Learn More: Leadership Development Program
ISAC Leadership Development Program
Applications to the ISAC Leadership Development Programs are submitted to one of three Application Tracks. ISAC offers three Application Tracks to help you position yourself to take a leading role in the fastest-growing global cytometry society in the world. The following table can be used to evaluate which Application Track you will select upon applying. Application deadline is October 1, 2026 at 11:59pm ET.
For information about who is currently in the LDP, please go to the Current LDP page.
About the Leadership Development Program (LDP)
All ISAC Leadership Development Programs are for individuals committed to engagement in the Society and likely to make substantial contributions to the cytometry community.
Anyone may apply to any of the three leadership Application Tracks.
- Applicants will only be evaluated by one Application Track.
- Strong applications will note close alignment with the common and track-specific eligibility criteria and expectations below.
- Applications will include two Letters of Reference. At least one Letter of Reference must be from a current voting member of ISAC.
- Applications will fill out a web form that will collect information on your past and current involvement with cytometry and with ISAC meetings and committees (including working groups and task forces). You will also describe your vision for how the LDP will help you contribute to cytometry and develop as an ISAC leader. Membership in ISAC is not a requirement to apply to the Leadership Development Program. Especially for the Scholar and SRL EL tracks, strong applications will note evidence of participation in ISAC.
- Applications will also include a checkbox affirmation from the Applicant that they are allowed to participate in the Leadership Development Program should they be selected.
Shared Eligibility Criteria
- All ISAC leadership development programs are for individuals committed to ongoing engagement in the Society and who are likely to make substantial contributions to the cytometry community.
- Anyone may apply to any of the Application Tracks, regardless of the track eligibility criteria above. In the case that an applicant does not match the eligibility criteria, they should note this and emphasize how their application is a fit.
Shared Benifits
- Complimentary Platinum membership in the Society for four years after starting, which includes benefits like complimentary registration for CYTO and virtual meetings.
- Partial travel stipend for CYTO conferences for four years after starting.
- Formally acknowledged at the CYTO conference upon entry into program.
- Ongoing opportunities to develop your professional and scientific networks and become a leader of the Society. This will include special programming for specific to members of the Leadership Development Program.
- Develop collaborations and relationships with other leaders in the field.
Shared Expectations
- Develop into a leader in the field of cytometry by engaging in ISAC throughout your career.
- Engage in ISAC Committee work and devote at least 1 hour per week / 4 hours per month (not including ISAC meetings) to ISAC activities for four years after starting.
- Attend quarterly web-based meetings with others in the program, including meetings with all three Application Tracks, to share progress, needs, and ideas.
- Travel to and engage in ISAC CYTO meetings and assist meeting organizers with leadership roles (e.g., Co-Chair a session with an experienced ISAC member, assist meeting organizers, judge posters).
- Attend and engage in ISAC Leadership Development Program events for at least 4 years after starting.
- Complete an Annual Report or other updates about related activities requested by the ISAC Leadership Development Committee.
- Improve awareness of ISAC and engage in communities beyond ISAC (e.g., attend regional cytometry meetings, ISAC Associated Society meetings, and ISAC Affiliated Society meetings).
- Remain an active and voting member of ISAC throughout your career.
- Acknowledge program in all publications for at least nine years after starting (see below).
Shared Resource Lab (SRL) Emerging Leaders
Leadership of shared resource labs (SRLs) & cytometry services
Consider applying to this track if…
>50% of your work time is spent in a shared resource or core lab now and will be during the award
Track Eligibility Criteria
Designed as a program for SRL staff with less than eight years of experience in a position in which they have held significant responsibility for the supervision or management of an SRL.
Candidates specializing in SRL management with demonstrated abilities in education and training, a commitment to the implementation and development of best practices, and a vision for the future direction of SRL membership within the Society and cytometry community.
Track Benifits
- Mentoring opportunities from SRL leaders.
- Foster networks with other ELs and other SRL leaders
Track Expectations
- Acknowledge as “ISAC SRL Emerging Leader Program”
- Attend quarterly web-based meetings with the LDC Engagement SRL EL subgroup to share progress, needs, and ideas.
Preview SRL Emerging Leader Application
Marylou Ingram Scholars
Scholarly peer-reviewed publications & academic leadership
Consider applying to this track if…
You published a first-author paper in the last 2 years and >40% of your work time is spent on research you expect to publish as peer-reviewed manuscripts
Track Eligibility Criteria
Leaders or prospective leaders in the field of cytometry whose role is primarily in research and teaching, or other scholarly activity.
Candidates specializing in state-of-the-art biomedicine, technology, and other areas of emerging sciences relevant to cytometry. Designed as a 4-year leadership development program for individuals who have received their relevant doctoral degree within eight years of the date of application.
Track Benifits
- Generate opportunities for your future group members.
- Foster networks with other Scholars and LDP members
Track Expectations
- Acknowledge as “ISAC Marylou Ingram Scholar Program”
- Attend quarterly web-based meetings with the LDC Engagement Scholar subgroup to share progress, needs, and ideas.
- Submit at least one paper as a first or last (senior) author in Cytometry Part A during their tenure.
Preview Scholar Application
International Innovators
Invention and commercialization of cytometry technology
Consider applying to this track if…
>50% of your work time is spent creating or developing a technology that could have an important impact on the field of cytometry
Track Eligibility Criteria
Early-career innovators working to bring new cytometry technologies to the scientific community. We welcome applicants from academia, industry, start-ups, government, non-profits, and clinical settings. Supported innovation activities include inventing new technologies, applying existing technologies in new ways, developing new means of commercializing and deploying tools, and translating novel techniques into clinical practice.
Applicants with backgrounds in engineering, chemistry, physics, life sciences, biomedical technology, and computer science are especially encouraged to apply. The program is designed for individuals who have demonstrated innovation impact early in their careers and who are poised to become future leaders within the cytometry community. Applicants should generally be within 8 years of their highest earned degree or equivalent professional training. However, career stage will be evaluated holistically. We recognize that career paths vary and welcome applicants who are still in the developmental phase of their leadership journey, regardless of age or career interruptions. The program is intended for developing leaders rather than individuals already serving in established senior leadership roles.
Track Benifits
- Increase your network to enhance commercialization or awareness of your innovations.
- Learn about trending technologies and have opportunities to introduce your latest technologies or resources
Track Expectations
- Acknowledge “ISAC International Innovators Program”
- Attend quarterly web-based meetings with the LDC Engagement Innovators subgroup to share progress, needs, and develop approaches to share breakthroughs with the wider ISAC community.
- Participate in CYTO Innovation (CI) committee activities, including the CYTO Innovation session and Technology Showcase at CYTO conferences.
- Annual report will be required outlining each participant’s innovation activities and ISAC involvement.
Preview Innovator Application
Applications are Open!
Apply by October 1, 2026