In your article on postdoc working conditions you quote Keith Micoli of the National Postdoctoral Association as saying that the wording of a NIH National Research Service Award "prohibits institutions from classifying fellowship recipients as employees."1 I believe that Micoli is repeating a bit of widely used administrator misinformation on this point.
The NIH policy only provides that a postdoc is not required to be an employee in order to receive the grants.2 It does not say that a postdoc cannot be an employee for the purpose of benefits. With a provision added after years of pressure, the NIH now specifically provides that health insurance can be reimbursed up to $3,000 per year.
Originally the language "not provided as a condition of employment" was for the purpose of claiming non-taxability of scholarships. Since the Tax Reform Act of 1986, this is no longer possible. However, many institutions have continued to ...
