FKNE Leadership and Soft Skills Online Training Series for Starting Principal Investigators

Deadline: 13-Oct-2026

The FKNE Leadership and Soft Skills Online Training Series 2026 is inviting applications from early-stage principal investigators (PIs) seeking to strengthen leadership and professional skills in research environments. The six-week online programme will cover leadership, communication, mentoring, teamwork and mental health, with up to 20 neuroscience principal investigators selected for the closed training forum.

About the FKNE Leadership and Soft Skills Online Training Series

The programme is organised by the FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence (FKNE) with support from the FENS Committee for Higher Education and Training. It is designed for early-stage neuroscience principal investigators who have recently established their own research laboratories and want to develop the professional and interpersonal skills required to lead successful research teams. Training will be delivered by experts from Leadership Sculptor, along with FENS-Kavli Scholars and Alumni. Training Focus Areas The programme addresses practical skills that are important for researchers transitioning into leadership positions.

Key areas include:

- Research leadership. - Communication skills. - Mentoring and supervision. - Teamwork and team management. - Mental health in research environments. - Professional development. - Leadership challenges faced by early-stage principal investigators. The sessions will be adapted to the needs and professional challenges of the selected participants. Programme Format and Schedule The training series consists of six weekly online meetings.

The programme begins on:

4 November 2026

Key programme features include:

- Six weekly online sessions. - Interactive professional training. - A closed participant forum. - Maximum of 20 participants. - Needs-based session design. - Participation with other early-stage neuroscience PIs. - Training from professional leadership experts and experienced researchers. Because the programme is limited to 20 participants, applicants are expected to benefit from a focused peer-learning environment. Who Is Eligible? The programme is specifically intended for principal investigators who established their neuroscience laboratories in 2020 or later.

Applicants must:

- Be a principal investigator. - Have established their neuroscience laboratory in 2020 or later. - Have their laboratory located on the European continent. - Work in an eligible European country or territory listed by the programme.

Eligible locations include:

- European Union countries. - Israel. - United Kingdom. - Iceland. - Ukraine. - Turkey. - Russia. - Norway. - Switzerland. - Serbia. - Albania. - Kosovo. - Montenegro. - Macedonia. - Bosnia and Herzegovina. Priority Applicants The programme gives priority to principal investigators working at institutions where comparable leadership training and professional-development resources are not readily available. This means applicants should clearly demonstrate how participation would address a gap in the professional-development opportunities available at their institution. Who Is the Programme For? The training is particularly relevant to researchers who have recently moved from an individual research role into laboratory leadership. It can help PIs develop skills related to: - Managing research teams. - Communicating effectively with colleagues. - Mentoring students and researchers. - Building collaborative teams. - Managing leadership responsibilities. - Supporting mental health within research environments. - Navigating challenges associated with establishing a new laboratory. How the Training Works The programme uses a small-group, online format rather than a large public webinar.

Step 1: Apply to the Programme

Eligible principal investigators submit their applications according to the programme requirements.

Step 2: Participant Selection

Applications are reviewed and participants are selected for the closed training forum. Up to 20 PIs will participate. Priority is given to applicants who have limited access to similar leadership and professional-development resources through their institutions.

Step 3: Participate in Six Weekly Sessions

Selected participants attend six online meetings beginning on 4 November 2026.

Step 4: Engage in Needs-Based Training

The sessions are designed around the professional-development needs of the selected participants. This allows the programme to address practical leadership challenges rather than relying solely on a fixed training curriculum.

Step 5: Participate in Peer Learning

Participants can exchange experiences and perspectives with other early-stage neuroscience principal investigators in a focused, closed setting. Why It Matters Becoming a principal investigator involves more than conducting scientific research. PIs must also manage people, communicate effectively, mentor early-career researchers and create healthy and productive laboratory environments. The FKNE training series addresses these broader responsibilities by combining research leadership development with communication, mentoring, teamwork and mental-health awareness. For early-stage neuroscience PIs, the programme can provide both practical professional training and an opportunity to learn from peers facing similar leadership challenges. Tips for Applicants Applicants should make their professional-development needs clear when applying.

Consider highlighting:

- When the laboratory was established. - Your current responsibilities as a principal investigator. - Leadership challenges you are currently facing. - Your experience managing or mentoring researchers. - Areas where you want to improve your leadership capabilities. - Why the online training would benefit your research environment. - Whether your institution has limited access to comparable leadership-development resources. Applicants should also verify that their laboratory location falls within the programme’s eligible geographic scope. Common Mistakes to Avoid Appl