2025-2026 Inclusive Leadership Program

Why to Apply  |  Eligibility  |  Application  |  FAQs 

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The application deadlines is 1 May 2025 and selections are anticipated in June.

The Inclusive Leadership Program (ILP) aims to bring together a diverse cohort of coastal and estuarine professionals in a dynamic learning community where all members participate in expert-led training while also learning from each other. ILP provides mid and late career professionals with the knowledge, skills, and mentorship needed to be more inclusive leaders and affect culture change now. Simultaneously, early career professionals receive training and mentoring to close the confidence gap that forms on the path to leadership and develop skills needed to become change agents as they grow into leadership roles.

This program is for current professionals (i.e., no longer a student) in coastal and marine science or management who are interested in becoming skilled inclusive leaders and agents of culture change at their institutions.

The 12-month program provides full financial support and a $300 annual stipend to attend three in-person events, with regular virtual workshops, coaching sessions, and group discussions in between in-person events.

The three in-person events are:

• Two-day kick-off retreat, Shannon Point Marine Lab, Anacortes, Washington, September 2025 (tentative)
• CERF 2025 conference, Richmond, Virginia, 9-13 November 2025
• Two-day close-out retreat, Bowdoin College Schiller Coastal Studies Center, Orr’s Island, Maine, September 2026 (tentative)

In addition, there will be a pre-program virtual orientation, monthly group virtual workshops and discussions in between in-person events to continue education and development (approximately once a month), one-on-one virtual coaching sessions with experts (three to four over the course of the year), and a check-in several months after the close-out retreat to evaluate progress and outcomes. 

Program elements include:

• Expert-led training on topics including:
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility (DEIJA) foundational knowledge
• Communicating across difference and difficulty
• Organizational change management
• Assessments and personal coaching sessions with experts in relevant topics
• Facilitated DEIJA and leadership conversations to allow you to learn from experts and your fellow ILP participants
• A “leadership in action” project
• A 3-year personal and professional development plan

A critical element of the program is the diverse cohort of participants with varying positions, institutional affiliations, career stages, and social identities. The program will facilitate a dynamic community where all participants can share and learn from each other. 

Why should I apply?

The Inclusive Leadership Program provides thoughtful professional development to help current and future leaders in coastal and marine science and management gain key insights into their leadership style, new skills to help in a future leadership position, tools and strategies to manage conflict and become a DEIJA change agent, an inclusive vocabulary for impactful communication and management, and a personal commitment plan to make real change at your institution and beyond.

ILP provides full financial support for attending three in-person events, a diverse and dynamic community of participants, expert-led training, and a growing network of support to uplift you throughout your career. 

What past participants say:

“The things that were particularly helpful for me personally were the academic coaching and taking the assessment for [leadership] and getting feedback from people I know.”

“Honestly, the cohort [provided immediate value]. A lot of the cohort building. I feel like any one of them I could call or email or text or WhatsApp and they'd respond positively, sharing their own experiences.”

“My organization is interested in learning more about what I've learned about being a more inclusive leader, and they want to do a leadership training, or expand their leadership training so there's potential there.”

Am I eligible?

You should apply if:

• You are currently in a professional position (i.e., no longer a student) in coastal and marine science or management at any career level
• You care about shaping the culture of coastal and marine sciences and management to be more safe, welcoming, and inclusive
• You want to be an agent of positive change in coastal sciences and management
• You want to grow your DEIJA knowledge base as well as share your DEIJA experiences
• You are open to learning from colleagues from diverse backgrounds
• You want to hone your leadership skills, expand your skills, or share your expertise with emerging leaders

You do not need to be a CERF member to apply!

What is in the application and how will participants be selected?

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Applications are due 1 May 2025.

The application consists of general information about you, your current position and activities within that role, demographic information (optional), and three short answer questions (limit of 1,500 characters including spaces and punctuation, or about 250 words per question):

1. What benefits do you hope to get from the program?
2. What knowledge, expertise, or insights from your lived experience or professional career do you think can contribute to a dynamic learning community of leaders from different disciplines, career stages, and backgrounds?
3. Career stage specific questions
1. Early Career: What culture change would you like to see if you were in charge of your organization/institution/agency?
2. Mid and Late Career: How does your current position/career stage/experience put you in a position to create culture change and what roadblocks, professional or personal, could prevent this change from happening?

Applicants may use AI-generated content (e.g., ChatGPT) to assist with responses to these questions, but we expect your responses to be in your own words and voice.

Applicants will be reviewed against a standard rubric with the following questions:

1. How well does the applicant articulate the personal and professional benefits of participating in the ILP, demonstrate a need or willingness to learn and improve through a dynamic cohort, and provide a clear plan or intentions to implement the skills and knowledge developed through the program?
2. How well does the applicant demonstrate a good understanding of the dynamic learning environment and clearly articulate how they will contribute to the learning and growth of the cohort?
3. Career stage questions
1. How well does the applicant describe the culture change they would like to see?
2. How well does the applicant address how their position puts them in a position to create culture change?

We anticipate 10 leaders to be accepted to the 2025 – 2026 cohort, contingent on available funding. Applications will be reviewed by external reviewers and final selections will be made by the program leaders. Demographic information will not be shared with reviewers; it will only be used to help the program leaders create a balanced cohort across career stages and other dimensions of diversity (e.g., disciplinary interests, social identity). This will allow for a diverse cohort that can best provide an enriching experience for all.

ILP FAQs

Q: I am not a professional in coastal and marine science, can I still apply?
A: If your profession is ocean-adjacent, you qualify for the program.

Q: What is the time commitment for the ILP virtual activities?
A: We will have a 1-hour meeting approximately once a month, alternating between training workshops and facilitated discussions. You will also schedule one-on-one coaching sessions with our trainers; there will be three to four individual coaching sessions over the course of the program, each lasting 60-90 minutes.

Q: Outside of the virtual and in-person activities, how many hours will I be expected to dedicate to the program every month?
A: We anticipate you will spend two to three hours each month working on your “leadership in action“ projects and three-year development plans.

Q: Why is the stipend offered and what can it be used for?

A: We offer an annual stipend in recognition that participants may incur unexpected costs to participating in ILP, such as taking unpaid time off of work to attend in-person events or  paying for childcare while attending in-person events. Participants are free to use the funds as they feel is most appropriate and helpful to them.

Q: What costs are covered by the program?
A: The program will cover travel costs for in-person events including airfare/mileage, baggage, ground transportation, lodging, and food plus the annual $300 stipend.