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New NSF Mentoring Plan Requirements

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New NSF Mentoring Plan Requirements

Effective May 20, 2024


As of May 20, 2024, all NSF grant applications must include a mentoring plan for postdoctoral scholars and graduate students funded by the award. Additionally, each postdoctoral scholar or graduate student receiving significant NSF support must have an Individual Development Plan, updated annually, outlining educational goals, career exploration, and professional development. For more information, see PAPPG Chapter. II D.2.i(1). 

 


What are the requirements for Mentoring Plans?

  • Must be submitted with the grant application
  • One-page maximum length
  • Must describe the mentoring to be provided to all postdoctoral scholars or graduate students supported by the proposed project.
  • Examples of mentoring activities include: career counseling, training in preparation of grant proposals, publications and presentations, guidance on ways to improve teaching and mentoring skills, guidance on how to effectively collaborate with researchers from diverse backgrounds and disciplinary areas, training in responsible professional practices
  • Separate plans are not required for postdoctoral scholars or graduate students. The plan can specify how different components will be implemented for these two groups. Mentoring activities provided to postdoctoral scholars or graduate students supported by the proposal will be evaluated under the Broader Impacts review criterion.


What are the requirements for Individual D​evelopment Plans (IDP)?

  • Each postdoctoral scholar and graduate student receiving substantial support from an NSF award must have an Individual Development Plan
  • There is no required format for IDP’s
  • Must be updated annually
  • Certification by PI is required in annual and final annual reports


How does NSF define “substantial NSF support” for the IDP requir​ement?

  • “Substantial support” is defined as at least one person month of support during the annual reporting period under the NSF award


Mentoring Resources

Sample Mentoring Plans


Sample IDPs

  • IDP Template (UW Madison, Center for Women's Health)
  • IDP Template (Vanderbilt, Dept of Biological Sciences 
  • More examples of IDPs are available from the UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research here

 

Online Resources



Lehigh Resources
 

ADVANCE Center

  • CIMER, the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research, is a nationally recognized evidence-based mentorship training program aimed at enhancing the quality and effectiveness of mentorship in research settings and fostering a supportive, productive, and inclusive research environment.
  • Workshop areas include: Maintaining Effective Communication, Aligning Expectations, Assessing Understanding, Addressing Equity and Inclusion, Fostering Independence, Promoting Professional Development, Cultivating Ethical Behavior, Articulating Your Mentoring Approach and Plan
  • Mentorship courses are offered each semester by Lehigh's CIMER trained facilitators. 
  • For more info, click here
     

Office of Graduate Education and Life


Center for Career and Professional Development


Postdoctoral Affairs Office

Center for Innovation of Teaching and Learning (CITL)