Attached, please find information about the Yale Ciencia Academy (YCA) for Professional Development, an NIH-funded (2R25GM114000) initiative that may be of interest to doctoral students in the life and behavioral sciences who are in the final 1-2 years of their programs and are conducting research in areas funded by the National Institutes of Health. The program supports students who identify as being from an underrepresented background in science, as defined by the NIH.

YCA complements graduate training by equipping PhD, MD/PhD, or PsyD students with the knowledge, skills, and networks they need to find great postdoctoral positions that will further their academic interests and career goals. 

Students can expect the following key benefits:

• Networking with accomplished scientists, leaders, and peers from diverse backgrounds
• Training from leading experts to improve planning, mentoring and communication skills 
• Personalized materials for the PhD to post-PhD transition, including an Individual post-PhD Transition Plan, a well-crafted personal narrative for introductory emails and networking, and a polished 20-minute scientific talk.
• All-expenses paid travel to Yale for in-person meetings in July 2024 and 2025
• Joining our YCA alumni network (>241 peers), with access to sample fellowships and professional opportunity announcements
• Gain recognition as a YCA fellow through press release, the YCA website and social media channels and earn a certificate of completion, commemorative pin, and LinkedIn badge at the end of the program year

YCA collaborates with iBiology and leverages CienciaPR, a large and diverse Latino/Hispanic scientific network.

The application period closes February 29, 2024, and the program runs from July 2024 to June 2025. Application requirements, selection criteria, FAQs, and the application form can be accessed via this link: http://www.cienciapr.org/yca