Overview

To be the most vibrant Society that we can be, it is imperative that we attract talented and creative individuals from diverse backgrounds. Diversifying membership is part of the effort to build a thriving scientific enterprise and to create a more equitable and inclusive Society. This program is designed to increase diversity in the GSA membership by offering Presidential Membership packages to early career scientists.

The package includes:

• • Free membership for 2023 (in the appropriate career category)
  • Abstract fee waiver for one GSA conference (single waiver good for 3 years)
  • Recognition in Genes to Genomes

Presidential Members will receive all benefits of GSA membership (including a subscription to GENETICS, discounts on publishing in GENETICS and G3, discounts on conference registration, attendance at GSA-sponsored workshops, and more). Additionally, they’ll benefit from access to networking resources within GSA and the opportunity to participate in the Early Career Leadership Program and the GENETICS Peer Review Training Program.

Application Information

The short application focuses on the applicant’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as how the membership will enhance their career. Open-ended answers—listed below—are restricted to 750 characters including spaces (~100 words), so we recommend composing your answers in a word processing program before entering them into Survey Monkey.

1. What are your career goals? How will a GSA membership enrich your career journey?
2. Describe one major change you think is needed to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in the scientific enterprise. How do you plan to use your career to help make this change?

The GSA’s Equity and Inclusion Committee will review the applications. Successful applicants will have career goals that align with GSA’s mission.

Applicants are encouraged to provide thoughtful, substantive answers to the open-ended questions. The committee is looking for statements that demonstrate the consideration applicants have given to their career paths, as well as their dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Applicants are encouraged to use the full space given for answers to illustrate the unique assets they will bring to the GSA.

There is no single “right” way to answer; however, successful answers express an individual point of view and demonstrate careful attention to the subject at hand.

Eligibility

Early career scientists who are not current members of the Genetics Society of America are eligible to apply, as this initiative is primarily designed to bring in new members.

For this award, early career scientist is defined as a graduate student, postdoc, early-stage investigator (pre-tenure faculty), or early-stage staff scientist or industry researcher (≤5 years in a position). Undergraduate students may apply, although they are not eligible for the Early Career Leadership Program or the GENETICS Peer Review Training Program. International applicants are welcome to apply.

Important Dates

• • October 7, 2022 — applications open
  • November 14, 2022 — first awards announced
  • December 16, 2022 — deadline to apply
  • December 23, 2022 — final awards announced