WISE Planet Change Leadership Applicant Information

A strong application demonstrates that the sponsor organization sees leadership potential for the applicant. 

A major part of the program is the Leadership Equity Action Plan (LEAP) Project that the WISE Planet participants will initiate and implement. We strongly recommend the applicants give some advance thought to their proposed LEAP Project - and clearly show how this project will position them as a leader in their organization and will advance equity, diversity, inclusion or innovation (sustainability) in their organization or society at large. Preference will be given to the nominees who join with a LEAP Project already in mind or started. However, those committed to defining a project near the start of the program are still encouraged to apply. 

The applicant should discuss the rationale for seeking leadership roles and the likely impact of their project over the next five years.

Nominations should come from a senior official within the applicant’s organization to ensure that WISE Planet participants are well supported within their organizations and that there is a clear commitment from the organization to the advancement of the applicant. The sponsoring organizations can send up to two participants to the program without any program fees for the period of their sponsorship. The sponsoring institution is responsible for any costs incurred for Leadership Equity Action Plan Projects and any possible travel costs. 

The nominating organization must commit to:

• Provide time and support for the candidate to fully participate in the program
• Cover any expenses related to the LEAP Project or possible travel 
• Connect the participant to leadership in the organization
• Help the participant develop a leadership program 

In your nomination letter, which is part of the application process, please address the following points: 

1. Why are you nominating this candidate for the WiSE Planet Program? 
2. What types of new knowledge or skills would you like to see the candidate learn during this program? 
3. How will you work with and mentor your candidate during and after the program? 
4. Which formal and/or informal leadership role(s) do you anticipate this candidate assuming in the next 3 to 5 years? How will you support them in this endeavour? 
5. Please include additional information about the candidate that you feel would be of interest to the selection committee. 

The letters, once prepared, can be given back to the applicant to submit online with the rest of the application, or, if preferred, the letter writers can email them directly to WISE Planet. 

In the case of a direct email, please use a subject line of ‘Supporting letter for Applicant <first initial.last name>’

In your recommendation letter, please address the following points: 

1. Why are you recommending this candidate? 
2. What are the candidate’s present responsibilities and breadth of experience at their current institution and elsewhere? 
3. What are the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses as they relate to their potential as an institutional leader? 
4. Within their institutions, what is your frank evaluation of the candidate’s potential for leadership? 
5. What position(s) can you envision them assuming in the foreseeable future?
6. Please include any additional information that you feel would be of interest to the selection committee.

The letters, once prepared, can be given back to the applicant to submit online with the rest of the application, or if preferred, the letter writers can email them directly to WISE Planet. 

In the case of a direct email, please use  a subject line of ‘Supporting letter for Applicant <first initial.last name>’

The application for our third cohort will be open from Sept 11th - Nov 27th, 2023