Leadership Training For STEM Professionals

About the Program

The LPSLI is an intensive five-day course to develop participant agency and influence through small group exercises, conversations with guest leaders, networking opportunities, and extensive community building. The LPSLI culminates in the articulation of a leadership development plan that lays the foundation for participants to lead positive change in service to STEM excellence.

Accepted applicants will engage in experiential training with their cohort over the course of a work week, including:

✅ Workshops to explore topics such as: Leading Change, Toxic Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Management of Bias, Leadership Development Planning, Individual Assessments and more

✅ Build relationship with distinguished leaders and engage with institute alumni

✅ Upon program completion, enter a network of 440+ alumni who are creating stronger, more inclusive STEM environments at academic institutions, nonprofits, government, and for-profit science companies

Application Deadline: Applications close April 18th, 2025 at 11:59 pm PT

Questions? Contact Programs Director, Elizabeth Aguilera, PhD

We thank Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) for hosting LPSLI this year.

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The Details

Program Dates & Location: June 9 - 13, 2025, at HHMI Headquarters in Chevy Chase, Maryland

Eligibility: Must be an early- or mid-career STEM professional (defined below) working to advance change in STEM. Applicants should have a terminal degree, such as a doctorate. For any questions about eligibility, please contact us.

Early career STEM professionals are generally in their first 3 - 7 years following the awarding of a terminal degree and/or postdoctoral research training
Mid-Career STEM professionals have generally moved beyond their entry-level status through promotion or transition to new roles of increased responsibility

Please note, postdocs are not eligible to apply for LPSLI. If you are a postdoc, our separate program - the Postdoc Leadership Institute (PLI) will be hosted at NDiSTEM.

Requirements:

Program Investment: up to $2,500

Participants must work with their company/institution to support up to a $2,500 cost share – representing only 25% of the total cost of this program. If institutional funding cannot be secured, SACNAS will fully support the participation of accepted candidates.
Full participation

Participants must be available for the duration of the Institute; travel will be arranged to ensure participants attend all activities. Participants are also required to attend and actively contribute at all sessions, including a virtual component prior to the Institute (~5-10hrs)

Resources:

Learn About the History of LPSLI Here

SACNAS Postdoc Leadership Institute (PLI)

SACNAS is excited to announce that we are accepting applications to participate in the fifth annual Postdoc Leadership Institute (PLI)!

PLI is a pre-conference event held during the 2025 NDiSTEM Conference in Columbus, OH, October 30th - November 1st, 2025. PLI workshops are specifically held on October 28th, 29th and November 1st, with a provided roadmap of required activities during the conference.

PLI Applications are open now through July 25th.

SACNAS Postdoc Leadership Institute (PLI)

SACNAS is excited to announce that we are accepting applications to participate in the fifth annual Postdoc Leadership Institute (PLI)!

PLI Applications are open now through July 25th.

About the Program

PLI is a three-part workshop; Wednesday is dedicated to developing participant leadership competencies and skills, Thursday through Friday participants will have opportunities to practice their leadership at the 2025 SACNAS conference, and Saturday will be dedicated to finalizing a leadership action plan. PLI is for postdocs looking to develop their ability to bring their whole selves – including their culture – to their leadership practice. Participants will access a customized curriculum, mentoring opportunities, and both leadership attributes and practical skills training focused on team leadership, discernment, identity, and cultivating community. Participants will end the conference having gained essential leadership competencies and skills and be a part of a strong and diverse network of fellow STEM leaders for year-round support.

Accepted participants will be equipped with:

Leadership competencies (knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes)
Discernment – Ability to know yourself and navigate any space, from your research to your relationships with colleagues and potential employers
Identity as a strength – you bring insight others may not have
Skills to set values-based priorities
Skills to lead teams in a culturally responsive manner
A network of fellow diverse STEM leaders for year-round support.

Program Details

Program Dates & Location: October 28, 29 & Nov 1, 2025.

PLI is a pre-conference event held during the #NDiSTEM2025 Conference in Columbus, Ohio, October 30 - November 1, 2025.

Eligibility:

Must be a postdoc having begun the position no later than April 2025 [i.e., have been a postdoc for at least six (6) months or more].
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (subject to funding requirements).

Program Investment: Up to $750

Participants must work with their company/institution to support up to a $750 cost share. If institutional funding cannot be secured, SACNAS will fully support the participation of accepted candidates.

Questions? Contact Programs Director, Elizabeth Aguilera, PhD