Resources for postdocs

Dear postdoctoral scholars,
 
At the forum hosted by the MIT Postdoctoral Association earlier this month, I took the opportunity to discuss the financial constraints campus research may face under certain scenarios. Reductions in federal sponsored research, caps on the indirect costs sponsors will reimburse, and/or increases to the tax on university endowments could all be imposed on MIT and other research institutions. Given the uncertainty right now, MIT has advised principal investigators (PIs) to take a conservative approach to new funding commitments on federal awards.
 
You may also be aware of the hiring freeze MIT is implementing across campus as a mitigating measure along with reductions to FY26 operating budgets. For postdoctoral associates and fellows, hiring and appointment renewals can proceed, provided a review determines funding is available. All PIs and research administrators are carefully monitoring sponsored and non-sponsored research funding to anticipate the effects of any loss of funding, to the extent possible. Please speak with your PI and/or your key administrative contact to understand your specific circumstances and the policies applicable in the event that your appointment cannot be renewed.
 
The Institute is assessing the initial impacts of executive actions, new agency guidance, and legal developments as we hear of these. If at any point you have questions about the implementation of federal guidance with respect to MIT research funding, you or your PI are invited to contact research-policy-questions@mit.edu, which will reach senior staff in my office and attorneys in the Office of the General Counsel. Any notice you receive from a sponsor regarding a change to an award should be shared immediately with your PI, DLCI leadership, Research Administration Services (RAS) Contract Administrator, and research-policy-questions@mit.edu.
 
The best way to keep in touch with the latest developments is to follow MIT’s webpage on Changes to Federal Research Policy. For additional perspective on broader trends in research funding at MIT, you may find it helpful to review a video I have recorded on the State of the MIT Research Enterprise. Both of these internal resources require Touchstone login for access.
 
All of us in OVPR are keenly aware that it is an unsettling time for MIT researchers, especially those supported by federal awards. You have come to MIT to pursue research that is vital to the community of scholars, as well as to the nation and the world. I encourage you to make the most of MIT resources that will help you continue to thrive — such as the postdoc-specific workshops and one-on-one career advising offered by Career Advising and Professional Development; the peer support and advocacy of the MIT Postdoctoral Association; advisors in the International Scholars Office; confidential counseling and a wide range of services, including financial and legal advice and parenting resources, from MyLife Services; or Work-Life webinars to support your wellbeing. You can also reach out directly to Ann Skoczenski, director of MIT Postdoctoral Services, to ask for help.
 
Sincerely,
 
Ian A. Waitz
Vice President for Research