Are you an emerging talent seeking opportunities for growth?
Explore the Internet2 Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program
Applications/Nominations for the I2EL Scholarship to attend TechEX26 this October open mid-June. Watch for the announcement.
The Internet2 Emerging Leaders (I2EL) Program supports and elevates early-career professionals who are building momentum in their careers and poised to shape the future of the research and education (R&E) technology community.
The R&E community is rich with developing talent, but the path forward isn’t always clear. I2EL meets the needs of the community directly, providing visible and meaningful professional development career growth opportunities, centering the program around attendance at Internet2’s two anchor events: Global Summit (previously known as Community Exchange) and Technology Exchange.
Through these experiences, participants will:
- Join an intentionally small cohort of peers, creating an immediate sense of belonging and a built-in support network
- Engage with community thought leaders in small, focused sessions
- Build meaningful connections with peers at similar career stages
- Deepen individual and cohort involvement in the broader R&E community
For more information on sponsoring I2EL, contact us.
Contact Us
I2EL is intentionally invested in cultivating and supporting the next wave of leaders – those who are actively developing their expertise and expanding their impact. By investing in this critical segment of the community, the program aims to strengthen career pathways, foster long-term engagement, and ensure the continued vitality of the R&E ecosystem. Ultimately, I2EL helps grow and retain the emerging talent that will lead our community into the future. By supporting the people who power progress, we strengthen the community and ensure it remains a thriving hub for innovation, collaboration, and leadership.
Scholarship Eligibility
The I2EL Scholarship is designed to reflect the breadth and variety of the Internet2 community and invites applications from individuals representing a wide range of professional backgrounds and experiences. It is particularly focused on supporting the next generation of leaders – professionals who are early in their leadership journey and actively building their careers and contributions within the R&E technology community.
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- Are early-career professionals; see below for definition.
- Demonstrate leadership potential, via self-assessment or nomination by a manager/supervisor.
- Are attending their first Internet2 Global Summit (previously known as Community Exchange) or Technology Exchange.
- Candidates must live and work within the United States, and be affiliated with an organization that is an active part of the Internet2 non-profit community, including higher education institutions, research and education networks or organizations, or a Federal Agency (including laboratories) that would be eligible for an Internet2 membership.
- Play a key role in advancing research or enterprise infrastructure, particularly in central IT, distributed IT, academic research IT, or research operations.
- Have institutional or organizational endorsement to apply and participate at the event, in the form of a letter of support from a senior administrator (CIO, Dean, Executive, Senior Manager/Director) from your institution/organization.
- May demonstrate financial need (not required, but considered).
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- Individuals in the first few years of their profession; this includes recent graduates and Ph.D. graduate students in relevant fields, those returning to the workforce (e.g. after caregiving), or professionals transitioning into new roles within the R&E community.
- Are not the senior most IT or research leader (e.g., CIO, CTO, VP for Research).
Scholarship Benefits
The I2EL Scholarship opens doors for emerging IT professionals who are building momentum in their careers by supporting their attendance at Internet2’s anchor events of Global Summit and Technology Exchange.
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- Travel support and registration for an Internet2 annual conference (aligned with Internet2 travel policies).
- Formal recognition via a certificate of participation awarded at a ceremony during the conference.
- Cohort based learning, creating an immediate support network and sense of belonging, providing structured networking, and eliminating the uncertainty that can come with attending a large professional conference alone.
- A Zoom pre-conference orientation with fellow recipients and Internet2 staff.
- Facilitated networking, including hosted meals with experienced community members who offer career guidance and event insights.
- Dedicated time at the beginning and the end of the event to allow participants to interact with one another, as well as Internet2 staff.
- Touch-base check-in session(s) during the event, to provide additional leadership content and ensure participants are having successful event engagement.
- Opportunities for connections to national and international leaders across the R&E IT ecosystem.
- Opportunities to meet peers and participants from related initiatives (such as the Network Startup Resource Center (NSRC), Workforce in Networking at SC (WINS), and the Minority Serving – Cyberinfrastructure Consortium (MS-CC)).
- Access to a wide variety of conference sessions tailored for both emerging and experienced professionals.
- A gateway to future engagement, including potential roles in Internet2 working groups, participation in future I2EL activities (as a mentor or alumni), and potential involvement in leadership opportunities like the Internet2 Community Leadership and Culture (I2CLC) Steering Committee.
Meet the CommEX26 I2EL Scholarship Recipients
Learn More
“Attending TechEX has significantly enriched my knowledge and positively
influenced my career trajectory. I now feel a stronger connection to the Internet2 community, and the
information and technology specialists in the academic sphere.”
Zhaneille Green, E-Access Librarian at Duke University
Still have questions about the
Internet2 Emerging Leaders Scholarship?
Contact:
Taleitha is the Community Relationships Program Manager for Internet2. She has over 18 years of experience working in and with government entities. She also has experience in higher education and the private sector. Taleitha is passionate about engagement, partnership, collaboration, and programming that supports the development and growth of individuals and organizations she serves.
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