The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) was established in 2003 to improve the working conditions of postdocs. It has received funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and assistance from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Its threefold mission is to provide a voice for postdocs; build consensus concerning best practices; and collaborate with government bodies, funding agencies, and professional organizations.

Science's Next Wave, a weekly online publication from Science magazine and AAAS dealing with scientific training, career development, and the job market, has launched Postdoc Network, a forum of practical information for postdocs and their mentors. To collect consistent data to aid policymaking on postdocs, Sigma Xi, the scientific research society, is collaborating with NPA on a postdoc survey project, to be administered in spring 2004.