects. The funds that are not used during a 12-month appointment period will carry over to the following appointment period.
Health Insurance
NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellows are required to have health insurance. If you do not already have a health insurance policy, NASA will pay approximately 85% of the premium for an individual or family coverage policy purchased through ORAU. The premiums, however, are subject to income tax because they are part of the Fellowship award.