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Research Leadership Academy: Insights & Exchanges (2026-27)

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The Centre for Research & Innovation Support (CRIS) launches the second cohort of the limited enrolment Research Leadership Academy: Insights & Exchanges (ReLAIE) to support and strengthen research excellence at the University of Toronto. Drawing on the university’s thriving and internationally renowned community of research leaders, this program offers tenure stream, mid-career (at least one year post tenure) faculty opportunities to gain vital insights and mentorship from established research leaders and their peers. This program is designed to support and strengthen research excellence at U of T by springboarding participants’ research and innovation leadership through mentorship, coaching, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities beyond their home departments. The program offers opportunities to build skills to tackle complex challenges, explore large-scale team and governance structures, and encourage transformational research practices

This cohort-based program equips faculty to purposefully advance their strategic leadership and capabilities to:

  • Assemble and lead research networks, institutes or consortiums that coordinate objectives among numerous research groups to achieve a shared vision;
  • Address grand challenges with multidisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and multi-themed programs of research;
  • Expand local, national and international partnerships with a wider breadth of research partners from academia, industry, not-for-profit, government and public sectors, and/or communities;
  • Lead and support thriving research teams, using authentic leadership principles and fostering an inclusive research culture; and
  • Assess and evaluate a broad set of outcomes and impacts of research programs.
Program Goals:
  1. Deepen understanding of the current and evolving requirements of a successful research and innovation leader within the context of a challenge-driven and complex global landscape.
  2. Expand and cultivate a network of academic peers, mentors, and sponsors. ​
  3. Articulate personal research leadership priorities and values and practice key leadership skills​.
  4. Engage deeply with interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary approaches to solving complex research questions.
  5. Evaluate utility of various governance and shared decision-making models in research teams.​
  6. Foster empathetic leadership competencies to navigate social, ethical, and professional challenges with integrity and insight​.
  7. Recognize and leverage operational strategies and tools for effective management of complex research portfolios.​
  8. Apply practical strategies and tools to plan for and communicate research impact across varied audiences.
Program Structure:

The emphasis of the Research Leadership Academy: Insights & Exchanges is on creating supportive, propulsive, and mutually sustaining networks within and beyond the program’s cohort. Learning and mentoring will take place at the personal, research group, institutional, and inter-sectoral levels to drive new ideas and transformative research practices in line with the University’s strategic research priorities and commitments.

The program has three main components (see below):

  1. Seven half-day sessions combining panel discussions and practical workshops. Individual session schedules, activities, and pre-work expectations will be circulated well in advance.
  2. Four small online group mentoring sessions with an experienced U of T research leader (Feb 2025, Apr 2025, Oct 2025, & Feb 2026).
  3. Two, one-on-one coaching sessions with a Program Ambassador (May 2026 & Apr 2027).
Session Dates and Times:

Seven, in-person ½ day sessions will be held at the CRIS Collaborative Space in the Gerstein Science Information Centre, St. George Campus. For planning purposes, please note the program spans Spring/Fall semesters and one summer.

Program At-A-Glance:

Winter 2026:

  • Session 1 – Program Launch: Learning into Leading Major Research Programs
    Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 8:45-1:00
  • Session 2 – Interdisciplinary/Transdisciplinary Research
    Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 8:45-1:00
  • Session 3 – International Research and Global Consortia
    Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 8:45-1:00

Fall 2026:

  • Session 4 – Dilemma Cafe – Navigating Challenges as a Leader
    Thursday, October 1, 2026, 8:45-1:00
  • Session 5 – Thriving Research Teams
    Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 8:45-1:00

Winter 2027:

  • Session 6 – Portfolio Project Management, Sustainability and Project Closure
    Wednesday, January 27, 2027, 8:45-1:00
  • Session 7 – Research Impact
    Thursday, March 4, 2027, 8:45-1:00
  • Celebration of Program Completion – with Program Alumni from 2025
    April 2027 (date TBD)
Access Statement:

At CRIS we understand access to be a shared responsibility. The program includes seven in-person, half-day sessions. These sessions will be held in the Gerstein Science Information Centre, which has single stall washrooms. During the sessions, speakers will use microphones, there will be a quiet space available, and wellness breaks are scheduled. If you are accepted into the cohort and require additional accommodations (physical, sensory, learning related) please email elizabeth.parke@utoronto.ca directly and we will work with you to make appropriate arrangements.

Application Materials:

All application materials are to be submitted via REDCap  by October 15, 2025, at 5:00pm EST, and must include:

  1. A Completed Application Form.
  2. A Leadership and Mentorship Experience Statement (max 250 words) From your CV, please list what you consider to be your top three-five examples of past successful research leadership (e.g., major research grant funding, awards, leadership positions, supervisory or mentorship roles). Please describe how these experiences have shaped your leadership skills and approach.
  3. A Statement of Interest in the Program (max 250 words). Please address: What draws you to this program, and what do you hope to achieve by participating in it? Describe your suitability for the program. How do you expect this program will contribute to your career aims? Specify how you will apply what you are learning in the program.
  4. A Short CV (max 5 pages).
Adjudication Criteria, Process, and Notification Timeline:

Cohort applicants will be selected based on the strength of their application materials, eligibility (career stage, appointment), significant and sustained success with external funding and granting agencies, and future leadership promise.

The selection committee aims to create a cohort that represents a range of research interests and a diversity of participants. The Research Leadership Academy: Insights & Exchanges will accept a maximum of 24 participants from the 17 university academic divisions.

Results will be communicated via email to all who complete the application by early December 2025. Endorsement from Chair/Unit Head will be required at time of acceptance.

Acknowledgement of Participation:

All participants who complete the ReLAIE program will receive a letter of recognition from the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, a copy of which can be placed in their personnel file.

To learn more about the program, visit the Research Leadership Academy: Insights & Exchanges (2024-25) inaugural cohort webpage.

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Three 2024-25 Research Leadership Academy: Insights & Exchanges participants sitting around a table with paper and notepads.
Date/Time:

January 2026 – April 2027

Key Benefits:
  • Learn from mentors in group and in 1:1 settings
  • Grow research leadership skills for mid to large research teams
  • Build academic research leadership communities
  • Self-reflection on leadership attribute and skills
Who should apply?
  • Full-time, tenure stream faculty who have achieved tenure at least one year ago
  • Faculty can self-nominate

We strongly encourage applicants who hold external grant funding, whose research programs include future partnerships across multiple institutions (e.g., national/international), and / or with a diverse set of partners, to apply.

Program Ambassadors

  • Leah Cowen, Vice-President, Research and Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives

  • Timothy Chan, Associate Vice-President and Vice-Provost, Strategic Initiatives

  • Barbara Fallon, Associate-Vice President, Research

  • Vince Tropepe, Associate Vice-President, Research Oversight and Compliance

Facilitators
  • Vinita Haroun, Director, CRIS
  • Elizabeth Parke, Faculty Programming Development Officer, CRIS

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