Ann,

     I'm not sure if anyone from the Smithsonian's Office of Fellowships and
     Grants is on this list, but I suggest that you give them a call at
     202/287-3271.  The Smithsonian has a tremendous amount of fellows,
     research associates and collaborators.  I'm no authority on this, but it
     seems to me that fellows and research associates are more like employees
     since they generally are required to have a staff member serve as a
     sponsor/supervisor.  Independent contractors are by definition
     "independent" which means little to no supervision by a staff member.  As
     far as employee benefits go that may vary tremendously.  I'm not sure what
     types of benefits the Smithsonian gives to fellows and research
     associates, if any, but I know that Smithsonian contractors get no
     benefits.

     Laura

     >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

     Laura McMann Mahoney
     NAGPRA Consultant
     Archeology & Ethnography Program
     National Park Service
     Washington, DC
     (202) 343-1095
     (202) 343-5260 FAX
     [log in to unmask]


     --------------------------

     I would like to hear from those institutions that have a program for
     fellowships and research consultants.

     Are you treating these folks as independent contractors or as
     employees?  I know universities do this more than museums but some one
     else must be in the game besides us.  Interns we treat as employees,
     but we hold them to much tighter controls.

     comments please.

     Ann