The ISARIC Leadership Programme for Scientists (ILPS) will launch its second cohort in August 2026, welcoming a new group of mid‑career researchers from Low‑ and Middle‑Income Countries (LMICs) who are ready to take the next step as independent research leaders.
Designed as a transformative professional development experience, the ILPS equips mid-career researchers with the leadership, strategic thinking, and collaboration skills needed to accelerate their careers and drive meaningful change within their institutions, communities, and scientific disciplines.
The next cohort will bring together a diverse group of researchers from ISARIC member networks across South and South-East Asia, Africa, and North and South America, creating a valuable environment for cross-regional learning, collaboration, and leadership development.
ISARIC’s commitment to equity and inclusion is central to the programme. By prioritising opportunities for researchers in LMICs – where access to leadership training and academic advancement may be limited – the ILPS aims to help rebalance long‑standing global inequities in research.
Blending online learning with an in‑person training course at La Sabana University Colombia, participants will benefit from case studies, practical skill‑building, peer learning, and direct opportunities for international collaboration and networking.
The programme reflects ISARIC’s commitment to advancing equitable global health research by strengthening the leadership of investigators in LMICs and expanding opportunities for researchers to lead internationally collaborative studies. The inaugural call was designed to support mid-career women researchers in LMICs as they transitioned into their first Principal Investigator roles. Subsequent cohorts will build on this foundation by supporting a broader group of emerging research leaders.
Dr Sumalatha Arunachala, a critical care physician affiliated with the Indian Registry of Intensive Care, described the impact of the programme:
“The way we were treated – with genuine respect and recognition of what we had each achieved – had a profound effect on me. As a woman from an LMIC, it made me realise that I belong among the top scientists in the world, and that I have the potential to get there.
“The course gave me the tools – in communication and leadership – to back up what I already sensed about my own approach. It confirmed that I was on the right track, and gave that an international seal of approval. For the first time, I felt I truly belonged in that space.”
Dr. Arishay Hussaini, a medical doctor and clinical researcher specialising in critical care and public health, and part of the team from the ISARIC Karachi Hub, shared similar reflections:
“The course felt like a very good fit and helped validate the direction I wanted to take as a leader and scientist. It strengthened my belief that leadership is not about authority but about enabling others, creating opportunities, and building supportive environments where people can thrive. I hope to apply these principles by investing more in mentoring, fostering collaboration, and helping to build research capacity within my institution and beyond.
“The mentorship programme has been absolutely brilliant and, for me, one of the most valuable aspects of the experience. It creates opportunities for continued growth beyond the course itself. I am extremely grateful to the ILPS team for making this possible.”
The next ILPS cohort will run from August 2026 to March 2027.
