National Postdoctoral Association (NPA)

Description

The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) provides national resources, professional development programming, advocacy, and guidance for postdoctoral trainees across disciplines. Penn is a Supporting Member of the NPA, which allows eligible Penn postdoctoral trainees to access complimentary NPA membership.

Through NPA membership, postdoctoral trainees can access professional development resources, including NPA SmartSkills, The POSTDOCket, regular e-alerts, and national advocacy updates related to postdoctoral training, compensation, benefits, and career development.

Eligibility

Complimentary NPA membership is available to current Penn postdoctoral trainees through Penn’s institutional membership. Eligible postdoctoral trainees include Penn-appointed Postdoctoral Researchers, Postdoctoral Fellows, and NRSA Postdoctoral Fellows whose appointments are active in Penn systems.

Beginning in June 2026, Penn is integrating NPA membership activation into the postdoctoral onboarding process. New Penn postdoctoral trainees will have their NPA membership automatically activated. Current Penn postdoctoral trainees who have not yet activated their membership will also have access activated and should receive a welcome message from the NPA with information about available programs and resources.

Postdoctoral trainees who have already activated their NPA membership do not need to take additional action. Current access will remain unaffected.