Emerging Research Leaders Academy
Leadership training to support research excellence
The Emerging Research Leaders Academy (ERLA) considers the unique needs of mid-career faculty at Illinois to achieve research success. This program provides vital leadership and team science training that will help faculty pursue large, multi-PI grants, lead campus research initiatives, enhance their own research programs, and ultimately position Illinois for research excellence.
Program details
Throughout the fall and spring semesters, a series of monthly in-person workshops will support development of leadership and management skills and encourage the application of those skills to research. Each participant will develop a 5-year action plan and receive recognition as an Emerging Research Leadership Scholar upon completion of the program.
Participants are expected to attend the orientation and at least five of the six workshops throughout the fall and spring semesters. Each three-hour workshop will include a presentation by an on- or off-campus subject expert and an interactive discussion or activity. Participants will also be encouraged to attend supplemental discussion sessions (“candid conversations”) between the main workshops to dive deeper into the concepts covered in the workshops and potential applications to research.
2025-26 Workshop Sessions
Orientation and CliftonStrengths
Sept. 10, 2025
Welcome address from the VCRI and institute directors. Introduction to the workshop series, expectations, and CliftonStrengths workshop.
Leading and Managing Teams
Oct. 8, 2025
Collaboration and teamwork are essential to a successful career in science, especially if you want to take your research program in a new direction. This session will introduce team science concepts with a focus on team norms, strategies for communication and conflict resolution, and creating psychological safety.
Building Diverse and Inclusive Teams
Nov. 12, 2025
Diverse teams have been proven to be more innovative and productive. Participants will learn strategies for running effective and inclusive meetings and incorporating diverse perspectives to ensure everyone on the team has an equitable voice.
Strategic Leadership and Management
Jan. 14, 2026
We all have ideas of which qualities make someone a good leader. This session will discuss what those qualities are and how to harness them to build your leadership identity and make a positive impact on your colleagues and organization. Strategies for project management, goal setting, and creating a 5-year action plan for both personal and professional growth will be introduced.
Mentoring
Feb. 11, 2026
At this point in your career, you have likely built an extensive mentoring network made up of relationships in which you are the mentor or mentee. This session will discuss the importance and mutual benefits of mentoring relationships and how to approach those relationships with intention. Participants will explore strategies for aligning expectations as the mentor or mentee, identify the individuals in their mentoring network, and define the role(s) mentors should play in professional development.
Effective Research Communication
Mar. 11, 2026
Scientists are taught how to communicate their research to other scientists, but how do you communicate your work to a broader audience? This session will cover how to effectively communicate your science to a variety of audiences. You will construct an elevator pitch for your research and learn innovative ways to promote the impact of your research.
Presentation of Action Plans and Graduation
Apr. 8, 2026
The cohort will present their action plans to peers, department heads, and other campus leaders. Certificates of completion will be presented during a celebration reception.
Eligibility and selection process
The Emerging Research Leaders Academy is designed for associate professors and newly promoted full professors who have not yet led a large, multi-PI grant or campus initiative. Participants should be at least one year post-tenure or equivalent. Non-tenure track faculty and research with a record of independent funding as single-PIs and are now looking to lead larger efforts will be fully considered for the cohort. Participants must commit to attending the orientation and at least five of the six workshops.
All nominations must be submitted online by the nominee’s dean, department head, or director. Once nominated, the nominee will be asked to complete an application, including a current CV and statement of interest. A financial commitment of $500 from the department of each person selected is required to participate in the program. This fee will help cover program expenses and materials.
A selection committee will review the applications and select the cohort of approximately 12-15. Applicants will be evaluated based on their commitment to finishing the program (i.e., attending the orientation and at least five of the six workshops) and potential for future leadership.
Timeline
- April 28, 2025 – Call for nominations opens
- May 16, 2025 – Nominations due
- June 2, 2025 – Applications due
- July 11, 2025 – Selected cohort notified
- September 10, 2025 – Program begins
- April 8, 2026 – Program ends
Questions?
Please contact Maggie Berg for more information.
2024–25 Emerging Research Leaders
Fifteen researchers from 15 units were selected to participate in the 2024-25 cohort of the Emerging Research Leaders Academy.
This program is facilitated by Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute (IHSI), in partnership with Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, College of Applied Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Grainger College of Engineering, and Office of Proposal Development.