The TACC Trainee Co-Leadership Award amplifies trainee voices in research governance, equipping them with tools to lead change across neurodevelopmental science and community engagement.
The Transforming Autism Care Consortium (TACC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025–2026 TACC Trainee Co-Leadership Award, an opportunity designed to cultivate leadership and strategic engagement among the next generation of neurodevelopmental researchers.
Meet the 2025–2026 TACC Trainee Co-Leadership Award recipients:
This year’s awardees were selected for their academic excellence, commitment to community, and passion for transforming the research landscape. Each trainee will be matched to one of TACC’s strategic committees or working groups, gaining hands-on experience in areas such as governance, training, Open Science, intersectoral and inclusive research, community engagement and knowledge mobilization.
“We believe leadership is not something you wait to grow into—it’s something you build through meaningful engagement,” says Mayada Elsabbagh, Director of TACC. “This award allows trainees to shape the future of our network while building the leadership skills they need to drive change.”
With stipends of up to $10,000 and renewable funding, the Co-Leadership Award supports Master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral trainees in developing long-term leadership capacity within and beyond the network. The award also strengthens ties between trainees and community partners, recognizing the essential role of collaboration in supporting more inclusive futures for autistic individuals and people with other neurodevelopmental conditions.
“This award is more than a leadership opportunity, it’s a concrete step toward democratizing research governance,” adds Mélanie Couture, Co-Director of TACC. “It ensures that future leaders are embedded in the structures they will one day help guide.”