The AAMC on Oct. 18 submitted a letter (PDF) to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in response to a request for information (RFI) on recommendations from the Advisory Committee to the Director on re-envisioning U.S. postdoctoral research training and career progression within the biomedical research enterprise [refer to Washington Highlights, Jan. 12].
In its comments, the AAMC affirmed its position that a postdoctoral appointment should be a time-limited position that allows for the development of research, mentoring, and professional skills. However, the association did not support the imposition of a fixed, five-year limit on NIH-funding support for postdoctoral scholars without including well-defined exceptions when such a limit would impede an individual’s career progression or would exacerbate existing barriers. The AAMC also recommended that the NIH encourage institutions and mentors to adopt regular checkpoints to measure postdoctoral research and professional development progress and discuss career goals.
The association did not endorse the proposed NIH recommendation to reduce the eligibility window for the K99/R00 funding mechanism from four years to two years, as it could exacerbate existing barriers for postdoctoral scholars and would conflict with the NIH’s goal to promote independence. In addition, the AAMC urged the NIH to require institutions to invest in postdoctoral professional development, require mentor training for all faculty members who supervise postdoctoral scholars, and utilize established postdoctoral scholar networks, such as the MOSAIC program, to collect feedback on postdoctoral scholar experiences and recommendations for resources.
Collectively, the comments proposed by the AAMC aim to bolster the experience of postdoctoral scholars, a crucial component of the U.S. biomedical research enterprise, and to ensure that academic research careers remain attractive.
- Washington Highlights