Graduate Program

Graduate Program

Future Professionals Program

A two-year professional development and support program for graduate women in STEM and their allies of any sex or gender.

Started in 2007, the WiSE Future Professionals Program (WiSE-FPP) is a two-year professional development and support program for women in STEM and their allies of any sex or gender at the graduate level. The program is collaborative, interdisciplinary, and self-directed, with participants (WiSE-FPP Associates) taking a proactive role in designing the terms of their own academic and professional success.

WiSE-FPP supports graduate women pursuing careers in the sciences, mathematics, engineering, and other STEM fields. It is designed to support persistence to degree at Syracuse University, help Associates advance to their next career goal, and prepare them to thrive professionally in academia or industry.

Two-year commitmentStipend, certificate & badgeMonthly activitiesFaculty nomination required

What you get

Key elements of the program

Professional developmentMonthly activities and resources focused on professional skills, networking, career preparation and job search, and community building.Portfolio feedbackAn annual opportunity to develop and receive feedback on a professional portfolio that prepares you for the job market.Stipend, certificate & badgeA small annual stipend, a certificate, and a Syracuse University digital badge for a two-year commitment, in addition to the Graduate School stipend. Associates complete 5 program credits each year to receive the WiSE stipend.Leadership & connectionsBuild relational leadership skills and a strong professional network across STEM disciplines, with support tailored to women and gender minorities in STEM.

In action

The FPP community

Peer Chat • April 2026Sarees, Samosas & Science • January 2026Belonging in STEM • October 2025FPP Associates • 2024FPP Associates • 2019

Objectives

What associates develop

  • Build relational leadership skills in professional and scientific settings.
  • Learn how to build a strong professional and community network, with opportunities to practice and implement those skills.
  • Develop academic and career planning and preparation.
  • Understand the variety of challenges specific to women and other gender minorities in STEM, such as work/life balance and gender bias.

Eligibility

Who can participate

Faculty nominate prospective WiSE-FPP Associates at the beginning of their second year of their academic program, or in the fall of any year afterward. Faculty may also nominate master’s students who are likely to matriculate to the Ph.D. Nominees of any sex or gender who meet the degree requirements are eligible to become FPP Associates.

Applicants in a degree program within one of the following STEM schools and departments will have priority. Eligible students from other departments will be considered on a case-by-case basis as capacity allows.

Architecture  •  Biology  •  Biomedical & Chemical Engineering  •  Chemistry  •  Civil & Environmental Engineering  •  Communication Sciences & Disorders  •  Earth & Environmental Sciences  •  Electrical Engineering & Computer Science  •  Exercise Science  •  Forensic Sciences  •  Information Studies  •  Mathematics  •  Mathematics Education  •  Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering  •  Nutrition Science  •  Physics  •  Psychology  •  Public Health

How to apply

Submit a nomination

WiSE-FPP Associates must be nominated by their faculty advisor or another mentor. Calls for nominations are issued to faculty each year before the beginning of the fall semester.

Nominations for 2026-27 are open now and reviewed through Friday, August 28, 2026.

Submit a nomination Download the flyer

Current Associates

Already an FPP Associate?

Find everything you need for your participation summary and annual portfolio.

Current FPP Associates

Background

About WiSE-FPP

WiSE-FPP supports Syracuse University’s vision of being a pre-eminent and inclusive student-focused research university. Associates contribute to interdisciplinary research, a healthy and sustainable community, and engaged citizenship. The program helps women faculty and their allies support one another while nurturing and encouraging the next generation of students in STEM.

Questions? Contact us or email suwise@syr.edu.