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New NASA Postdoctoral Program Policy Helps Level Playing FieldCOLUMBIA, Md., Nov. 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 200 NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) Fellows at NASA Centers and institutions from coast to coast will now have the opportunity to continue receiving stipends during time away from work beginning immediately thanks to a new policy. This is a major improvement over the old procedure, where stipends stopped while the fellows were absent from their posts. "This is a policy for the 21st century," said Dr. Joan Schmelz, USRA Director of NPP. "It's 'one giant leap' for work-life balance at NASA, not just for women, but for everyone." Schmelz has been working to get this policy in place since she took the reins of NPP in February 2019. She heard an outcry from current fellows, alums, and scientific colleagues clamoring for change. Under the old policy, the amount of time away from work needed to be negotiated on a case-by-case basis. The burden was on the Fellow, who was dependent on the good will of their NASA research advisor. This burden has finally been lifted with a twelve-week guarantee. "The new policy allows every Fellow to do their best research," Schmelz added. "If you want to level the playing field, this is where you start." USRA, which administers NPP, has been working with NASA to create the new policy. "ur early career scientists juggle many priorities as they get established in challenging careers," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate morning in Washington. "I applaud this new policy, which will help these young people to succeed and become the leaders we'll need tomorrow." NPP was established in 2005 when it transitioned from a program run by the National Research Council (NRC). Both NPP and its predecessor provide opportunities for scientists and engineers to work at NASA centers on NASA research, with a legacy that goes back for over 40 years. About NPP About USRA NPP Contact: PR Contact: View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-nasa-postdoctoral-program-policy-helps-level-playing-field-300952954.html SOURCE Universities Space Research Association |