Leading Edge 

Leading Edge is an initiative to improve the gender diversity of life sciences faculty in the United States by providing women and non-binary postdocs with
1) a platform to present their work,
2) an opportunity to meet and connect with one another,
3) mentorship and career development training from world leaders in biomedical research.

Leading Edge Fellows join a community of postdocs and assistant professors in the biomedical sciences. 
Throughout the year, the Leading Edge community communicates through a dedicated Slack, as well as monthly Zoom meet-ups.

Career development panels occur throughout the year by Zoom (see the Panels page for past programming). 

Fellows also present their work during an annual symposium hosted by HHMI's Janelia Research Campus. All costs are covered for speakers (travel, food, accommodation, childcare). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020, 2021, and 2022 symposia occurred virtually. The first in-person 2023 Leading Edge Symposium occurred at Janelia Research Campus on June 11-14, 2023! Recordings of the Fellow presentations will be made available after the symposium on YouTube. Click the Symposium tab to access the recordings of the 2022 Symposium.

The Leading Edge Fellow program is inclusive to all women, including cis women and trans women, and non-binary people. 

All applicants are invited to include their information in our directory of women and non-binary early-career researchers, the Leading Edge Associate Directory (LEAD). Please click the Directory tab to access LEAD.

The application for the 2025 Leading Edge cohort will open in late fall, 2025.

We thank our supporters and advisers who made Leading Edge a reality