{"id":6657,"date":"2023-01-10T13:07:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-10T18:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/?page_id=6657"},"modified":"2026-04-07T13:33:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T17:33:33","slug":"professional-development-opportunities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/professional-development-opportunities\/","title":{"rendered":"Professional Development Opportunities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n
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Featured Opportunities<\/span>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Events and Conferences <\/span>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Internships and Fellowships<\/span>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Other Opportunities <\/span>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Additional Resources<\/span>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Have an event or opportunity you would like to feature here and in our weekly student emails?<\/em> Contact Alex Goodnight<\/a>.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

LAST CALL OPPORTUNITIES<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Graduate Peer Mentor Collaborative<\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

The Graduate Peer Mentoring Collaborative provides one-year fellowships to 30 doctoral students across multiple colleges. Fellows learn skills for peer mentoring, develop networks of support and strengthen their leadership abilities. CALS is recruiting eight graduate peer mentors<\/strong> for the 2026\u20132027 academic year who will receive a $1,000 stipend for that year<\/strong>. They must participate in both virtual and in-person peer mentorship sessions and mentor at least four students per semester in their department or program.

Application Deadline: <\/strong>Friday, April 10, 2026<\/p>\n\t \t \n

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2026 SUMMER Leadership Learning Institute<\/strong><\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

The Graduate School at North Carolina State University provides graduate students and postdoctoral scholars a way to grow and enhance their leadership skills through the \u201cLeadership Learning Institute (LLI)\u201d program. LLI consists of four short courses that focus on self-awareness, communication, influence and purpose. Each short course consists of three, 2-hour sessions (12 sessions total), and are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the 2026 SUMMER semester from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Application Deadline: <\/strong>Friday, April 10, 2026 at 5pm<\/p>\n\t \t \n

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Featured Opportunities <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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SAPLINGS “AI in Ag” Graduate Student Training Award<\/h2>

The SAPLINGS “AI in Ag” Graduate Training Award provides 1 year of support to N.C. PSI-affiliated Ph.D. students<\/strong> (stipend + tuition) engaged in machine learning and AI research to identify new solutions in agriculture. We invite N.C. PSI-affiliated faculty to nominate their doctoral student for this 1-year award. Research should focus on the application of Machine Learning, Data Science and\/or AI to plant science or agricultural use-cases.<\/p>\n

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USDA AFRI Pre-doctoral Fellowship Program<\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

This Predoctoral Fellowships Program helps develop new scientists and professionals to enter research, education, and\/or extension fields within the food and agricultural sciences. The aim of these fellowships is to cultivate future leaders who can solve emerging agricultural challenges of the 21st century. Fellows may receive up to 3 years of support. PhD students who have advanced to candidacy by the application deadline are eligible to apply.

Application Deadline:<\/strong> April 16, 2026 by 5:00pm EST<\/p>\n\t \t \n

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Future Business Sustainability Leaders Program<\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

The\u00a0Future Business Sustainability Leaders Program\u00a0<\/strong>is a premier co-curricular program designed for undergraduate students. This experience starts in the summer and ends during the fall semester. As a participant, you won\u2019t just learn about sustainability\u2014you\u2019ll lead it. You will work with global teams to help real companies achieve B Corp certification while building a professional network that will support you long after the program ends.

Application Deadline:<\/strong> April 24, 2026 by 11:59pm EST<\/p>\n\t \t \n

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Plantae Presents: A Smaller Carbon Footprint in Plant Science<\/strong><\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

This webinar will bring together experts working across plant genetics, soil science, and sustainability to discuss practical strategies for reducing carbon emissions in plant science and agriculture. Topics will include soil- and plant-centered approaches for carbon management, genome editing technologies for developing carbon-efficient crops, and broader sustainability perspectives on responsible energy use and resource consumption.

Webinar Date:<\/strong> April 27, 2026 at 10 am <\/p>\n\t \t \n

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IonE Postdoctoral Fellowship Program<\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

The goal of the University of Minnesota\u2019s Institute on the Environment (IonE) Postdoctoral Fellowship is to support breakthrough research across disciplines, develop the next generation of global leaders, and build transformative partnerships across the state, region and globe. IonE Postdoctoral Fellows are interdisciplinary, community-engaged scholars who thrive both as team leaders and collaborators. This Fellowship lasts 2 years and is open to individuals with or will be completing a PhD in any disciplinary field with an express interest in some aspect of sustainability.

Application Deadline:<\/strong> April 29, 2026 by 5:00pm CT<\/p>\n\t \t \n

Learn more and apply \n \n \n <\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/a>\n\n\n\n \n\n \n

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USDA AFRI Postdoctoral Fellowship Program<\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

This Postdoctoral Fellowships Program provides support to new scientists whose research addresses one of four areas of interest: (1) agricultural production capability; (2) new markets for agriculture and forestry products; (3) value-added innovation; and (4) agricultural science policy leadership. Fellows may receive up to 2 years of support through this program. Early career scientists who have completed their PhD program or will complete it before January 2027 are eligible to apply.

Application Deadline:<\/strong> April 30, 2026 by 5:00pm EST<\/p>\n\t \t \n

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Plant Physiology<\/strong> Centennial Video Competition<\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

In 2026, Plant Physiology<\/em> celebrates 100 years of advancing plant science. To mark this milestone, they invite you to participate in our Centennial Video Competition by submitting a short video (up to 90 seconds) that describe how Plant Physiology<\/em> has impacted your career or scientific journey. Whether you published your first paper in the journal, served as a reviewer, or were inspired by the research and scientists published in the journal, they want to hear your story. Videos will be featured on social media, at the Plant Biology 2026 conference and will be preserved as part of the journal\u2019s 100-year celebration. Best video will win a $500 cash prize!

Submission Deadline: <\/strong>May 1, 2026 by 11:59 pm EST<\/p>\n\t \t \n

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NC State’s 2026 Envisioning Research Competition<\/h2>

Share Research Images, Win Prizes!<\/em>
Envisioning Research is an annual contest to help the NC State research community share the beauty of research. Prizes are awarded annually to university-affiliated applicants, and the winning images are used in a variety of promotional ways across campus to increase visibility. Open to all NC State graduate students, undergraduates, postdocs, faculty and staff, with separate cash prizes for winners and runners-up in four categories based on each contestant\u2019s status at the university. 

Submission Deadline:<\/strong> April 29, 2026<\/p>\n

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Events and Conferences<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Regularly Occurring events<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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Science on Tap!<\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

Science on Tap!\u00a0takes place at\u00a0Lynnwood Brewing Concern<\/strong>\u00a0(1053 E Whitaker Mill Rd) on the second Tuesday of every month from 7:00 \u2013 9:00 pm.\u00a0Grab a beer, meet local scientists, and hear the stories behind their coolest discoveries\u2014no jargon, just great talks and good company.<\/p>\n\t \t \n

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AI Hot Topics at NC State<\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

The AI Hot Topics monthly series, hosted by the Data Science and AI Academy, is a dynamic forum designed to foster dialogue and collaboration on the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. Whether you\u2019re a seasoned AI practitioner, a curious scholar or simply interested in the transformative potential of AI, this series offers a unique opportunity to connect with leading experts and contribute to meaningful discussions. The AI Hot Topics Series takes place monthly at Raleigh Founded<\/strong> on Centennial Campus (1017 Main Campus Dr.) from 8:45 – 9:45 am.<\/p>\n\t \t \n

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Professional Development Workshops<\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

The Graduate School offers an array of career preparedness, communication skills, leadership, teaching, and wellness workshops. These workshops occur virtually, year-round and require registration.<\/p>\n\t \t \n

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Upcoming PSI Events<\/h2>\n All PSI Events<\/a>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Apr<\/span>\n 09<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Thursday\n <\/p>\n

Alternative Protein Symposium: Bridging Science and Society<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n
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\n Apr<\/span>\n 13<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Monday2:00 PM<\/span>\n <\/p>\n

SETAC North America Carolinas Regional Chapter 2026 Annual Meeting<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n
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\n Apr<\/span>\n 14<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Tuesday8:00 AM<\/span>\n <\/p>\n

SETAC North America Carolinas Regional Chapter 2026 Annual Meeting<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Conferences<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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