Follow Up RFI on Recommendations to Improve Postdoctoral Experiences

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking feedback from the biomedical research community through a follow-up Request for Information (RFI) as part of its efforts to better support the postdoctoral scholar workforce. NIH began implementing recommendations earlier this year by increasing pay levels for Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards. NIH issued a Request for Information to gather community input on additional proposed actions to accelerate the career transition of postdoc scholars into thriving biomedical research careers. Among the recommendations are:

• Limiting the amount of time a postdoctoral scholar can be supported by NIH funds to speed transition into research careers.
• Shorten the eligibility window and refocus review criteria for a key mentored career development award (K99/R00) to facilitate more rapid transition of postdoctoral scholars.
• Enhancing training and professional development opportunities for postdoctoral scholars and their mentors.

Through the RFI, we are seeking additional specific suggestions, evidence-based strategies, and relevant data or related experiences that will help inform our potential strategies. 

Feedback will be accepted electronically until October 23, 2024.

NIH is particularly interested in receiving input from:

• Trainees (e.g., graduate students, postdocs).
• Early stage investigators.
• Biomedical faculty.
• Training directors.
• Postdoctoral and graduate student office leaders.
• Biotech/biopharma industry scientists, and research education program advocates. 

NIH encourages organizations (e.g., patient advocacy groups, professional societies) to submit a single response reflective of the views of the organization or its membership.

Resources

• NIH Guide Notice: Request for Information (RFI) on Recommendations on Re-envisioning U.S. Postdoctoral Research Training and Career Progression within the Biomedical Research Enterprise https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-24-150.html
• Request for Information (RFI) on Recommendations on Re-envisioning U.S. Postdoctoral Research Training and Career Progression within the Biomedical Research Enterprise
• NIH Open Mike blog post: Feedback Sought on Implementing Recommendations to Re-envision the Postdoctoral Experience 

Please direct all inquiries to reenvisionpostdoc@nih.gov.