Are you a PhD student in the New York City metropolitan area who wants to pursue a career in STEM? Science Alliance Leadership Training (SALT) is for you! This free, one-of-a-kind, 5-day program provides exceptional graduate students with the opportunity to connect with a powerful network and build the skills you need to effectively advocate for yourself throughout your career.
SALT trains you for both personal and institutional success. Through team-building exercises and workshops, SALT Fellows learn leadership skills, communication skills, conflict resolution, and team dynamics. The SALT program’s goal is to create a cadre of diverse, entrepreneurial leaders in STEM, while providing a unique networking opportunity across disciplines and institutions.
What to Expect from SALT
Gain the tools you need to succeed
Workshops in leadership, conflict management and communication— all the skills you need to take ownership of your career.
Continuous follow-up and education
The learning doesn’t stop when SALT ends. We provide continuous education through webinars, Q&A sessions and supplemental materials.
A tight-knit community of SALT alumni
You’ll go through SALT with a small cohort of driven students like yourself, enabling you to build connections and open up networking opportunities across multiple institutions and fields. And you’ll become part of the wider network of SALT alumni who have participated in the program since its inception in 2016.
Eligibility & Application Requirements
Applicants must be:
- PhD students in the 2nd year of their PhD or beyond.
- Enrolled at an institution located in the New York City metropolitan area.
- Members of The New York Academy of Sciences at the time of the application. If you are not already a member, please join here prior to submitting your application.
Application Requirements:
Statement of purpose (max. 500 words)
- What does Leadership mean to you?
- What do you expect to learn at SALT?
- Please describe your professional vision and how you plan to get there.
Leadership essay (max. 400 words)
- Describe opportunities in your current position as a graduate student where you have demonstrated leadership.
- Describe a scenario where you were not effective as a leader and describe lesson(s) learned from it.
Candidate biography (max. 150 words)
- Brief bio that includes education, interests and professional goals.
Consent form
- Must be signed by your PI (Consent form will become available when future programs are announced.)
Resume (max. 2 pages)
Letter of recommendation (1)
- Ask the person who is endorsing you to send the letter of recommendation directly to sciencealliance@nyas.org
Frequently Asked Questions
SALT Application
What is in the application and in the consent form?
Once the application is available, it will be found here.
Does the recommendation letter have to be written by my Principal Investigator?
No, the recommendation letter can be written by any professional that can attest to what makes you a great candidate for this unique leadership training opportunity.
Can I submit more than one recommendation letter?
Yes, you may submit more than one recommendation letter. However, only the first letter received will be included in the application materials for the reviewers.
Does the consent form need to be signed my PI?
Yes, SALT requires a 5-day commitment from each participant. The PI’s signature on the consent form guarantees that the student has the consent of their supervisor to participate in this unique opportunity without affecting his/her research requirements.
If my PI won’t sign the consent form, will my application still be considered?
No, all the requirements must be met by the application deadline. This includes your PI’s signature on the consent form.
Is there is a fee to apply or attend SALT?
No, there is no fee to apply or participate in SALT. However, you must be a Member in good standing of the New York Academy of Sciences at the time of your application.
When will I be notified about my application status?
We expect to notify all applicants of their status from within a few weeks of the deadline.
Who will review my application?
Each completed application will be reviewed by 2 professionals with doctoral degrees in STEM fields who are currently pursuing a variety of science careers, including science policy, academia, non-profit, industry, and consulting.
SALT Eligibility
Is a PhD degree required to apply?
No, this year’s SALT is designed for graduate students pursuing PhD degrees in STEM fields who are in the 2nd year of their degree program, or beyond.
Are first year or early second year graduate students eligible to apply?
No, SALT is designed for current graduate students who have completed their first year, and at least one semester of their second year, or beyond.
Are undergraduates, master’s students or postdocs eligible to apply?
No, SALT is designed for current graduate students pursuing PhD degrees in STEM fields who are in their second year or beyond.
Do I need to be a US citizen to apply for SALT?
No, you don’t need to be a citizen. SALT will accept applications from both US citizen students and non-citizen students.
If I am pursuing my degree at an institution outside the New York City metropolitan area, can I still apply?
No, this edition of SALT is restricted to students studying at institutions in the New York metropolitan area. However we may offer additional SALT editions later in the year that will be open to a broader set of participants. To stay in the loop, ensure that you subscribe to our newsletters via the link at the bottom of this webpage!
I was part of a previous SALT program. Am I eligible to apply?
No, previous SALT participants are not eligible to participate as SALT students for a second time.
SALT Program Requirements
If selected, am I required to attend every day?
Absolutely yes. You are making a commitment to the New York Academy of Sciences to be present during the 5-days of SALT. Details on a daily schedule will be announced when a new SALT Program is finalized.
Are meals provided during SALT?
Yes, SALT participants will get a light breakfast, lunch, and snacks every day.
Does The New York Academy of Sciences cover my commuting fees?
Yes, the New York Academy of Sciences will cover commuting fees or transportation costs within the New York City metropolitan area associated with participating in SALT. Participant will be reimbursed “incidentals & meals” for a minimum approved rate upon submission of receipts.
Will The New York Academy of Sciences cover my travel and lodging expenses?
No, the New York Academy of Sciences will not cover travel and lodging expenses for SALT participants except as indicated in the previous question.
Contact Us
To learn more about SALT, contact us at education@nyas.org