Effective May 20, 2024, all National Science Foundation (NSF) grant applications require a mentoring plan for postdoctoral scholars and graduate students (new requirement) supported by the award. In addition, each postdoctoral scholar or graduate student who receives substantial NSF support must have an Individual Development Plan, updated annually, that maps educational goals, career exploration, and professional development.
Details are outlined in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 24-1) in the following sections:
You may also review a summary of the changes below.
Mentoring plans
Per NSF requirements, mentoring plans must:
- be submitted with the grant proposal
- not exceed one page
- describe mentoring to be provided to all postdoctoral scholars or graduate students supported by the proposed project.
Please note:
- Separate plans are not required for postdoctoral scholars or graduate students, but the plan may specify how the mentoring program’s different components will be enacted for the two types of researchers.
- According to the PAPPG, “Mentoring activities provided to postdoctoral scholars or graduate students supported on the project will be evaluated under the Broader Impacts review criterion.”
Individual development plans
For each NSF award providing “substantial support” to postdoctoral scholars and graduate students, each individual must have an Individual Development Plan. This plan:
- must be updated annually
- maps the educational goals, career exploration, and professional development of the individual.
- Requires certification by the PI in annual and final annual reports
The NSF defines “substantial support” as an individual that has received one person month or more during the annual reporting period under the NSF award.