A Faculty Development Plan (FDP) outlines professional development opportunities and career objectives for the NIH FIRST new faculty and helps them create a plan to meet their goals. FDPs should be developed in consultation with mentors and the sponsor, who can direct new faculty to resources and opportunities. NIH FIRST can use the FDP to set:

1. annual goals in the areas of research, teaching, service, and outreach if appropriate;
2. annual goals within the context of department/ school, college, university and field-wide priorities;
3. long-term professional goals; and
4. personal life goals.