Funding

Funding for Beckman Institute Postdoctoral Fellows consists of an annual stipend starting at $54,000, health insurance as described below, and a one-time $25,000 research budget to cover:

• Relocation expenses ($2,000 maximum, first year only)
• Research supplies
• Facility use/service charges
• Equipment
• Training Workshops
• Support for interdisciplinary collaborations
• Travel between collaborating institutions
• Travel to scientific/technical meetings
  

Health insurance

Beckman Institute Postdoctoral Fellows are not eligible for University of Illinois health insurance benefits through the state of Illinois. Beckman Institute Postdoctoral Fellows must make their own purchase arrangements for insurance coverage from an acceptable carrier. (Specific information regarding J-1 status insurances requirements and providers is available.) Reimbursement for the actual annual premium expenses from the awarded funds will be as follows: postdoc fellow only (up to $2,500); postdoc fellow plus one dependent (up to $3,000); and postdoc fellow plus two or more dependents (up to $3,500).

Tax information

Information about tax implications of the Beckman Institute Fellowship program also is available.

Foreign nationals

The postdoctoral fellowship is not a form of employment. Therefore, the postdoctoral fellowship appointments are not eligible for H-1B sponsorship. In order to qualify for a Beckman Institute fellowship, foreign nationals must be eligible for J-1 status (i.e., J-1 Research Scholar) for the full three-year period of the fellowship. The Beckman Institute will provide J-1 sponsorship for those individuals who are selected to the Beckman Institute Postdoctoral Fellows program. The following general information regarding J-1s is provided to help you determine your eligibility for J-1 status. Should you have any questions concerning this information, email visa@beckman.illinois.edu.

Individuals in J-1 Research Scholar status may remain in the United States for a maximum of five (5) years. Individuals are responsible for understanding regulations associated with the Two-Year Home Residency Requirement, the Twelve-Month Rule, and the Two-year Bar. This information is especially important for individuals who have been in J-1 status prior to applying to the Beckman Institute Fellows program.

• Two-year home residence requirement: Some J-1 exchange visitors are required to return either to their country of nationality or country of legal permanent residence and to live there for a period of two years after their J program ends, and before they can obtain certain U.S. visas and immigration benefits. The purpose of this requirement is to provide the home country with the benefit of the exchange visitor’s experience in the United States.
• Twelve-month rule: If individuals have been in any J-1 or J-2 exchange visitor status for more than six months, they cannot return to the U.S. as a Professor or Research Scholar until twelve months have passed from the end of their previous J program. The time is calculated according to their entry and departure dates.
• Two-year bar: Individuals in the J-1 Research Scholar or Professor category have a two-year bar on repeat participation in those categories. This bar applies to anyone in one of these categories as of November 18, 2006. The bar becomes effective when your program as a Research Scholar or Professor becomes inactive.

For more information on J-1 visa sponsorship and status regulations, please visit the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) website at http://www.isss.illinois.edu. Questions? Email us if you still have questions after reading through this page.