The Parents Leading Science™ (PLS) program is an integrative leadership development experience designed for research-intensive faculty in the health sciences who are raising school-age and/or young children, including those who are lifelong caregivers to children with disabilities. This program supports participants in navigating the complex intersections of professional ambition, personal identity, and family life. PLS fosters both professional and personal growth by cultivating a community of peers committed to authentic leadership, mutual support, and whole-person development. Through structured reflection, peer mentoring, and leadership training, participants are invited to explore and integrate the multiple dimensions of their identity—scientist, parent, partner, community member, and individual. 

Highlights

• Seeking all eligible University of Minnesota health sciences research-intensive faculty who are parents of school-age and/or younger child(ren) and those who are lifelong caregivers to children with disabilities.

  • Faculty with appointments at Gillette Children’s, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute and the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health System are also eligible to apply.

• PLS offers two parallel groups within each cohort to reflect the diverse experiences of parenting in academia—the Researcher Moms Group centers on traditionally motherhood-associated experiences, and the Researcher Dads Group centers on traditionally fatherhood-associated ones. This RFA is for the Researcher Dads Group only. 

  • If you are interested in applying for the Researcher Moms Group, please refer to the Parents Leading Science 2027 Researcher Moms Group RFA. 

• 1-year formal programming, with one meeting a month, followed by an annual retreat. Hybrid participation offered, but in-person attendance is strongly encouraged. See the Program Overview page for more details on the program schedule.

• This program invites a deep dive into vulnerability and a commitment to honest self-reflection. To get the most out of this experience, we recommend that you are currently in a season of relative stability, rather than navigating major life upheavals.

• Up to 12 participants selected.

• See the PLS 2027 RFA Frequently Asked Questions for details.

Application Timeline

• Aug 11 Request for Applications released

• Sept 9 Application deadline (applications due by 11:59 p.m.)

• Sept 14 - Sept 18 Application review

• Sept 22 - Sept 25 Interviews with select candidates

• Sept 30 Program acceptance notification