Message to the NPA Community

January 3, 2025

The events of the last two weeks in Washington have not only moved at a breakneck pace, but they have caused disruption to the research enterprise, including the work of many of our NPA member postdocs and institutions. The NPA is highly aware of this complex and confusing situation and sympathetic to our members trying to make progress in critical research benefiting Americans and the world across countless disciplines.

Although changes are expected at the start of any administration as new policies and personnel are put into place, recent events have caused great uncertainty for many within the postdoctoral community. I have heard from postdocs suddenly looking to transition out of academia or to leave the United States to continue their research. Likewise, some international postdocs have expressed strong fears of speaking up due to new or potential changes in immigration policies. Other postdocs in direct-pay federal fellowships are concerned about receiving their salaries– if you fall in this category, let the NPA know as soon as possible.

The challenges are real. The reactions are justified.

I encourage our postdoc members to lean into your strengths. Focus on what brings you joy. Reach out to friends, family and colleagues. Share your vulnerability. Give yourself grace. Tap into employer or community assistance resources. Remember you are part of a larger community. And rely on that resilience that has helped you reach the highest levels of scholarship.

The NPA stands with you. We are working hard to stay on top of the fast-changing landscape of executive orders and department and agency appointments and recommend that you also consult verifiable sources of information to stay informed. (Links provided below.) Some new orders impact federal research funding, immigration, and diversity policy, all important to our membership. We expect increased clarity in the implementation of these policies and understanding of their impacts in the weeks ahead.

We remain true to our values, including an unwavering commitment to inclusivity within the postdoctoral community as we celebrate Black History Month. Today, we step forward by releasing our 2025-2027 National Postdoctoral Association Strategic Plan containing a dozen strategies to drive our mission. We hope its energy and optimism creates new ways for you to work with the NPA and/or your home institution to promote change. We invite you to be a part of it.

The NPA will also continue to offer professional development and leadership opportunities, ways to engage with experts, platforms for you to connect and share thoughts with colleagues, roles to help amplify and address the needs of postdocs, and chances to express your opinions and raise your voices to policymakers through NPA’s advocacy efforts. You can connect in-person with your peers at our Annual Conference, join our committees, or reach out to the NPA with your thoughts, ideas or concerns.

The NPA is made up of people like you. We appreciate all that you do. Together, we will weather this uncertainty and any new challenges that lie ahead.

Thomas P. Kimbis
Executive Director & CEO
National Postdoctoral Association

Sample resources of information on recent federal policy:

AAAS/ScienceInsider
American Council on Education
COGR
Federal Register
National Science Foundation
White House