Apply to the AGU LANDInG Academy
The AGU LANDInG Academy is a two-year, cohort-based professional development program for current and aspiring DEI leaders in the Earth and space sciences. Academy Fellows will gain expertise in the fundamentals of DEI and lead a DEI project at their own institution with hands-on support from the AGU LANDInG community.
Applications for the 2023-2025 Academy cohort are now open! Apply by 31 March 2023.
Why Join the AGU LANDInG Academy?
- Good DEI leadership begins with a strong foundation in knowledge and awareness. Fellows will engage deeply with evidence-based resources to build expertise in the fundamentals of DEI. The curriculum has been designed and will be delivered by national experts from across DEI, leadership development and STEM.
- Effecting change takes a village. Fellows will attend regular meetings, including quarterly in-person summits and monthly virtual meetings, where they will build lasting relationships within a supportive community of peers and mentors who are passionate about DEI.
- DEI leadership is more than practicing DEI in a leadership role. Fellows will go beyond traditional leadership practices to develop crucial DEI skills, including how to respond to DEI resistance, how to recognize and remove barriers to change and how to build engagement that supports impactful and sustainable change.
- Dialogue is at the heart of DEI success. Fellows will learn how to amplify their impact by communicating the benefits of DEI with their peers, mentors, institutions and the general public.
- Leading DEI change requires action. Fellows will utilize their new knowledge and skills to implement a personalized DEI project at their own institution, with support from the AGU LANDInG community.

Eligibility Criteria
Selection for the 2023-2025 cohort of the AGU LANDInG Academy will focus on mid-career professionals, with more than seven years of experience post-terminal-degree, who are positioned to effect change at U.S. academic, academic-adjacent and research institutions, including research-focused federal agencies.
Advancing from DEI advocacy to DEI leadership requires a dedicated effort from Academy Fellows. Successful applicants should be prepared to participate fully in all program activities, including:
- Attending, preparing for, and participating actively at in-person quarterly summits* at AGU Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco (December 2023), Washington, D.C. (December 2024) and New Orleans (December 2025)
- Attending, preparing for, and participating actively in virtual monthly meetings to bridge theory with evidence-based practice and build a community of support.
- Developing and implementing a leadership project focused on broadening participation in STEM at the applicant’s home institution, including engaging significantly in project development beyond the formal Academy programming/meetings.
- Engaging with other Academy Fellows throughout the program to share knowledge, support and lessons learned
- Studying required readings and other resources to learn best practices and develop critical skills to advance DEI values within and beyond their organizations.
*Expenses related to in-person quarterly summits, including travel, lodging and meeting registration, will be covered by AGU LANDInG.
Individuals who have any questions, including those who are uncertain of their eligibility, are encouraged to contact [email protected]
Application Process
Applications are now open for the 2023-2025 AGU LANDInG Academy Cohort. Interested candidates are required to submit their curriculum vitae, one letter of support and their responses to three essay questions. Apply by 31 March 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET!
All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of members of the AGU LANDInG Steering Committee and Advisory Board. Finalists will be notified in May 2023.
Finalists will be invited to a 25-minute interview with co-Principal Investigators of the AGU LANDInG program. Prior to the interview, finalists will be asked to submit written responses to pre-interview questions and a second letter of support documenting their institution’s commitment to support the applicant’s active participation in the Academy, including their broadening participation leadership project. More information about letters of support can be found here.
Schedule of Required Meetings for 2023-2025 Academy Fellows
2023
September
13-15
In-Person Launch Summit
AGU Headquarters in Washington, D.C. USA
October
20
Virtual Monthly Cohort Meeting
November
17
Virtual Monthly Cohort Meeting
December
10-12
(Final Dates TBD)
In-Person Quarterly Summit
2023 AGU Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA USA
2024
February
16
Virtual Monthly Cohort Meeting
March
15
Virtual Monthly Cohort Meeting
April
18-19
In-Person Quarterly Summit
AGU Headquarters in Washington, D.C. USA
19
Virtual Monthly Cohort Meeting
May
17
Virtual Monthly Cohort Meeting
June
21
Virtual Monthly Cohort Meeting
July
19
Virtual Monthly Cohort Meeting
September
11-13
(Final Dates TBD)
In-person Quarterly Summit
AGU Headquarters in Washington, D.C. USA
18-20
(Final Dates TBD)
In-Person Quarterly Summits
AGU Headquarters in Washington, D.C. USA
October
18
Virtual Monthly Cohort Meeting
Project progress check-in with cohort colleagues
November
15
Virtual Monthly Cohort Meeting
Project progress check-in with cohort colleagues
December
11-12
In-Person Quarterly Summits
2024 AGU Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. USA
2025
February
21
Virtual Monthly Cohort Meeting
April
18
Virtual Monthly Cohort Meeting
May
16
Virtual Monthly Cohort Meeting
June
20
Virtual Monthly Cohort Meeting
July
18
Virtual Monthly Cohort Meeting
December
7-8
In-Person LANDInG Academy Completion Celebration
2025 AGU Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA USA