What is an IDP?
An individual development plan, also called a postdoctoral mentoring plan, helps you:
- assess your skills, interests, and values;
- create a plan for achieving your academic and professional goals;
- communicate with your mentors about your evolving plan and needs.
Creating an IDP is a process through which you reflect, plan, discuss, and ultimately achieve your academic and professional goals. It is your responsibility to develop and maintain your IDP. You are encouraged to share your IDP with your mentors.
University of Arizona Postdoctoral IDP
We suggest using the following IDP, which you can modify according to your needs. Find the short and the long versions of the IDPs in word and PDF below:
Postdoctoral Affairs IDP (long, pdf) Postdoctoral Affairs IDP (long, doc)
Postdoctoral Affairs IDP (short, pdf) Postdoctoral Affairs IDP (short, doc)
Other IDPs
- The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) offers resources helpful for postdoc professional development. The University of Arizona is a sustaining member of the NPA. Anyone affiliated with the University of Arizona may join the NPA for free. For example, if you are a UArizona postdoc, check the box "Affiliate Individual Member, Postdoc."
- Example of IDP from the University of Colorado Boulder.