General Explanation of IDPs | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Source: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/careers/research/fellows/career/individual/explanation
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:13
General Explanation of IDPs | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
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General Explanation of IDPs
Fellows' Career Development
Table of Contents
Benefits of IDPs
Key Points Regarding IDPs
Related Topics
General Explanation of IDPs
Fellows' Career Development
General Explanation of IDPs
How to Create an IDP
IDP Forms
Self-Assessment and Career Counseling
(Source: Jackie Lavigne, Ph.D., M.P.H., Chief, Office of Education, Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics, National Cancer Institute)
An Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a personalized, interactive, and dynamic action plan for use in establishing training and career goals and specific objectives. It can be used for the purposes of tracking progress, providing feedback, facilitating ongoing communication, and/or outlining a path to career success. The IDP leverages principles of adult learning to optimize the mentor-protégé relationship, the foundation upon which effective training rests. Preparing an IDP often requires a prior reflective or explicit self-assessment of values, skills and interests so that career objectives can be defined, short and long-term goals set, and an action plan developed.
Benefits of IDPs
Improves satisfaction and relationships by serving as an effective expectation-setting mechanism
Helps clarify career goals early on
Helps manage time and resources more efficiently
Increases chances of following–through on projects
Increases productivity by focusing efforts
Key Points Regarding IDPs
IDPs are intended to be used as CAREER PLANNING and COMMUNICATION TOOLS
Fellows may develop, review, and revise their IDPs independently or in collaboration/consultation with an agreeable management official (generally, their Principal Investigator (PI) or supervisor), IC training office, OITE, or any additional career mentors of their choosing.
A Fellow or their supervisor may request that a member of their IC training office or OITE attend an IDP discussion with them.
In addition to the supervisor, the Fellows are encouraged to consult with additional career mentors in the development of an IDP.
Related Topics
General Explanation of IDPs
How to Create an IDP
IDP Forms
Self-Assessment and Career Counseling
Fellows’ Individual Development & Exploration Resource
Quick Links
Career Development
Involvement, Awards and Grants
Working at NIEHS
Back
to Top
Last Reviewed: December 19, 2025
Skip Navigation
Close the left navigation
General Explanation of IDPs
Fellows' Career Development
Table of Contents
Benefits of IDPs
Key Points Regarding IDPs
Related Topics
General Explanation of IDPs
Fellows' Career Development
General Explanation of IDPs
How to Create an IDP
IDP Forms
Self-Assessment and Career Counseling
(Source: Jackie Lavigne, Ph.D., M.P.H., Chief, Office of Education, Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics, National Cancer Institute)
An Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a personalized, interactive, and dynamic action plan for use in establishing training and career goals and specific objectives. It can be used for the purposes of tracking progress, providing feedback, facilitating ongoing communication, and/or outlining a path to career success. The IDP leverages principles of adult learning to optimize the mentor-protégé relationship, the foundation upon which effective training rests. Preparing an IDP often requires a prior reflective or explicit self-assessment of values, skills and interests so that career objectives can be defined, short and long-term goals set, and an action plan developed.
Benefits of IDPs
Improves satisfaction and relationships by serving as an effective expectation-setting mechanism
Helps clarify career goals early on
Helps manage time and resources more efficiently
Increases chances of following–through on projects
Increases productivity by focusing efforts
Key Points Regarding IDPs
IDPs are intended to be used as CAREER PLANNING and COMMUNICATION TOOLS
Fellows may develop, review, and revise their IDPs independently or in collaboration/consultation with an agreeable management official (generally, their Principal Investigator (PI) or supervisor), IC training office, OITE, or any additional career mentors of their choosing.
A Fellow or their supervisor may request that a member of their IC training office or OITE attend an IDP discussion with them.
In addition to the supervisor, the Fellows are encouraged to consult with additional career mentors in the development of an IDP.
Related Topics
General Explanation of IDPs
How to Create an IDP
IDP Forms
Self-Assessment and Career Counseling
Fellows’ Individual Development & Exploration Resource
Quick Links
Career Development
Involvement, Awards and Grants
Working at NIEHS
Back
to Top
Last Reviewed: December 19, 2025