ABRCMS Innovation Programs: Leadership Development Academy

ABRCMS Innovation Programs:
Leadership Development Academy

October 4-6, 2024

Training the Next Generation to Become Leaders in STEM

The ABRCMS Innovation Programs’ Leadership Development Academy is the next step forward in aiding the ABRCMS community and supporting our commitment to advancing the fields or science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through diversity.

The Leadership Development Academy is an intensive 2.5-day summit bringing together top STEM senior-level graduate students and early-career postdoctoral fellows to gain crucial skills needed to excel as leaders in their field and drive change at the highest levels.

2024 Nominations Are Now Closed

Check back here for updates on future ABRCMS Innovation Programs in 2025.

Important Dates

Nomination & Applications Now Closed
Academy Summit: October 4-6, 2024

Questions: sgadwal@asmusa.org

What is the Leadership Development Academy?

The ABRCMS Innovation Programs’ Leadership Development Academy is a 2.5-day intensive program geared towards senior-level graduate students (post pre-liminary exams) and early-career postdoctoral fellows (no more than 2 years of postdoctoral experience) studying in one of 12 scientific disciplines and ready to take the next step in their leadership journey.

When: October 4-6, 2024

Friday, October 4: 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, October 5: 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, October 6: 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET

Where: ASM Headquarters, 1752 N St. NW, Washington, DC, 20036

How to Apply: Nominations and Applications are now closed. Please check back here for updates on future ABRCMS Innovation Programs in 2025.

Program Benefits

Through intentional programing, sessions and collaborative projects, participants will walk away with a whole new set of skills to propel them forward in their leadership journey.

Explore leadership journeys, role-modeling and inclusive leadership styles.
Learn techniques for effective communication and feedback.
Get hands on experience practicing leadership qualities with community team projects.
Get support for navigating leadership difficulties, including microaggressions and managing conflict.
Position yourself for leadership opportunities by building your personal brand and advocating for resources.
And so much more!

Program Expectations

Participants in the Leadership Development Academy are expected to:

Attend the 2.5-day program from October 4-6, 2024, at the ASM Headquarters in Washington, DC.
Option to attend ABRCMS 2024, taking place in-person, Nov. 13-16 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Complete a community project virtually within their assigned team over 4-months and present at the virtual ABRCMS365: Career & Research Summit in February/Early-March 2025.

Eligibility and Nomination Process

Who can be a participant?

The Leadership Development Academy is open to senior-level graduate students (post pre-liminary exam) and early-career postdoctoral fellows (no more than 2 years of postdoctoral experience) studying in one of 12 scientific disciplines. Nominations from program directors or faculty are mandatory.

Nomination & Acceptance Process

Each program director or faculty member can only nominate one person. Nominations and applications will be thoroughly reviewed on a rolling basis and be capped at 50 participants.

Each nomination must include these components:

A paragraph (no more than 500 words) describing why you are nominating this individual for the Leadership Development Academy, how the Academy would benefit the individual in developing their leadership and management skills, and any leadership projects that the nominee has done that made a difference to or impacted their classroom, university or community.
The nominee's full name and email address to complete the remaining application.

Nominees must include these components in their application:

Your CV outlining your education, experiences, volunteer work and publication records.
A paragraph (no more than 500 words) describing why you are interested in attending the ABRCMS Leadership Development Academy including information about your goals and what leadership skills you seek to attain your goals.

Nominations by program directors or faculty and applications by the nominee will be reviewed on a rolling basis up until the first 50 participants are selected. Please try to submit your nominations and applications by August 30, 2024. If 50 participants are not reached by August 30, 2024, we will keep the nomination and application portal open until spots are filled.

To get started:

Share this page and information with the student or postdoc you'd like to nominate for the program.
The nominator must fill out the nomination form and notify the student or postdoc.
The student or postdoc must complete the remaining form by following the directions sent to their email.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis up until the first 50 participants are selected. We recommend that you submit your application by August 30, 2024.
Applicants will be notified if they are selected for the program on a rolling basis.
Applicants will have 2 business days from the time of receiving the notification to accept the invitation.

Q&A

Eligibility Questions

What kinds of research fit within the 12 scientific disciplines?

Review the 12 scientific disciplines to see where your research fits in. If it fits into one of the 12 scientific disciplines, then you are eligible for nomination.

Nomination Questions

Who is eligible to nominate senior-level graduate students (post pre-liminary exams) and early-career postdoctoral fellows (no more than 2 years of postdoctoral experience)?

Any current faculty at an institution or program director of training programs can nominate an eligible candidate. The program director or faculty member can nominate a candidate regardless of whether they are at the same institution or not. The nominator must be able to explain what the nominee will gain from attending the Leadership Development Academy in the nomination form.

Does the nominator need to be an ASM Member?

No, the nominator does not need to be an ASM member to nominate a senior-level graduate student or an early-career postdoctoral fellow.

Can a nominee self-nominate?

We do not accept self-nominations. If you are a senior-level graduate student or an early-career postdoctoral fellow and would like to apply, please find a program director or faculty member who can nominate you.

The website says only one nomination per program director or faculty, what happens if more than one PI submits a nomination at my program?

Each PI, program director, or faculty member can submit one nomination. If a PI, program director, or faculty member has multiple students or postdocs in mind to nominate, they must pick one for nomination. More than one nomination per institution is accepted, so multiple PIs, program directors, or faculty members from the same institution can nominate a graduate student or postdoc.

Selection Process Questions

Does the nominee need to be involved in ABRCMS to be selected for this program?

No, the nominee does not need to be involved with ABRCMS prior to the Leadership Development Academy.

Are there specific skills or experiences that the nominee needs to be selected for this program?

There are no specific skills or experiences needed to be selected for this program. We are looking for individuals who can explain what they would like to get out of the Leadership Development Academy. We recommend that you think of leadership in different environments and explain in your application how leadership fits with your career goals.

Program Questions

What are the community projects that the teams in the Leadership Development Academy are expected to do?

While attending the Leadership Development Academy, you will work with your team to pick your community project and create a plan to execute the project. Some examples of potential projects you can do are writing a manuscript on leadership skills, organizing a presentation describing how leadership training has improved your career, presenting an informative seminar about your teams’ area of expertise in your local community or creating a support network for all the participants of the leadership training.

Is the Leadership Development Academy going to sponsor participants interested in attending ABRCMS 2024?

Yes, if the participants want to attend ABRCMS 2024 to meet with their teams and work on their community project, we will fund you to go to ABRCMS 2024.

Costs and Accommodations

There will be no cost to participants. The program will cover travel, housing and meals. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will each receive a stipend of $250.

Program

Below is a preliminary programming schedule for the 3-day summit.

Friday 4th Saturday 5th Sunday 6th Additional 2024-2025 Events

Friday 4th

ABRCMS Leadership Development Academy, October 4-6, 2024 | ASM Headquarters, Washington DC

Time	Event
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Registration & Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.	Welcome & Introductions
9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.	Program Overview, Goals & Expectations
9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.	Keynote Panel: A Leader’s Journey
10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.	Break
10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.	Leadership Role-Model Activity
11:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.	Reflection Time
11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.	Session Topic 1: Cultural competence/inclusive leadership/leadership styles
12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.	Reflection Time
12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.	Networking Lunch
1:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.	Interactive/Experiential Workshop 1: Communication & Feedback
2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.:	Reflection Time
3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.	Introduction to Community Projects
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.	Teams Discuss, Pick Projects & Report Out
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.	Teams Work on Community Projects
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.	Networking Reception/Dinner

Saturday 5th

ABRCMS Leadership Development Academy, October 4-6, 2024 | ASM Headquarters, Washington DC

Time	Event
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.	Session 2: Building Personal Brand
9:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.	Reflection Time
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.	Interactive/Experiential Workshop 2: Networking & Collaboration
11:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.	Reflection Time
11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.	Session 3: Responding to Microaggressions
11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.	Reflection Time
12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.	Lunch
1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.	Teams Work on Community Projects
3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.	Break
4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.	Session 4: Positioning for Leadership Opportunities & Charting Career Paths
4:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.	Reflection Time
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.	Session 5: Professionals from Marginalized Communities Operating in the Workplace
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.	Interactive/Experiential Workshop 3: Conflict Management
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.	Networking Dinner

Sunday 6th

ABRCMS Leadership Development Academy, October 4-6, 2024 | ASM Headquarters, Washington DC

Time	Event
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.	Initial Presentation of Community Projects
11:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.	Break
11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.	Closing Keynote- Inspirational About Future Leadership
12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.	Closing Remarks and Next Steps
12:30 p.m.	Grab-and-Go Lunches

Additional 2024-2025 Events

Additional optional and required events included as part of the ABRCMS Leadership Development Academy.

Date	Event & Location
November 13-16, 2024	Optional to Attend: ABRCMS 2024 (Pittsburgh, PA)
February/Early-March 2025	Required: ABRCMS365: Career & Research Summit (Virtual)