[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 145 (Monday, July 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60907-60909]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-16649]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Request for Information (RFI) on Recommendations on Re-
Envisioning U.S. Postdoctoral Research Training and Career Progression 
Within the Biomedical Research Enterprise

AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, HHS.

ACTION: Request for information.

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SUMMARY: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is issuing a follow-up 
Request for Information (RFI) as part of its effort to gauge feedback 
from the biomedical research community to inform the implementation of 
recommendations from the Advisory Committee to the Director Working 
Group on Re-envisioning NIH-Supported Postdoctoral Training.

DATES: The RFI is open for public comment for a period of 90 days and 
will close at 11:59 p.m. (EST) on October 23, 2024. Please ensure 
prompt response to this RFI to ensure consideration.

ADDRESSES: Submissions can be sent electronically to: (https://rfi.grants.nih.gov/?s=6660cc1aa1264f88920cf122). Responses to this RFI 
are voluntary and may be submitted anonymously. You may voluntarily 
include your name and contact information with your response. If you 
choose to provide NIH with this information, NIH will not share your 
name and contact information outside of NIH unless required by law. 
Responses must be received by October 23, 2024, 11:59 p.m. to ensure 
consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about this request for 
information should be directed to: Ericka M. Boone, Director, Division 
of Biomedical Research Workforce, at (301) 496-0180 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is 
seeking feedback from the biomedical research community on the 
implementation of specific recommendations proposed by the Advisory 
Committee to the Director (ACD) in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 217a, 
section 222 of the Public Health Service Act, for Re-envisioning NIH-
supported Postdoctoral Training. This Request for Information (RFI) 
aims to gather insights and suggestions to inform the effective 
implementation of recommendations across NIH-funded research 
institutions.

Background Information

    NIH established an Advisory Committee to the Director Working Group 
on Re-Envisioning NIH-Supported Postdoctoral Training (https://acd.od.nih.gov/working-groups/postdocs.html) (ACD Postdoctoral WG) to 
explore the status of the postdoctoral training system, identify and 
understand critical factors and issues relating to the perceived 
decline in the number of postdoctoral scholars, and to provide 
recommendations to address these factors. As part of this ACD-led 
effort, community input on the status of the postdoctoral training 
system was encouraged through four listening sessions and through a 
February 2023 RFI: 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-23-084.html). 
Input was received from various members of the biomedical research 
community, including early-stage investigators, biomedical faculty, 
training directors, postdoctoral and graduate student office leaders, 
biotech/biopharma industry scientists, and research education program 
advocates. Results from the public listening sessions (https://acd.od.nih.gov/documents/IMOD_Postdoc_Listening_Sessions_summary.pdf) 
and the previously published RFI on Re-envisioning U.S. Postdoctoral 
Research Training and Career Progression within the Biomedical Research 
Enterprise released on February 14, 2023, and the follow-up report 
(https://acd.od.nih.gov/documents/RFI_Postdocs_Report_2023.pdf) 
captured a wide range of topics related to postdoctoral scholar issues 
and challenges, including lack of adequate salary and standard 
benefits, poor job satisfaction, lack of opportunities in academic 
careers, negative work culture and the need for high-quality 
mentorship. Additionally, respondents provided diverse suggestions for 
changes to existing NIH policies, resources, and programs, including 
those expansion of NIH funding opportunities that can address 
postdoctoral scholar research and career development goals. Based on 
feedback, the ACD Postdoctoral WG issued six (6) high-level 
recommendations:
     Recommendation 1: Increase pay and benefits for all NIH-
supported postdoctoral scholars.
     Recommendation 2: Create and expand mechanisms to support 
the full talent pool of postdoctoral scholars.
     Recommendation 3: Facilitate the transition of 
postdoctoral scholars into the next career stage, including roles 
beyond academic faculty.
     Recommendation 4: Promote training and professional 
development of postdoctoral scholars and their mentors.
     Recommendation 5: Support safe and diverse perspectives 
and research environments within institutional research programs.
     Recommendation 6: Improve means to measure and share 
postdoctoral scholars' career progression.
    Please see the full ACD Postdoctoral Scholar WG report at--https://acd.od.nih.gov/documents/presentations/12152023_Postdoc_Working_Group_Report.pdf.

Information Requested

    As a part of NIH's ongoing efforts to better support the 
postdoctoral scholar workforce, the purpose of this RFI is to solicit 
public input on how NIH might most effectively implement certain 
recommendations developed by the ACD WG to address current challenges 
affecting the postdoctoral trainee community. NIH is particularly 
interested in receiving input from trainees (e.g., graduate students, 
postdocs), as well as 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

[[Page 60908]]

organization or its membership. While NIH is requesting input on the 
specific recommendations listed below, we continue to explore the 
implementation of all other recommendations submitted as a part of the 
ACD WG Report. Where possible, responses should include specific 
suggestions, evidence-based strategies, and any relevant data or 
experiences that can inform the implementation process.
    Recommendation 1.3: Limit the total number of years a person can be 
supported by NIH funds in a postdoctoral position to no more than 5 
years.
    Description: Input received by the ACD WG, via public comment and 
listening sessions, identified that ill-defined, excessively long 
postdoctoral appointments are a key career development obstacle 
delaying career progression for postdoctoral scholars. While current 
NIH policy states that individuals may receive no more than 3 years of 
aggregate National Research Service Award (NRSA) support at the 
postdoctoral level, there is no limitation on aggregate support for 
postdoctoral scholars supported on other types of NIH grants. To 
further support NIH's continued efforts to promote greater structure to 
the postdoctoral training process and promote more timely transition of 
postdoctoral scholars into their next career stages, the ACD WG has 
recommended that NIH funding should not be used to support postdoctoral 
scholars beyond five years, including time spent in different host 
institutions and any changes in funding support. Beyond five years, 
postdoctoral scholars must be transitioned to new positions, with 
defined roles, responsibilities and compensation that are beyond the 
role of postdoctoral scholar. While research project timelines differ 
across fields, setting a uniform upper limit on years of support is 
intended to reduce the time that postdoctoral scholars spend in the 
postdoc phase and encourage a more timely career transition.
    Input Requested:
     Describe any potential benefits, opportunities, challenges 
and/or consequences to the postdoctoral workforce or the extramural 
research community if NIH were to limit total years of NIH-supported 
funding support for postdoctoral scholars.
     Please describe any existing NIH or extramural 
institutional policies that could pose challenges to the implementation 
of a policy to limit aggregate NIH funding support for postdoctoral 
scholars.
     Please describe any key NIH or extramural institutional 
policies, processes, or resources that should be developed, improved, 
or expanded to address any potential challenges associated with 
limiting aggregate funding support for postdoctoral scholars.
     What mechanisms should be put into place by extramural 
institutions to support transitions for postdoctoral scholars nearing 
the end of the five-year period?
    Recommendation 2.2: Revise the K99/R00 mechanism to focus on ideas 
and creativity over productivity.
    Description: The NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) was 
created to assist postdoctoral researchers to complete needed, mentored 
training and promote the timely transition to independent tenure-track 
(or equivalent) faculty positions while also providing research funding 
to support to the launch of their independent research careers. 
Currently, K99 applicants can have no more than 4 years postdoctoral 
research experience at the time of application to be eligible to apply. 
The research community expressed concern that K99 applications 
containing more evidence of demonstrated research accomplishment and 
productivity (lots of research results and publications) score better 
in review and are more likely to be funded. This perception may drive 
early career investigators to remain in the postdoctoral phase longer 
in order to generate more data. To facilitate more rapid transition of 
postdoctoral scholars that do not require more extended periods of 
mentored research training and focus review of K99 applications on 
creative ideas and research potential (vs productivity) of applicants, 
the ACD WG recommended that the K99/R00 eligibility window be limited 
to the first 2 years of postdoctoral experience and that NIH should 
adapt review and award processes and policies to ensure a broader range 
of early career investigators benefit from the award.
    Input Requested:
     Describe any potential short- and long-term benefits and/
or challenges to the postdoctoral workforce that may result from 
limiting the K99/R00 eligibility timeframe to no more than 2 years of 
postdoctoral experience.
     How should the K99/R00 mechanism and review criteria be 
revised to better emphasize creative ideas and innovation over research 
productivity? What specific criteria or metrics should be used to 
evaluate creativity and potential impact of applicants' research 
proposals?
     Provide input on key NIH and extramural institutional 
policies, processes or resources that may need to be developed or 
revised to ensure that changes to K99/R00 program eligibility do not 
negatively impact access to these awards to a broader range of 
postdoctoral scholars.
    Recommendation 4: Promote training and professional development of 
postdoctoral scholars and their mentors.
    Description: Career and professional development training (which 
can include leadership, teaching, mentorship, grant writing, lab 
management and other skills) are critical components of the 
postdoctoral experience and are defining elements of academic science 
training. Public comments received by the ACD postdoc RFI and listening 
sessions indicate that postdoc scholars have difficulty pursuing these 
training opportunities due to pressure to focus solely on research 
during work hours. Based on this feedback, the NIH ACD WG recommended 
that institutions should: (1) ensure that postdoctoral scholars receive 
career and professional development opportunities as an integrated, 
measured component of the postdoctoral experience that occupies a 
minimum average of 10% of a postdoctoral scholar's effort, (2) create 
policies and resources to ensure equitable access to this training and 
(3) require regular training and for individuals serving in the mentor 
role to postdoctoral scholars mentor (and for postdocs themselves).
    Input Requested:
     Provide suggestions/strategies for how NIH and extramural 
institutions can ensure that career and professional development 
training becomes an integrated and measured component of the 
postdoctoral experience. What policies and resources should 
institutions establish to ensure equitable access to career and 
professional development training for all postdoctoral scholars? How 
can institutions address barriers to participation, such as limited 
availability of training programs or conflicts with research 
obligations?
     What specific skills and competencies are essential for 
individuals serving in the mentor role for postdoctoral scholars? How 
should institutions require and support mentor training to ensure the 
effective mentorship of postdoctoral scholars? Describe any necessary 
resources required by investigators and institutions to support the 
implementation of required training opportunities for mentors
     Are there opportunities for collaboration between 
institutions, funding agencies, and professional organizations to 
enhance career and

[[Page 60909]]

professional development opportunities for postdoctoral scholars? How 
can partnerships with industry, government agencies, and non-profit 
organizations contribute to the enrichment of postdoctoral training 
experiences?

Submitting a Response

    Comments should be submitted electronically to the following web 
page: (https://rfi.grants.nih.gov/?s=6660cc1aa1264f88920cf122).
    This RFI is for planning purposes only and should not be construed 
as a policy, solicitation for applications, or as an obligation on the 
part of the Government to provide support for any ideas identified in 
response to it. Please note that the Government will not pay for the 
preparation of any information submitted or for its use of that 
information.
    Please do not include any proprietary, classified, confidential, or 
sensitive information in your response. Responses will be compiled, and 
a content analysis will be shared publicly after the close of the 
comment period. The NIH may use information gathered by this Notice to 
inform future policy development.

    Dated: July 19, 2024.
Lawrence Tabak,
Principal Deputy Director, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 2024-16649 Filed 7-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P