What is the difference between a postdoctoral associate and a postdoctoral scholar?

The primary difference between the postdoctoral associate and postdoctoral scholar is the nature of financial support for the position.

A postdoctoral associate:

• holds a PhD or equivalent degree;
• develops skills by participating in scholarly projects that are actively mentored by a member of the university faculty;
• receives financial support in the form of a salary that is typically funded by grants, contracts or departmental funds secured by a faculty mentor; and
• has a limited term of up to five years at GW.

A postdoctoral scholar:

• holds a PhD or equivalent degree;
• develops skills by engaging in a mentored training relationship with a member of the university faculty;
• receives financial support in the form of a fellowship or stipend, paid by GW on behalf of an external sponsor and where the external sponsor does not allow for employment by GW; and
• has a limited term of up to five years at GW.