Future Leaders in Endocrinology (FLARE)

The Future Leaders Advancing Research in Endocrinology (FLARE) program is for basic science, clinical research trainees, and junior faculty from underrepresented minority communities who have demonstrated achievement in endocrine research. FLARE program components provide structured leadership development and in-depth, hands-on training in topics ranging from grantsmanship to lab management. This program is sponsored by a grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

The FLARE Program Components

Workshop: All selected participants attend this two-day workshop that teaches the “business of research” and the skills needed to establish themselves as independent researchers. Participants can choose to continue down the Internship Path or the Mentorship Path.

Internship Path: Participants can serve on an Endocrine Society committee or participate in the Keystone Symposia Fellows Program

Mentorship Path: Participants connect to accomplished biomedical and clinical scientists as mentors and visit their mentor in-person.

ENDO Travel Award: Open to current program participants and in-training FLARE alumni, the travel award helps offset the cost of traveling to the Endocrine Society annual meeting to continue professional development and mentoring connections.

About the Workshop

During the FLARE Program workshop, speakers share professional wisdom and provide guidance. Participants get a chance to network and hone skills such as:

• Individual career development
• Finding funding for research
• How to market yourself to employers
• Managing your lab and time
• Dealing with interpersonal conflict
• Negotiating for your needs

After the workshop, participants continue their career development through either the Internship Path or the Mentorship Path. 

Eligibility and Application

Eligible FLARE Program applicants are:

• Preference is given to members of the Endocrine Society but not required to attend the workshop. To move forward in other components of the program, membership is required. Join Now.
• Currently enrolled in a US graduate program, post-doctoral fellowship, an endocrine clinical fellowship, or junior faculty (within 1-3 years of obtaining faculty position).
• Of an ethnic minority group underrepresented in the biomedical sciences (African American, Hispanic American, American Indian or Native American, Alaska Native, and Natives of the US Pacific Islands)
• US citizen or US permanent resident

Mentorship Path applicants are encouraged to begin searching for a mentor before the application period begins. Please see the Eligibility & Application page for a full list of requirements.

Program Timeline

• August 2020: Application Cycle Open
• November 2020: Award Notification Sent
• February 2021 : FLARE Workshop
• March 2021 ENDO—Endocrine Society Internships begin
• July 2021: Mentor visits
• October/November 2021: Most Endocrine Society Committees hold fall meetings

For More Information

To learn more about the FLARE Program, contact us at 202.971.3657 or email [email protected].