Program Enrichment

A unique professional advancement opportunity for postdocs and early-career scientists

The Fellows Program aims to give early-career scientists the support and skills they need to successfully pursue leadership and decision-making roles in academic, industry and government research sectors. This one-year program is designed around key programmatic elements to enhance confidence, leadership skills, networking opportunities, and visibility of fellows within the biological and biomedical research community. Fellows will learn from career-development workshops and hands-on immersion experience, working directly with eminent scientists from our Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to pursue their career goals.

• Immersion in three SAB meetings, where Fellows will engage with academic, industry and government thought-leaders from around the world in a unique and inspiring forum to review, discuss and curate scientific programing for our internationally acclaimed conference series. These lively and intensive peer-review sessions focus on the forefronts of biology and medicine, and the collegial atmosphere forges consensus on seminal advances in the field.
• Leadership training modules will be held the day prior to SAB meetings to prepare Fellows for their participation in this forum, and to develop career skills unique to these critical stages of career development.
• Mentoring modules tailored to life science researchers at these critical stages of career development.
• One-on-one mentorship pairing with a distinguished SAB member, tailored to the career trajectory and professional growth goals of the Fellow.
• Ongoing peer-to-peer mentorship as part of the Keystone Symposia Fellows Community, a distinguished group of scientists and advisors representing a strong, supportive and inclusive life science network.
• Travel award support to attend a future Keystone Symposia conference

EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS:

Prospective Fellows must have a Ph.D, M.D. or M.D. Ph.D degree and be engaged in an independent research position in either academia, industry or government institutions in an area within the biological or biomedical sciences. Candidates who meet all criteria below are eligible to apply:

• Applicants must be at the assistant professor level (pre-tenure and less than 6 years in academic appointment), or research scientist level (less than 6 years in an industry scientist position) or a research scientist (less than 6 years in a government scientist position).

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS:

Prospective Fellows must have a Ph.D,  M.D. or M.D. Ph.D. degree and be engaged in a research position in either academia, industry or government institutions in an area within the biological or biomedical sciences. Candidates who meet all criteria below are eligible to apply:

• Applicants must have completed between 1 and 4 years of a postdoctoral position.

ALL APPLICANTS:

• Applicants must be either U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• Preference will be given to applicants with a demonstrated commitment to mentorship and career development of trainees.

If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact our Enrichment Programs team at DLSP@keystonesymposia.org.

2024 Fellows Program Report

View the Fellows Directory

The Fellows Program requires a commitment of participation in the following:

• Onsite participation in Colorado at the Keystone Symposia Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) meetings held January 23-24, 2026, and January 22-23, 2027. Keystone Symposia will cover lodging; we offer a subsidy to defray costs for airfare, ground transportation, and per diem for the dates and location of the SAB meetings.
• Virtual participation in the Keystone Symposia SAB meeting, tentatively scheduled for June 24-26, 2026.
• Virtual participation in at least 7 of 10 "Fellows Friday" career development sessions during your Program experience. Attendance at the virtual SAB orientation and the in-person pre-SAB session is required.
• Commitment to regular communication with Keystone Symposia staff, and paired cohort mentors.
• Commitment to participate in long-term surveys regarding career advancement, as well as engaged membership in the Fellows Community Network.