Presented by the Genetics Society of America (GSA)
Applications are now open for the 2025–2026 cohort of the Early Career Leadership Program (ECLP)
The Genetics Society of America (GSA) is pleased to announce the opening of applications for its Early Career Leadership Program (ECLP). This unique opportunity is designed for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who are ready to expand their professional horizons, build leadership skills, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of the scientific community.
GSA recognizes that early career researchers are the future of genetics and related disciplines. In response, the ECLP was created to provide emerging scientists with the tools, experiences, and networks they need to make a lasting impact—not only within the GSA community but also throughout the broader research ecosystem.
About the Program
The ECLP is a fully virtual, structured leadership development program that connects early career scientists from around the world. Over the course of the program, participants work in collaborative teams to identify, develop, and implement projects that address unmet needs in the scientific community. These initiatives aim to strengthen support systems, improve communication, foster inclusion, and enhance professional development opportunities for early career researchers.
Participants also have the option to enroll in a writing workshop specifically designed to meet the needs of early career scientists. This professional development experience aims to improve scientific communication skills and enhance the ability to translate research and leadership efforts into compelling written outputs.
Upon completion of the program, participants will have built a strong peer network, developed a portfolio of tangible outcomes, and gained skills and experiences that will serve them throughout their careers.
Program Structure and Focus Areas
ECLP participants are organized into subcommittees, each focusing on a key theme or issue relevant to early career scientists. Themes may include:
Scientific communication and public engagement
Career development, mentorship, and job market preparedness
Equity, diversity, and inclusion in the sciences
Policy engagement and advocacy for science
Mental health and well-being for researchers
Community-building and cross-disciplinary collaboration
Each subcommittee is supported by an advisor with experience relevant to its focus area. Together, participants and advisors work to design and implement projects that have real-world value and contribute to the ongoing evolution of GSA’s programming for early career scientists.
Benefits of Participation
The ECLP offers a range of benefits for participants, including:
Professional development and leadership experience
Participants gain hands-on experience in project management, strategic planning, collaboration, and leadership. These skills are highly transferable and applicable to a wide variety of career paths in academia, industry, non-profit, and government sectors.
Tangible project outcomes
Participants will produce deliverables such as toolkits, events, resources, blog posts, or reports that can be showcased in job applications and professional portfolios.
Network building
The program fosters connections with a diverse cohort of early career scientists, as well as with mentors and advisors from across the GSA community. These relationships provide lasting professional support and opportunities for collaboration.
Improved communication skills
Participants have the option to engage in a writing workshop designed to refine their writing and science communication abilities, an increasingly essential skill set in today’s scientific landscape.
Increased visibility and recognition
Participants’ work will be recognized by GSA and may be shared through GSA’s communications platforms, providing an opportunity to build visibility within and beyond the society.
Eligibility
Applicants must be graduate students (Master’s or PhD) or postdoctoral researchers working in genetics or a related field. The program is open to applicants globally. GSA membership is required to participate, though applicants may activate or renew membership upon acceptance into the program.
There are no prerequisites in terms of previous leadership experience. Applicants should, however, demonstrate a strong interest in leadership, collaboration, and contributing to the scientific community.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should begin by reviewing the ECLP Application Checklist, available here. This checklist outlines the required components of a successful application, including:
Responses to a series of short-answer questions
A current CV or résumé
Contact information and background details
Applicants are encouraged to review the checklist carefully before submitting, to ensure a complete and competitive application.
Important Notes
Applications must be submitted through the official GSA ECLP application portal. Only complete submissions received before the stated deadline will be considered.
GSA also welcomes expressions of interest from established scientists who would like to serve as advisors to the ECLP subcommittees. If you are interested in mentoring the next generation of scientific leaders, please complete the ECLP Advisor Interest Survey.
Contact and Further Information
To learn more about the program or ask questions about the application process, please visit:
https://genetics-gsa.org/eclp
Or email: [email protected]
The Early Career Leadership Program is your opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the future of science while advancing your own career. Apply today to be part of this dynamic and impactful initiative.
For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram
Related