FASEB Contributes to National Workforce Discussions at NPA Annual Conference

By: CJ Neely
Thursday, March 26, 2026
As it marked 150 years of postdoctoral scholars in the United States, the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) highlighted the evolving role of postdocs in the research enterprise at its annual conference. FASEB participated in the meeting to contribute to national discussions on workforce policy, advocacy, and professional development, and to support ongoing collaboration with the NPA on issues affecting postdoctoral researchers.

FASEB led a session focused on strengthening advocacy by connecting credible workforce data with lived experience. Data from federal sources, including NSF and NIH, continue to show shifts in the biomedical workforce, including fewer U.S.-trained PhDs pursuing postdoctoral training and differences in compensation across sectors. As discussed in the session, effective advocacy brings together data, lived experience, and clear, actionable messages to shape institutional and policy decisions. 

The Professional Development Hub (pd|hub) also highlighted its Mentorship Action Collaborative, an NIH-funded initiative developed in partnership with CIMER to advance evidence-based approaches to career-related mentoring. They are currently engaging with the research training community to gather perspectives, resources, and feedback to support the development and adoption of scalable mentorship practices. To learn more or get involved, explore the pd|hub Mentorship Action Collaborative. 

FASEB encourages members to utilize available advocacy resources, including workforce data, policy tracking tools, and guidance for engaging with policymakers. The next NPA Annual Conference is scheduled for April 9–10, 2027, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.