Scholar Fellow Titles Explained

The University of Maryland School of Medicine supports the following titles for Scholar Fellows:

For those whose stipend is funded at least 50% through the University Payroll System:

Post-Doctoral Fellow

This title applies to all fellows who have obtained a terminal doctoral degree and who are paid through University funding sources. These appointments are most typically funded through a faculty member’s grant funds but may be funded through other University sources.

Research Fellow

This title applies to all fellows who have NOT obtained a terminal doctoral degree and who are paid through University funding sources. These appointments are most typically funded through a faculty member’s grant funds but may be funded through other University sources. The expectation is that scholar fellows holding the Research Fellow title will typically be appointed for a much shorter period of time than the 5 years allowed for Post-Doctoral Fellows; to be generally 1 year or less.

For those whose stipend is funded at least 50% by direct agreement between the scholar fellow and an institution outside the University of Maryland, Baltimore:

Visiting Post-Doctoral Fellow

This title applies to all fellows who have obtained a terminal doctoral degree and who are compensated directly through an arrangement made between the scholar fellow and an institution outside the University of Maryland Baltimore. The Office of Academic Administration will require written documentation of the agreement with the fellow’s home institution.

Visiting Research Fellow

This title applies to all fellows who have NOT obtained a terminal doctoral degree and who are compensated directly through an arrangement made between the scholar fellow and an institution outside the University of Maryland Baltimore. The expectation is that scholar fellows holding the Visiting Research Fellow title will typically be appointed for a much shorter period of time than the 5 years allowed for Post-Doctoral Fellows; to be generally 1 year or less. The Office of Academic Administration will require written documentation of the agreement with the fellow’s home institution.