NIH-mandated Individual Development Plans - 6 views

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  #1 cmtheusch on 14 Oct 14

   

  I am fascinated by the recent move by the NIH to require all graduate students and postdoctoral researchers funded by grants from the NIH (or funded by their PI's NIH grant) to explicitly outline their short- and long-term learning objectives in what is known as an "Individual Development Plan" or "IDP". These IDPs are then shared with both the NIH and with the PI so that the self-imposed learning goals are transparent across all those levels. They can also be discussed freely at any point, and the IDP is considered a "living document" - revised continually to reflect the student's and PI's changing goals in the world of research and professional development. Outwardly, I think it's a great idea. But does it really work to eliminate the common problems of disconnect between PI and grad student? Does it really help grad students an post docs develop skills for the job market? Does it help student keep goals in sight and matriculate faster or with less incident?
  
  This is something I'll also bring up in the forum, as I am truly interested in this group's feedback about these "IDPs". Do they work? Time will tell, and I hope there are educational researchers getting in on the ground floor with this. If not, maybe I should fill that niche :) My ideas for understanding if these IDPs really work are endless!

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">I am fascinated by the recent move by the NIH to require all graduate students and postdoctoral researchers funded by grants from the NIH (or funded by their PI's NIH grant) to explicitly outline their short- and long-term learning objectives in what is known as an "Individual Development Plan" or "IDP". These IDPs are then shared with both the NIH and with the PI so that the self-imposed learning goals are transparent across all those levels. They can also be discussed freely at any point, and the IDP is considered a "living document" - revised continually to reflect the student's and PI's changing goals in the world of research and professional development. Outwardly, I think it's a great idea. But does it really work to eliminate the common problems of disconnect between PI and grad student? Does it really help grad students an post docs develop skills for the job market? Does it help student keep goals in sight and matriculate faster or with less incident? <br /> <br /> This is something I'll also bring up in the forum, as I am truly interested in this group's feedback about these "IDPs". Do they work? Time will tell, and I hope there are educational researchers getting in on the ground floor with this. If not, maybe I should fill that niche :) My ideas for understanding if these IDPs really work are endless!</div>

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