On July 23, 2013, the National Institute of Health (NIH) released NOT-OD-13-093, encouraging institutions to require graduate students and postdoctoral researchers (including scholars, trainees and fellows, and individuals in other postdoctoral positions) supported by NIH grants to develop Individual Development Plans (IDPs); this applies regardless of the NIH funding type. All progress reports should begin reporting on or after October 1, 2014, using the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR). Reports should include an outline of current practices documenting how IDPs are used. It is hoped the use of IDPs will prepare graduate students and postdoctoral researchers for careers in the U.S. biomedical workforce.
In response to the notice from NIH, a workgroup was formed (facilitated by the Graduate School) to explore how those affected wanted to guide a campus response. Participants determined guiding principles including: using this opportunity to improve mentoring for graduate students and postdocs, utilizing existing IDP expertise on campus, and developing resources to minimize administrative burden.
All graduate students and postdoctoral researchers supported by NIH funding are required to have an IDP.
UW–Madison recommends that all graduate students and postdoctoral researchers utilize Individual Development Plans to set academic and career goals and facilitate conversations with their mentor(s). Beginning October 1, 2014, all graduate students and postdoctoral researchers supported by NIH funding are required to have an IDP. The onus for writing, maintaining, and implementing the plan is on the mentee, and conversations with and feedback from the mentor(s) are essential.
The Graduate School will identify individuals who must complete an IDP and will notify them of tools and resources available. The Graduate School will offer graduate students, postdocs, and Pls tools to track IDP progress.
Visit the UW Graduate School Individual Development Plan page to find:
