The AGU LANDInG Academy is a two-year, cohort-based program that provides formal professional development and hands-on support to help Fellows develop and implement DEI solutions within and beyond their own institutions.

Fellows will engage deeply with evidence-based resources to build expertise in the fundamentals of DEI and DEI leadership through a curriculum that is designed and delivered by national experts in DEI, professional development and STEM. Fellows also receive mentorship and support in leading a DEI initiative at their own institution. In doing so, Fellows will gain national speaking and publication opportunities.

Applications are now open for the 2023-2025 AGU LANDInG Academy Cohort. Interested candidates must submit their curriculum vitae, one letter of support and 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 comprised 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 their active participation in the program, including a broadening participation leadership project.

More information about letters of support can be found here.

Successful applicants should be prepared to participate fully in all activities throughout the two-year program. In the first year, Fellows will learn the theories and best practices of DEI leadership. In the second year, Fellows will implement their own DEI initiative, attend monthly meetings, participate in peer mentoring, and share their project outcomes at the Academy’s capstone event.

While there are virtual components to the Academy’s curriculum, travel is required for in-person quarterly summits, including attending AGU Fall Meeting. All travel expenses, including transportation, lodging and meeting registration, will be compensated according to federal and AGU travel guidelines.

There is no cost to participate. The AGU LANDInG Academy is currently funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Based on current program funding, cohorts are limited to 12-15 participants. In the future, we hope to expand the reach of AGU LANDInG Academy by increasing the number of participants.

No, AGU membership is not required to participate in the Academy or the Community of Practice CoP.

The 2023-2025 Academy Cohort will be limited to U.S. Citizens and green card holders. We hope to expand future cohorts to include participation from outside the U.S., as well as scientific and STEM disciplines outside of the Earth and space sciences.

Yes, non-geoscientists are eligible to apply to the AGU LANDInG Academy. However, applicants to the 2023-2025 Academy cohort should be prepared to articulate how their work will affect change in the Earth and space sciences or advance DEI in the greater scientific community.

Yes, participants from Tribal Colleges or Two-Year Colleges are fully eligible to apply and participate in the AGU LANDInG Academy.

Download instructions for letters of support here.

Successful applicants will ultimately be required to submit two letters of support: 1) an initial letter confirming their institution is aware of their application and 2) a second letter, which will be requested in the final round, documenting the institution’s commitment to support the applicant’s participation in the program. Both letters should be written by the same person: either the applicant’s current supervisor or a higher authority at the applicant’s institution who can attest to both the applicant and the institution’s commitment.

For the initial application, the letter writer should simply use the following template: “If [insert applicant’s full name and title] is selected for the AGU LANDInG Academy, [insert name of department, college, agency or institution] will collaborate and/or commit resources as necessary and detailed in the applicant’s broadening participation project proposed for year two of the Academy.”

Candidates who are selected for the final round of interviews will be asked to submit a second, more detailed letter of support. That letter is intended to ensure institutional support for the applicant’s participation in the program, including attendance at quarterly in-person summits and monthly meetings, and the applicant’s proposed broadening participation leadership project.

A successful applicant’s institution should understand the importance, benefits and scope of participation in the Academy. Fellows will spend about 50 hours of instructional contact over two years and additional effort should be expected to prepare for meetings, travel and project implementation.

Because applicants may not fully understand their institution’s DEI needs at the time of application, and therefore cannot anticipate the full scope of the project they may develop, we do not expect the second letter to include a fully scoped plan for change. Instead, the letter should reflect 1) that the applicant has engaged in a conversation with their institution’s leadership about program expectations, and 2) that the institution is generally committed to supporting the applicant’s participation. Clarity and understanding of the institution’s commitment at the start will ensure success down the road.

Questions that applicants should discuss with their letter writer include:

• Consider your own interests in effecting change to inform and shape your request for resources. For example, are you most interested in changes that support student or faculty success, institutional policy or practice changes, etc.?
• Consider the types of support most likely to be of value to you in participating in the Academy including time to attend and prepare for meetings, complete assignments, participate in activities and develop and implement a project, etc.
  • What kinds of support would be necessary and valuable to advance your plan for change?
  • How can your institution best support you in your DEI leadership development and efforts?
    • For example: Would your institution consider offering an adjustment in effort (e.g., teaching, service or scholarship reduction) to afford your time to participate in Academy meetings and activities, and to develop and implement a broadening participation leadership project?
    • What fiscal resources might your institution be willing to provide in support of implementing a future project?
    • What other resources might your institution commit to support you in proposing and implementing a project (e.g., space, event planning, administrative support)?
    • How will your institution recognize the value of your participation? For example, will your participation count toward meeting expectations for future promotion or leadership opportunities?
    • Will your institution support you in requesting data needed to inform identifying areas of need for enhancing DEI success on your campus?
    • Will your institution allow and support your communication and collaboration with other stakeholders within and beyond your institution?

Visit https://connect.agu.org/landingcop/home to join the AGU LANDInG Community of Practice.

No, AGU membership is not required to participate in either the Community of Practice or the Academy.

CoP channels are pre-selected discussion topics for sharing and learning information on a specific subject. It allows you to more readily find information needed without a broad search.

AGU LANDInG Community of Practice Ambassadors are individuals with DEI knowledge who proactively promote and spearhead discussion on the CoP.

Participants in CoP channels should assume that all conversations are available for viewing or discovery by others in the CoP.

The Community of Practice is open to anyone interested in learning more about DEI or advancing evidence-based DEI practices. The CoP offers a library of web-based curated resources and the opportunity to engage with a network of professions that are interested in DEI.

Meanwhile, Academy Fellows are selected through a competitive application process. Apply by 31 March 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET.