Create Your Individual Development Plan
For Graduate Students
For Postdoctoral Researchers
For Mentors
External Resources
- myIDP (for STEM fields)
- ImaginePhD (for Humanities and Social Science fields)
Required for Students and Postdocs Funded by NIH
Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers funded by NIH are required to complete
an IDP each year.
NIH Policy on IDPs
According to NOT-OD-14-113, “NIH encourages grantees to develop institutional policies that employ an IDP for every graduate student and postdoctoral researcher supported by NIH awards. Beginning on October 1, 2014, annual progress reports are required to include a description of whether the institution uses IDPs or not and how they are employed to help manage the training and career development of those individuals.”
Who is responsible for ensuring USC NIH-funded researchers comply with this policy?
It is the responsibility of the NIH awardee (Principal Investigator) to include a report on the use of IDPs in the Research Progress Performance Report (RPPR).
Required for Students and Postdocs Funded by NSF
Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers funded by NSF are required to complete an IDP each year.
NSF Policy on IDPs
According to Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (version 24-1) Chapter VII.B.7: "In accordance with Section 10313 (42 U.S.C. § 18993) of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, for each NSF award that provides substantial support to postdoctoral scholars and graduate students, each individual must have an Individual Development Plan, which is updated annually, that maps the educational goals, career exploration, and professional development of the individual. NSF defines “substantial support” as an individual that has received one person month or more during the annual reporting period under the NSF award."
Who is responsible for ensuring USC NIH-funded researchers comply with this policy?
It is the responsibility of the NSF awardee (Principal Investigator) to certify that all graduate students and posdoctoral researchers have IDPs in the Annual Report and Final Annual Report.
Why Create an Individual Development Plan?
The Office of Research and The Graduate School strongly encourage the use of IDPs for all graduate students and postdoctoral researchers for identifying professional development opportunities and to aid in career planning.
Help Setting and Reaching Career Goals
Documenting accomplishments, areas to develop further and attainable professional goals in a comprehensive document can lead to greater professional success as you prepare to start your desired career.
Graduate Students/Postdoctoral Researchers Work Together
Creating an IDP is an opportunity for graduate students and/or postdoctoral researchers and faculty mentors to openly discuss career goals and work together to create a plan to reach those goals.