The Parents Leading Science™ (PLS) program is a 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 Moms Group only. 

  • If you are interested in applying for the Researcher Dads Group, please fill out this Interest List: Parents Leading Science 2027 RFA. 

• 1-year formal programming, with two meetings a month, followed by an annual retreat. Hybrid participation offered, but in-person attendance is strongly encouraged.

• 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.

Application Timeline

• May 6 Request for Applications released

• July 27 Application deadline (applications due by 11:59 p.m.)

• July 28 - Aug 24 Application review

• Sept 4-9 Final candidate interviews

• Sept 10 Program acceptance notification