What is the Early Career Leadership Academy?

The American Meteorological Society’s (AMS) Early Career Leadership Academy (ECLA) aims to build and sustain a diverse network of early career leaders in weather, water, and climate science. Each year, ECLA brings together a group of early career individuals for an immersion experience in developing leadership skills, such as creative problem-solving, conflict resolution, building trust, and enhancing communication skills. We seek early career individuals from a wide range of professions, interests, perspectives, cultures, and experiences. Women and underrepresented minorities are especially encouraged to apply.

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Who is Eligible to Apply?

AMS defines early career scientists as follows:

Early career is nominally taken to include professionals who are within 10 years of having earned their highest graduate degree or within 15 years of having earned their baccalaureate, whichever is greater. Consideration will also be given, however, to those who are still in the early stage of their careers but have seen a career break for up to 5–10 years because of family leaves, military service, and the like.

Each year, the AMS selects a small group of early career professionals to participate in the Academy. All eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Qualify as “early career” as defined by the AMS,
• Work in the weather, water, or climate science enterprise, including education and policy.
• You do not need to be an AMS member to apply.

What Should the Participants Expect?

ECLA is an invigorating professional development experience built around emerging trends in weather, water, and climate enterprise that will shape the future of the field. Topics that will be covered include workplace issues, crisis management, building trust, conflict resolution, communication, key societal trends, and creating psychological safety for your team. Participants will take leadership assessments to identify their unique strengths and construct their own personal leadership style.

Participants will develop new analytical lenses, systems thinking skills, and skills to deal with differences and diversity when making decisions that affect weather, water, and climate.

After graduation, participants will

• benefit from expanded knowledge,
• enjoy a high-quality network of peers and mentors, and
• clarify how they and their organizations will drive change.

ECLA 2025 Schedule

The Early Career Leadership Academy has an Orientation Webinar, four online Leadership Webinars, three days in-person, and peer mentoring calls. Accepted participants are required to attend all online webinars, peer mentoring calls, and the in-person meeting. Before applying please confirm that you are able to attend all sessions.

The 2025 Early Career Leadership Academy will take place July 29 to July 31 in Boston, Massachusetts at AMS Headquarters.

Monday, January 13, 2025	ECLA Application Opens
Monday, January 27, 2025 11:59pm Pacific Time	ECLA Application Deadline
Sunday, February 16, 2025	2025 ECLA Class Chosen
Wednesday, March 5, 2025	2025 ECLA Acceptance
Wednesday, April 16, 2025	Orientation Webinar (60 Minutes)
Wednesday, May 7, 2025	Leadership Webinar #1 (90 minutes)
Wednesday, May 28, 2025	Leadership Webinar #2 (90 minutes)
Wednesday, June 11, 2025	Leadership Webinar #3 (90 minutes)
Wednesday, June 25, 2025	Leadership Webinar #4 (2 hours)
Tuesday, July 29 to Thursday, July 31, 2025	In-Person Meeting (Boston, MA)
Peer Mentoring Calls	Scheduled by Peer Mentoring Groups throughout program

All webinars will take place virtually on Zoom and start at 2:00pm ET. The orientation webinar is 60 minutes, the first three leadership webinars are 90 minutes, and the fourth leadership webinar is 2 hours. Monthly peer mentoring calls will take place in small groups in March, April, May, and June. The days and times of the peer mentoring calls are coordinated to meet the needs of each peer mentoring group.

ECLA 2025 Participant Costs

We realize that early career professionals may have limited support for professional development, so the AMS strives to limit the costs of the program.

• There is a registration fee of $175. 
• Participants are responsible for funding their travel to the in-person sessions. We encourage participants to ask your manager/organization about resources that can support the costs of ECLA. If you’ve never asked for professional development funds, this article from the Wharton School of Business has tips on how to ask for support.
• AMS has a limited number of partial travel scholarships and registration fee waiver for participants with the greatest financial need. We ask about financial need on the ECLA Application.
• For participants who are faculty at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) or Emerging Research Institutions (ERIs), AMS offers a Faculty Travel Grant through funding from the National Science Foundation. If you are accepted to participate in ECLA 2025 and are faculty at an MSI or ERI, please apply for the Faculty Travel Grant here. Questions about the Faculty Travel Grant Program should be directed to Stephanie Armstrong, AMS Associate Executive Director at [email protected].

Logistics & Travel to Boston for 2025

• ECLA 2025 will be held at the AMS Headquarters at 45 Beacon St. in Boston.
• AMS will reserve a block of hotel rooms close to the AMS Headquarters. We will share hotel booking information once applicants have been accepted to the program.
• We will be providing lunch on the first and second day of the in-person meeting as well as coffee and snacks during the morning and afternoon. All other meals are the responsibility of participants.
• Questions about logistics and travel should be directed to Katy Putsavage, AMS Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at [email protected]

If you have any questions about the Early Career Leadership Academy, please contact Erica Grow Cei (Professional Affairs Commissioner), Alex Morrison (Planning Committee Chair), Travis Washington (Outgoing Chair), or Liz Baugher (Incoming Chair).