# HMS/HSDM Leadership Development Course for Physicians and Scientists ## expand\_more **Applications open Wednesday, September 9, 2026.** This course runs annually; applications are accepted each September. Check back to apply. A three-day course for HMS/HSDM Instructors and Assistant Professors who hold leadership responsibilities in academic medicine. The curriculum builds practical skills in negotiation, finance, self-assessment, communications, and personal career development. --- #### At a glance Sort**Who it's for** HMS/HSDM Instructors 2+ years at rank, and Assistant Professors holding a leadership role (research grant, laboratory, educational course, or clinical program). Preference is given to full-time academic appointments. Women and faculty underrepresented in medicine are especially encouraged to apply. **Course dates** Wednesday, April 14 – Friday, April 16, 2027, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM each day. **All three days are in person.** **Location** Waterhouse Room, Gordon Hall, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA 02115 **Tuition** $750, plus a $10 CME processing fee. **No payment is due with your application.** **Class size** Limited to 80 faculty per cohort. The course is competitive; a short waitlist is maintained. **CME credit** Up to 18.75 *AMA PRA Category 1 Credits*™. --- #### Important dates Sort**Applications open** Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 10:00 AM EST **Applications close** Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 5:00 PM EST **Statement of support due** Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 5:00 PM EST *(submitted by your Chair/Chief)* **Notification** December 2026 --- #### Before you apply — read this first SortThree things trip up most applicants. Handle them before you start: - **The form cannot be saved.** Write and save all of your answers in a separate document first, then paste them in. You will lose your work if you try to complete it in one sitting without a backup. Use the [application question template](#) to prepare your responses in advance. - **Your CV must be in Harvard Faculty of Medicine format.** Upload it as a single PDF named `lastname, firstname_CV` (e.g., `smith, john_CV`). CVs that do not follow the [Faculty of Medicine guidelines](https://fa.hms.harvard.edu/faculty-medicine-cv-guidelines) cannot be accepted. - **Line up your Chair or Chief now.** When you submit, a request for a statement of support is emailed to them automatically, with a link to complete it online. **The statement must be submitted through that link — mailed or emailed letters are not accepted.** They have a separate, later deadline (above), so give them advance notice — an incomplete application cannot be reviewed. --- #### How to apply 1. **Confirm you're eligible** using the “Who it's for” criteria above. 2. **Prepare your materials:** draft your application answers in a document, and ready your Harvard-format CV as a single PDF. 3. **Submit the online application** by Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 5:00 PM EST. *The application is not yet open. It will appear here on September 9, 2026.* 4. **Your Chair/Chief submits the statement of support** by Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 5:00 PM EST. (The request is sent to them automatically when you submit.) 5. **Watch for notification** in December 2026. --- #### Attendance commitment Selected participants are expected to attend all sessions on all three days, on time, from start to finish. Sessions are highly interactive, and some breakout groups have only two or three people, so late arrivals and early departures disrupt the group. Arrange departmental coverage for clinical, teaching, and other obligations in advance, and reschedule one-off meetings. If you anticipate conflicts during these dates, we strongly recommend applying in a year when you can commit to the full course. --- #### Questions about the course? **Brian R. Crete**, Faculty Development Program Manager [HMSOFA\_Programs@hms.harvard.edu](mailto:HMSOFA_Programs@hms.harvard.edu) --- ## Additional Information Open all sections Close all sections ### Selection and waitlist expand\_more Attendance is limited to 80 faculty in the Faculty of Medicine per cohort, and a short waitlist is maintained. The course is competitive. Applicants who are not selected are welcome to submit a new application and statement of support in a future year. ### Statement of support — questions for your Chair/Chief expand\_more The statement of support is submitted by your Department Chair or Division Chief. When you submit your application, a request is emailed to them automatically with a link to complete the statement **online**. The statement must be submitted through that link by the posted deadline; **mailed or emailed letters are not accepted.** The online form asks: - The applicant's current leadership responsibilities within the department/division. - What skills they hope the applicant will gain from the course. - How important the course will be to the applicant's career. - Any additional information helpful to the review committee. A Chair or Division Chief may support more than one applicant. ### Cancellation and refunds expand\_more Cancel at least two weeks before the course start date to receive a refund, less a $75 administrative fee and the $10 processing fee. No refund is issued within two weeks of the start date. ### How is this different from the Harvard Catalyst or DICP leadership courses? expand\_more Those are separate, grant-funded programs aimed at specific needs — for example, Harvard Catalyst focuses on researchers establishing a lab and research program. Discuss the options with your mentor to choose the right fit. ### Accreditation expand\_more In support of improving patient care, Harvard Medical School is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 18.75 *AMA PRA Category 1 Credits*™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with their participation.