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Science Alliance Leadership Training

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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)

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 five-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 two 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 five 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.

STEM Certification

A plastic replica of a molecule.

STEM Education for the 21st Century

In today’s global information- and technology-driven economy, people must be both STEM literate and equipped with 21st-century skills such as creativity, communication, collaboration and persistence in order to be successful. Because STEM education is more important than ever, countless organizations are developing and promoting STEM content, resources, and instructional programs for the education sector.

However, little objective information exists to help decision-makers identify high-quality materials. The Academy’s STEM Certification Program addresses this challenge by reviewing educational materials against our STEM Education Framework, a set of research-based best practices that foster STEM learning and the development of 21st-century skills. The Framework was developed by The New York Academy of Sciences in conjunction with SRI Education, a division of SRI International and an established leader in STEM education research, and reviewed by an international advisory board of education experts.

The STEM Education Framework establishes a standard for STEM teaching based on the latest science and education research. Materials that meet the rigorous standards of the Framework receive official STEM Certification status from The New York Academy of Sciences.

An Open Educational Resource for Recognizing Quality STEM Materials

The STEM Education Framework is a freely available resource to be used by anyone engaged in STEM education — curriculum developers, content providers, teachers, students, parents, school leaders, policymakers and philanthropists — to ensure that their efforts align to sound pedagogy and best practices. The Framework outlines 26 features of quality STEM education in three fundamental areas:

  • Core Competencies: To what extent are students provided with opportunities to develop essential 21st-century skills?
  • Instructional Design: To what extent do the materials and/or program design reflect research-based pedagogy and a cohesive system of learning objectives, supports, and assessment resources?
  • Implementation: To what extent are necessary supports or services available to facilitate distribution and ensure effective implementation?

Review Process

  1. Submit materials for review. Any curriculum, set of instructional materials, educational program or product intended for formal or informal STEM learning may be submitted for review, including instructional software, online courses, educational games, apps, and professional development resources.
  2. Reviews conducted by independent experts. All reviews are performed by a panel of experts with advanced degrees and deep knowledge related to the subject matter, grade level and intended audience of the materials under review.
  3. Receive actionable feedback. Each review concludes with a detailed report of how the materials align to each element of the STEM Education Framework.
  4. Receive STEM Certification. Materials that align to the framework receive official certification from the New York Academy of Sciences.

Benefits of Certification

  • Recognition that your materials reflect best practices
  • Official New York Academy of Sciences certification seal for use on educational materials and promotional materials
  • Recognition on our website

Contact Us

Submit your educational materials for STEM Certification consideration at education@nyas.org.

Organizations Whose Materials Have Been Certified

Innovation Challenges

The logo for The New York Academy of Sciences.

Overview

For over a decade, the Academy has worked with partners across industry, academia, and government to offer Innovation Challenges, virtual competitions that engage student innovators to apply their curiosity and creativity to solve real-world problems. Using the Academy’s unique online platform, Launchpad, participants collaborate on project-based activities while spanning time zones and cultures. Browse our current Innovation Challenges as well as past Challenges below.

Active Challenges

Previous Challenges with Resources

From the Academy Blog

An inside look at our innovation challenges teams and their impressive accomplishments.

Partner with Us: Professional Learning

The logo for The New York Academy of Sciences.

Our Unique Approach to Career Development

The Academy offers early-career researchers unparalleled opportunities to learn and network across institutions, disciplines and industries. Our ultimate goal is to help them build the skills they will need to secure careers in the near-future as well as to prepare them for emerging roles in the ever-evolving workforce landscape. In addition to providing our own programming including workshops, courses and networking events, we also partner with a variety of non-profit organizations, academic institutions and for-profit companies to develop best-in-class professional development opportunities for more than 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.  

Our Professional Learning programs include:  

  • Skill-Building Workshops include effective grant writing, securing research funding, communicating science, career planning and more. 
  • Online Courses enable researchers to earn career-building credentials in areas such as teaching and clinical research management. 
  • Leadership Training equips undergraduate/graduate students and postdocs with the soft skills they’ll need to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace. 
  • Fellowships attract talented international, interdisciplinary scholars to add to, and expand upon, the existing intellectual assets at the Academy through the exchange of new research and ideas from across the world.  
  • Mentoring allows young scientists to practice their science communication skills through outreach opportunities that connect them, either in-person or online, with STEM-interested students all over the world. 

Ways to Work with Us

There are several ways we partner with external organizations to offer our early career community with high-quality professional development opportunities:

  • Your organization can sponsor one of our established courses or workshops.
  • We can tailor your existing career-related course or workshop specifically for our network of early-career STEM professionals.
  • We can collaborate to develop a new course, workshop or event series that meets the needs of our community and aligns with your business objectives.
  • We can work together to develop a fellowship or awards program.

Impact Report

Download the New York Academy of Sciences STEM Education 10-Year Impact Report, 2024.

GENERATION STEM: Empowering Scientists of the Future

Download the Report

From the Academy Blog

Contact Us

To discuss ideas for partnering on a professional learning program, contact us at education@nyas.org.

IoT Smart Homes Challenge

A woman using her smartphone to control IoT devices in her home.

Overview

In a two-year partnership with the Ericsson-created Center of Excellence (CoE), the Academy invited Omani youth to join the Junior Academy and participate in a series of Internet of Things (IoT) challenges and activities. Students and mentors from Omani industry and academia will participate in Challenges around the topic of ‘Internet of Things’ which will offer you opportunities to innovate and learn with peers and mentors around the globe.

Challenge

Design a smart home that integrates technology which collects, processes, and stores environmental and health information. The smart home you design should be sustainable and provide suitable feedback mechanisms for such information to promote sustainable energy use but also the physical and mental health of those living in the home. The design can include new innovations and/or alterations of existing technology.

In essence, the central challenge question you need to answer is:

How can a smart home create a healthier and more sustainable home environment?

Winners

The winning team, Smart Shelter, focused on using data—in particular, the interconnected web of computing devices and digital machines known as the Internet of Things (IoT)—to monitor energy, water and air quality/air usage and improve the efficiency of service provision in the shelters automatically. They also highlighted the use of data to enhance security, register new residents, and to keep track of unsheltered people at risk in order to direct them to shelters with available space.

Team members: Al-Zahraa A. (Team Lead) (Oman), Tahra A. (Oman), Miaad A. (Oman), Taher A. (Oman)

Mentor: Venkatesan Subramaniyan (India)

Read More

Sponsor

ericsson logo vertical

This program is made possible by a two-year partnership between the Academy and Ericsson-created Center of Excellence for Advanced Telecommunications and IoT. Throughout the program, Omani youth will build critically important 21st century skills, hone their entrepreneurial and innovation mindsets, and build their digital knowledge and leadership potential.

Urban Gardening – Get Growing!

A small plant sprouting.

Overview

Clifford Chance has partnered with The New York Academy of Sciences to launch innovation challenges in Kigali, Rwanda. The goal of this three-year program is to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education opportunities and enhance STEM workforce development in Kigali. We’re pleased to launch our latest Open Innovation Challenge and we seek innovative ideas for how to grow food in our own homes.

Students ages 13-17 in Kigali, Rwanda are invited to compete in an 10-week innovation challenge this Spring. During the challenge, students can form teams with peers and have access to research guidance from mentors via the Academy’s own virtual collaboration platform, Launchpad. The students then work together to develop an innovative, research-driven solution to address the challenge.

Challenge

Kigali, Rwanda has been hailed by the United Nations as a “model sustainable city” and is considered one of the most food-secure cities in Africa. Nonetheless, drought and competing needs for land-use continue to threaten food security. In the face of climate change and a growing urban population, students who take on this challenge will be tasked with considering how urban gardening can be a part of the solution. The need for low-cost or no-cost innovations will be critical.

Design an innovative approach to implement urban gardening in your home, school or neighborhood that increases access to nutritious food sources for your family and/or community.

Sponsor

The program is made possible through the support of Clifford Chance as a part of its Cornerstone initiative. Cornerstone is Clifford Chance’s flagship global pro bono and community investment initiative in Rwanda. The initiative is made up of a series of projects that are designed to help these communities overcome the barriers inhibiting improvements in well-being.

The Sciences

Featuring articles, news, and commentary on scientific developments of social and cultural interest, The Sciences magazine was a unique forum for examining issues in all areas of science—”a continuing feast for the mind and the eye.” Winner of seven National Magazine Awards, The Sciences was published from 1961 to 2001.

All 41 volumes of The Sciences are now available online. Access through the Wiley Online Library is free for Academy Members and subscribing libraries, and available on a pay-per-view basis for others.

Academy Members must first log in to access digital archives of The Sciences and other Academy publications.

View All Issues
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The New York Academy of Sciences Digital Archive

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Request Access to the Digital Archive

The archive of The New York Academy of Sciences (spanning 210 years, from 1803 to 2013) encapsulates the history and development of natural science, technology, modern biomedical sciences, and educational engagement across the life span, while also documenting anti-intellectual sentiments — irrespective of national borders — toward science and scientists, providing a rich activist history of the pursuit of fact-based reasoning as well as equality and freedom from oppression.

If you are interested in accessing The New York Academy of Sciences Digital Archive, please email annals@nyas.org. Access to the Archive is limited to research purposes; any inquiry must be accompanied by a proposal for research.

Transactions

Transactions of the New York Academy of Sciences is a historical publication of The New York Academy of Sciences. Published as two series (Series 1, volumes 1–16, 1881–1897; and Series 2, volumes 1–41, 1938–1983), Transactions presents the scholarly and scientific proceedings of the Academy’s scientific Sections (e.g. anthropology, biology, physics and chemistry, oceanography and meteorology, mathematics and engineering, and geology and mineralogy) and of other scientific events and proceedings at the New York Academy of Sciences.

A sister journal to Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Transactions provides a window on Academy scientific proceedings that cannot be found in Annals, and thus is a rich history of science in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Browse Transactions
A cover shot of the publication Transactions of The New York Academy of Sciences.

Cybersecurity

An abstract graphic representing cybersecurity.

Overview

The digital landscape is rapidly transforming as information, processes, and devices are increasingly connected in complex networks. Nearly everything is connected via the internet: homes, businesses, medical systems, monetary systems, infrastructure, and governments, just to name a few. At the same time, individual users of technology open themselves up to risks on a regular basis simply by using smartphones, tablets and laptops. These mobile computing devices are vulnerable to multiple types of cyber threats such as phishing, malicious apps, and ransomware. Relaxed security settings and the use of public Wi-Fi networks add on additional layers of risk. 

Thanks to our hyper-connectedness, these individual security breaches can have far-reaching consequences. With access to a singular password or social media account, cyber criminals have the potential to steal information and identities, crash networks, and even hold entire governments digitally hostage. Innovative cybersecurity solutions that address the vulnerabilities of mobile computing devices and their human users have the potential to make individuals, organizations, and the entire digital landscape more resilient and secure.

Winners

The winning team, Cybersafe, focused on developing software that enables Artificial Intelligence (AI) to interact with and enhance testing systems on smartphones, tablets, and laptops. In addition to this technological solution, the team members advocated for policy changes to better protect the public from cyberhackers.

Team members: Jessica K. (Team Lead) (United States), Ritwik D. (United States), Neha B. (United States), Bhavya D. (United States), Farah M. (Jordan)

Read More

Sponsor

NEOM is an accelerator of human progress and a vision of what a new future might look like. It is a region in northwest Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea being built from the ground up as a destination and a home for dreamers who want to be part of building a new model for exceptional livability, creating thriving businesses and reinventing environmental conservation.

NEOM will include hyperconnected, cognitive cities, ports and enterprise zones, research centers, sports and entertainment venues and tourist destinations. As a hub for innovation, entrepreneurs, business leaders and companies will come to research, incubate, and commercialize new technologies and enterprises in groundbreaking ways. Residents of NEOM will embody an international ethos and embrace a culture of exploration, risk-taking and diversity. Some of the most recent cities and destination launched by NEOM include:

  • THE LINE – A linear, cognitive city without cars that redefines urban living
  • Oxagon – An advanced manufacturing and innovation city with a floating platform
  • Trojena – A sustainable year-round mountain tourism destination
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