Empowering the Next Generation of Scientific Leaders

Engagement in scientific societies is vital for early-career researcher's growth and career advancement. However, many face obstacles such as limited financial support and access to conferences and leadership roles within these societies. This is especially true for scientists from historically excluded groups, who often encounters additional barriers to leadership positions and cultural integration, crucial for their career retention and progression.

Furthermore, the selection process for leadership within many societies tends to favor those with extensive experience and established networks, reinforcing the status quo and limiting diversity and inclusivity. The Fellows for the future program is FASEB's response to these challenges.

Fellows for the Future

FASEB Fellows for the Future is a 12-month cohort-based project for early-career researchers from historically excluded groups* who want to become change agents to make scientific societies more inclusive. This new program provides mentorship, leadership training, and sponsored engagement in scientific societies' professional development opportunities.

Learn more about the benefits available to FASEB Fellows for the Future here.

Fellow applications are open through September 30, 2024.  Applicants must be based in the U.S.

Fellows for the Future Mentor

Mentoring is a key factor for success for historically excluded scholars, and effective mentoring of postdocs in STEM has been shown to contribute to performance, success, career advancement, increased leadership and teamwork, self-efficacy, scientific identity, and career commitment.

Each fellow will be matched with a mentor who will champion their participation in society leadership and volunteer activities. 

Applicants must be based in the U.S.

*Historically excluded groups/scholars are those for whom full rights and opportunities have been restricted based on their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and/or socioeconomic status.

FASEB's Fellows for the Future initiative is funded through a two-year grant for nearly $500,000 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to pilot a program to change the current culture within biological societies that negatively affects early-career researchers in historically excluded populations. NSF awarded the grant under its Leading Culture Change Through Professional Societies of Biology (BIO-LEAPS) program, which supports the design, implementation, and evaluation of projects that leverage the work of professional societies to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the biological sciences.