In its initial development phase, the Emerging Research Leaders Academy (ERLA) was envisioned as a series of workshops the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute (IHSI) would offer to support faculty interested in pursuing large, multi-investigator grants. After various interviews with faculty who have received center grant funding, IHSI research development staff saw an opportunity for a more comprehensive mentorship program.
“We realized that the biggest challenges for these faculty was lacking the confidence to lead larger efforts and knowing where to go for support, and ERLA evolved into a leadership development program,” said Maggie Berg, Senior Research Development Manager at IHSI and co-facilitator for the ERLA program.
Now in its second year, IHSI is offering continuing education and support for both the current ERLA cohort and ERLA alumni.
Last month, IHSI hosted an insightful workshop on strategies for developing large-scale grant proposals in partnership with the Office of Proposal Development (OPD) and the Grainger College of Engineering (GCOE) Office of Research at Illinois. Part of a series of events designed for ERLA alumni and building on team science topics learned in the ERLA program, attendees had the opportunity to explore the process of assembling a large grant proposal while applying social and communication skills to manage common problems during proposal development.
“This event gave our ERLA alumni an opportunity to apply the skills learned during the program,” Berg said. “We are planning more activities and events to practice other ERLA concepts and hope to host two structured ERLA alumni events each year as we move forward.”
Berg has been with IHSI since 2015 and currently leads the Research Development team, which offers proposal development support for Illinois researchers and faculty development and training programs, including the biennial NIH Grant Writing Series and peer accountability groups. Affiliated with the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP), a professional community that aims to increase the capacity for and impact of research, scholarship, and creative endeavors by promoting excellence in the practice and profession of research development, she appreciates a supportive network of colleagues in her field. Berg is a founding member and former co-chair of the Research Development Community (RDC) that strengthens awareness of campus research resources, promotes activities and events, and supports the productive conduct of research at Illinois. She is also a trained facilitator through the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER), which aims to increase the capacity for research mentor trainings offered at colleges and universities, research institutes, and organizations.
After nearly five years of conceptualizing, Berg led IHSI’s Research Development team in two years of focused planning to organize a leadership development opportunity for mid-career Illinois faculty in partnership with the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Center for Social & Behavioral Science, College of Applied Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Grainger College of Engineering, and Office of Proposal Development. ERLA was established in Fall 2023 to help faculty pursue large multi-PI grants, lead campus research initiatives, enhance their own research programs, and ultimately position Illinois for research excellence.
As the program was launched, partnering units collaborated with IHSI to finalize program plans and select the inaugural cohort. Berg now leads program planning, and the partners will continue to participate in cohort selection. The Beckman Institute supports the program further by allowing the use of their space.
“It is critical for us to consider the needs and perspectives of all members of the Illinois community and one of the best ways to serve is to collaborate!” IHSI Senior Director for Research and Innovation Gill Snyder said. “Partnering with other units has added so much to the overall content, while allowing us to share some of the responsibilities of the ERLA program development.”
Outcomes and Testimonials
Last fall, the ERLA program offered 360 leadership assessments for organizational development through Illinois Human Resources and will offer them again in Fall 2025 to all interested alumni.
Illinois Speech and Hearing Science Prof. Laura Mattie has participated in a number of IHSI programs, including the NIH Grant Writing Series Mentorship Program, ERLA, and the newly-established Affiliate Program.
“Completing IHSI’s ERLA program last year made me truly appreciate Maggie and Gill's ongoing support, knowledge, and helpful connections. They have thoughtfully addressed our requests for more information on topics such as obtaining center grants, providing us with valuable opportunities,” Mattie explained. “This demonstrates their commitment not only to ERLA but also to our individual research goals. Their unofficial motto could be 'how can we help,' as every interaction leaves me confident that I can reach out with any question knowing they will guide me or connect me to the right resources.”
With an emphasis on self-discovery as researchers and leaders, building community, and connecting the cohort with resources at Illinois and beyond to enhance their careers, the ERLA program was a transformative experience for Veterinary Clinical Medicine Prof. Annette McCoy. A member of the inaugural ERLA cohort and 2020 NIH Grant Writing Series Mentorship Program, McCoy appreciated the dedicated blocks of protected time provided by home departments. This allowed participants to focus on self-improvement and professional growth, making it far more valuable than sporadic workshops and key to success of the program.
"I got to make connections with amazing people from across campus, any of whom I would feel comfortable reaching out to if I needed information or advice – and I don’t just mean my cohort. The workshop presenters encouraged us to use them as resources in the future," McCoy explained. “The effort that Maggie and Gill are making to keep our alumni group active through social and educational events is greatly appreciated, and I think it sets this program apart from anything else I have heard about on campus."
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Prof. Simon Rogers has gained more than expected participating in the ERLA program. He appreciates the meticulous organization, logical structure that emphasizes essential tools for success in academia, and leadership skills developed as a result. A member of the 2024 ERLA cohort, Rogers noted that Berg and Snyder have leveraged their experience and expertise to lead the ERLA program and provide participants with opportunities to interact with and learn from experts, collectively accelerating the development of both personal and leadership skills.
“The skills I have learned can be applied in departmental, college, and campus-level service, my own mentoring of graduate students, and building teams to pursue larger grants. It’s been the class I needed but didn’t have the opportunity to take until now,” Rogers explained. “Not only have we learned how to develop teams required to realistically pursue larger-scale grants as discussed during the recent ERLA alumni event, but also how to tackle cultural and structural changes that we see as part of maintaining Illinois’ excellence.”
Building community among ERLA alumni
To maintain engagement and support among ERLA alumni, Berg will join the 2023 and 2024 ERLA participants for an inaugural social gathering later this month at Riggs Beer Company in Urbana, with plans to hold two social events each year.
“One of our goals for ERLA is to build community to keep the alumni engaged as we move forward with the program. A lot of trust has been established among the ERLA alumni and we want to maintain those relationships built during the program as well as provide them with opportunities for peer mentorship,” Berg explained. “Many of them face similar challenges and they are able to problem solve together, allowing them to learn from and support each other.”
“Helping people succeed is always part of our mission at IHSI. We have noticed that the ERLA cohorts are looking for more ways to engage and learn, so we have started to expand ongoing opportunities to come together and share,” Snyder said. “We’re excited to see how the ERLA cohorts work together and lean on those from across their own cohort and beyond.”
Berg and Snyder have enjoyed their experiences working with ERLA participants and appreciate the qualities these emerging research leaders bring to the program.
“I love working with the ERLA alumni and it’s been a mutually beneficial experience. I learn a lot from them in addition to providing them with educational resources,” Berg said. “Essential qualities I have witnessed among ERLA participants are an open mind, curiosity and willingness to learn, desire for self-improvement, ability to give and receive criticism, vision, and the ability to listen. I am amazed at how candid they are with each other and their willingness to discuss difficult topics.”
“Working with ERLA participants is one of my favorite parts of this role. Seeing the researchers who have been selected to participate in ERLA take time out of their busy lives to focus on themselves has been very rewarding,” Snyder said. “Often consumed with running busy labs and managing teaching and service loads, they don’t have time to focus on their own development as leaders. I am privileged to work alongside each ERLA participant on this journey and look forward to seeing how IHSI can continue to elevate and support the work of the ERLA alumni for years to come.”
Continued support from IHSI
As IHSI continues to foster a supportive and collaborative environment, ongoing engagement with ERLA alumni exemplifies a commitment to nurturing future research leaders. With plans for additional events and opportunities, IHSI is dedicated to empowering faculty, enhancing research programs, and driving innovation at Illinois. The future looks bright for ERLA alumni as they continue to grow, connect, and lead in their respective fields.
“Maggie and the IHSI Research Development team are here to support ERLA alumni through the next phase of their research leadership plans,” Snyder explained. “The time spent with the cohort has allowed our team to get to know the researchers and their work on a more personal level, allowing us to offer tailored encouragement and guidance.”
As part of IHSI’s commitment to supporting the ERLA cohort beyond the year of their respective programs, many of the 2024 ERLA cohort have been invited to IHSI’s Affiliate Program. Faculty, researchers, medical professionals, and other individuals are encouraged to formalize their collaboration with IHSI through an unpaid affiliate appointment for increased opportunities to engage with and benefit from IHSI staff, other IHSI affiliates, and program faculty and students, both across campus as well as with external clinical partners and networks. The program is currently open by invitation only to individuals with an existing relationship with IHSI. Illinois researchers involved with IHSI may request an invitation to become an affiliate.
Contact Maggie Berg with questions about the Emerging Research Leaders Academy. Subscribe to the IHSI newsletter to receive updates about this leadership development opportunity for researchers at Illinois, and special announcements about IHSI activities and services, education programs, workshops, partnership opportunities, and more.