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Underrepresented Groups Leadership Program

Underrepresented Groups Leadership Program

The Underrepresented Groups Leadership Program provides Members-in-Training and junior faculty from underrepresented backgrounds with access to mentorship and resources that will foster their leadership development within the field. 

This is a one-year learning experience where participants meet monthly with their assigned mentors for individualized support during the program year. The curriculum includes highly interactive activities such as live monthly video chats facilitated by guest speakers, including well-known leaders in the field, plus supplemental web-based written discussions. Topics cover themes crucial to advancing as a leader, such as:

  • Understanding underrepresentation: Available resources and challenges in individual countries
  • Securing independent research funding: Strategies and best practices
  • Presenter skills for effective communication
  • Science communications and advocacy
  • Leadership qualities: Becoming a successful leader

2025 Program timeline 

  • Applications open Aug. 1
  • Applications close Sept. 30
  • Program cohort: Mar. 2026 - Mar. 2027

Questions can be directed to: mentorship@arvo.org.

Participant eligibility

  • ARVO Members-in-Training and junior faculty who have completed at least four years of post-doctoral fellowship or are within the first three years of your primary academic appointment.
  • Current ARVO members for at least one year at time of application, who will maintain active membership throughout the program.
  • Individuals who are eager and able to commit to active participation in the program via one or more frequent interactions with your assigned mentor per month and monthly webinar sessions with the program class.
  • Applicants will self-identify how you are underrepresented.
  • ARVO members at mid- to senior-level in their career who want to help develop trainee and early-career members by:
    • providing explicit and implicit lessons related to (non-scientific) career advice, general work-life balance
    • providing guidance for actively engaging in ARVO
    • committing to monthly (or more frequent) interactions with their assigned mentee
  • Current ARVO members for at least five years at time of application who will maintain active membership throughout the program.
  • Mentors who complete the 12-month program and follow-up survey receive one ARVO Fellows point.