I had the privilege of representing the student and postdoc community at the AAAS Annual Meeting 2026 in Phoenix, and it was an inspiring experience. In addition to engaging scientific discussions and networking, I discovered several opportunities that may be valuable for early-career researchers and thought to share this with the community.
One opportunity is the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) NRC Postdoctoral Research Associateship Program, administered in partnership with the National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council. This two-year fellowship supports outstanding postdoctoral researchers to conduct advanced research aligned with NIST's mission while gaining access to unique facilities and collaborations.
I also learned about the NIST Professional Research Experience Program (PREP), which provides hands-on laboratory experience and financial support for students, recent graduates, and researchers through collaborations between universities and NIST.
For those interested in science engagement and policy, the Scientist Network for Advancing Policy (SNAP) offers a growing community of early-career scientists working to connect science with policy and the public.
Finally, the AAAS Learning Hub is a great resource for building professional skills and exploring career development opportunities at any stage.
Overall, attending the meeting reinforced how valuable the American Association for the Advancement of Science community is for connecting researchers with opportunities that support both scientific and professional growth.
Were you also at the conference? I would love to hear what you learned and any opportunities you discovered.
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Margaret Sena Akpo
Wayne State University
Detroit MI
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