Inclusive and Reflexive Facilitation Fellowship (IRFF), a free program for career development professionals who support scientists. IRFF will provide facilitators and trainers (or facili-trainers, as we call them) with tools and training to hone their facilitation skills, cultivate reflexivity and inclusion as core elements of their practice, opportunities for mentoring and to connect with a community of practice.  

Over the course of the six-month program, fellows will participate in 9 online training sessions, with one in-person meeting (travel and lodging costs are covered by the Fellowship), to become part of a supportive peer community of facili-trainers, and prepare and iterate an interactive workshop on a professional development topic for scientists. The program has been designed with busy professionals in mind. However, to make the most of the program, fellows will be expected to complete pre-work and assignments, and attend sessions and rehearsals. 

The application period closes July 8, 2025. The program runs from September 2025 to February 2026.

Fellows can expect the following key benefits:

• Access to a community of practice with accomplished facilitators, leaders, and peers from diverse backgrounds

• Training from leading experts to improve facilitation and communication skills 

• Dedicated time to workshop a session and improve their facilitation skills

• Resources for inclusive and reflexive facilitation, including culturally responsive and human-centered learning using psychological, anthropological, and improvisational theater frameworks

• Professional development stipend ($2,000) to use for any conference or help their own facilitation training

• Gain recognition as a IRF fellow

• A two day, covered by the IRFF, in-person training (Oct 15 - Oct 17) to build community in St. Louis, Missouri

Additional information about the program, eligibility guidelines, information on the instructor team, and the application can be found at: www.cienciapr.org/irff.