The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, has shortened the eligibility requirement for its popular Pathway to Independence award, a grant of up to US$947,000 that helps postdoctoral researchers to establish their own labs. From February 2014, applicants must have a maximum of four years of postdoctoral training experience, rather than the current five. The change is intended to encourage postdocs to complete their training more quickly, says Sally Rockey, the agency's deputy director for extramural research. Lorraine Tracey, chair of the National Postdoctoral Association's board of directors in Washington DC, says that applicants should start planning their next career phase within their first postdoc year. The NIH hopes eventually to make awards to 30% of applicants, up from 23% at present.