Program Benefits

Fellowship Stipend

Through the funds provided by the NSF, I-PERF Fellows will receive an annual base stipend of $78,000 per year plus, optional individual health and life insurance benefits, relocation assistance to the approved host company, a professional conference travel allowance, and scripted professional development training through ASEE.  The fellowship is for one year, renewable for a total of two years based on performance and the availability of funds from the NSF. Fellowship stipend is paid out in 12 monthly payments on the 1st of the month.

Host Company Provided Supplemental Stipend

Host companies may provide additional supplemental stipend and benefits to you through ASEE. Company provided Supplemental Stipend is paid out monthly with your regular stipend. Supplemental stipends for the year must be paid in advance by the Host Company for disbursement to you by the I-PERF program.

IMPORTANT: I-PERF Fellows are independent contractors of ASEE and are not employees of ASEE, NSF or their Host Company. (See Fellowship Terms and Conditions in the I-PERF applicant portal for details.)

Health Insurance

At no cost to the Fellow, the I-PERF program provides optional individual health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision benefits to I-PERF Fellows through funds provided by the NSF.  Child and/or family health insurance coverage is available at an additional cost to the Fellow. Fellows will be able to amend their health insurance benefits during the first thirty (30) days of their fellowship appointment, during the ASEE open enrollment period, or upon a qualifying event.

Life Insurance

Also at no cost to the Fellow, the I-PERF program provides optional life insurance coverage up to $100,000 per year. Additional insurance can be purchased by the Fellow subject to requirements of the insurance provider.  It is strongly recommended that Fellows obtain short-term disability insurance through a third party provider in the event you are unable to work during the period of the fellowship.

The I-PERF program provides relocation assistance for fellows to locate their family and belongings to the vicinity of the Host Company.  A limited amount funds are available to assist Fellows to relocate to Host Companies from cities in the Continental U.S., Hawaii, and U.S. Territories including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Sign in to the I-PERF program portal for more information.

The professional development of our Fellows is the central focus of the I-PERF program.  As a Fellow, you will be fully immersed in the high-tech entrepreneurial environment of your host company and quickly become a key contributor to a small team of between 2 to 20 innovators.

Fellows receive internal and external mentoring and follow a mutually agreed upon professional development plan through your Host Company. I-PERF Fellows also receive scripted professional development training through the program to develop high demand skills in areas, such as, entrepreneurship, design, and project management.

I-PERF seeks to develop the next generation of high-tech entrepreneurs among the nation’s early career STEM PhDs. Will you be one of them?