Frequently Asked Questions

Application and Selection Process

Can I submit my application via email?

No. You can only submit your application via Talent Marketplace.

What are the parts of my application?

The application has two parts: (1) a form to fill out directly in Talent Marketplace (including participant and supervisor signatures) and (2) a PDF containing essay questions. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Is Supervisor endorsement required?

Yes. The supervisor’s application signature meets the endorsement requirement. Applications MUST be signed by supervisors to be considered. Unsigned applications will not be reviewed. Supervisor endorsement is committing to:

  • Financially support the participant's travel to three in-person sessions. The first two sessions will be 5 business days each, and the third session will be 3 business days long. A travel day before and after each session will be needed.
  • Work out labor funding with the home organization/center.
  • Acknowledge that NASA LEADS is a 12-month, part-time program. Selected participants will commit up to 20% of their time to program activities and travel over the entire performance period.
  • Allow participants to be assigned to small teams to work on center and/or agency-level projects, which are expected to be completed before the final module.
  • Work with this participant to ensure full commitment to gain the maximum value from NASA LEADS, which includes proactively balancing workload.

How do I know that my application has been received?

Talent Marketplace provides a confirmation screen after a submission is complete. Please note that unsigned applications will not be reviewed.

How many participants will be selected?

Twenty (20) Civil Servants from Science organizations will be selected from across the Agency.

Are contractors eligible to participate?

Unfortunately, like all other Agency leadership development programs, NASA LEADS is unavailable to contractors.

Are term civil servants eligible to participate?

Yes, term employees can participate in NASA LEADS, as long as there is sufficient time remaining in their appointment.

Why are scientists below GS-13 not eligible for this leadership development program?

LEADS is ideal for scientists who have had some exposure and experience in leadership roles, which is typically expected at the GS-13 and above level.  The Agency piloted a workshop entitled Science Career Opportunities Planning and Exploration (SCOPE) in 2023 which targeted early- and mid-career scientists.  Workshop materials can be found at: https://science.nasa.gov/about-us/scope-workshop-2023/.

What are the stages of the selection process?

  • The NASA LEADS application will be available in Talent Marketplace from September 13th to October 10th, 2024. Please plan ahead, as the application requires supervisor endorsement and completing essay questions.
  • Applications go through an initial eligibility screening for:
    • Completeness (questions and essay questions)
    • Supervisor endorsement
    • GS/NEX grade
    • Job series (e.g., all job series 1300, 0400, or 1515, 1520, 1530, 1550 in science organizations).
    • Applicants who are not eligible and their supervisors will be notified as soon as the initial screening is complete.
  • Eligible applications sent to members of an initial selection panel:
    • 3 reviewers will evaluate each application
    • Reviewers are senior GS-15+ in Science & Science-related fields
    • Responses to six essay questions in the applications will be scored from 0-5 and given a final recommendation of “highly recommend,” “recommend,” “recommend with reservations” or “do not recommend”
    • Recommendation scores will be averaged with the independent evaluations from all reviewers
    • If the standard deviation of the Recommendation Score is very large, an additional reviewer will be sought 
  • All eligible applicants and their supervisors will be notified of the selection outcomes at this time.

Can I apply to the program if I am a civil servant scientist but my job code is outside of the following series: 1300s, 0400s, 1515, 1520, 1530, and 1550?

Yes, if you are a civil servant at the GS-13 level or above, or NEX-13 or above, working in a science organization, and scientists in non-science organizations, you are eligible to participate in NASA LEADS. The list of series that was provided is for illustrative purposes only.

Where will the in-person meetings that require travel be located?

The first in-person session is scheduled for the first week of February 2025 at Langley in Hampton, VA. The second session will be in July 2025 in Colorado Springs, CO (this is the only one that will not be at a NASA center), and the third will be during the first week of December 2025 at Houston's Johnson Space Center.

I was not able to attend the info sessions. Is there a recording I can watch?

Yes, the info sessions were recorded. Below, you will find the link to access them:

I am a Mac user and cannot open the application form. Each time I try, Adobe prompts me to enter login information. How can I resolve this issue?

Please make sure you are using Safari, as it is Mac's preferred browser. Open the Self-Service application, select 'Remediation,' then choose 'Reset AppleSSO.' Select ' Force Apple SSO Sign Out ' if your Self-Service menu doesn't have the 'Reset AppleSSO' option. To force quit and sign back into the SSO Kerberos: Open /Applications/Self Service. Then, run the 'Force Apple SSO Sign Out' policy.

My supervisor is a Mac user, and nothing happened after signing the application form—we can't see the signature on the form. Can I still submit my application without my supervisor's signature?

We have been informed that some Mac users are struggling with the form. Please take a screenshot with your supervisor's signature and include it as your second attachment to the application.

Costs

Who will pay for the FTEs to participate in NASA LEADS?

Your organization will cover the ~0.2 FTE needed to participate in NASA LEADS. Supervisor endorsement acknowledges and commits to providing FTE support.

Who will pay for travel expenses to participate in NASA LEADS in-person sessions?

Your organization will pay for travel to all three NASA LEADS in-person sessions. Supervisor endorsement acknowledges and commits to providing travel support.

Attendance and Expectations

Is attendance to in-person sessions mandatory?

Yes. You cannot participate in NASA LEADS unless you attend and actively participate in all the in-person sessions. You are not eligible for participation if you cannot commit to traveling to these sessions. In-person sessions cannot be substituted by hybrid or remote participation. In-person completion of these sessions is required for NASA LEADS graduation.

Is synchronous participation in virtual courses mandatory?

Yes. You cannot participate in NASA LEADS unless you attend all the courses at the time they are taught. If you cannot commit to attending these courses, you are not eligible for participation.

Can I step out to attend non-LEADS meetings while at an in-person session or a virtual course?

No. All participants are expected to fully focus on NASA LEADS content for the duration of program activities. This is standard practice in all NASA leadership development programs. Supervisors will receive an orientation about NASA LEADS good-standing and graduation requirements during the program kickoff.

What are the requirements for program participation and completion?

To remain in good standing, a NASA LEADS participant will:

  • Attend all three in-person sessions, including the in-person graduation. In-person sessions cannot be substituted by hybrid or remote participation. In-person completion of these sessions is required for NASA LEADS graduation.
  • Attend all three virtual, inter-session meetings, including the program orientation.
  • Meet all the requirements set forth by the program, including assigned coursework, a capstone group project, assessments, session assignments, and pre-session reading assignments.
  • Meet with an assigned coach monthly.

What activities are NASA LEADS participants required to attend?

  • What activities are NASA LEADS participants required to attend?
  • NASA LEADS participants are required to attend all virtual and in-person components to remain in good standing. If you cannot commit to attending all NASA LEADS activities, you are not eligible for participation. Note that the following dates are tentative.
  • Orientation: 21 January 2025 (12:00 pm to 4 pm ET)
  • Virtual High Performing Teams Course: 3 days during the week of 27 January 2025 (specific days TBD)
  • In-Person Session 1 at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA: 2-7 February 2025 (full week, including Sunday evening)
  • Virtual Intersession 1: 6 March 2025 (12:00 pm to 4 pm ET)
  • Virtual Negotiations and Influence Course: 4 days during the week of April 2025 (specific days TBD)
  • Virtual Leading for Technical and Scientific Innovation Course: 3 days during the week of May 2025 (specific days TBD)
  • Virtual Strategy and Change Management Course: 3 days during the week of June 2025 (specific days TBD)
  • In-Person Session 2 at the Penrose House in Colorado Springs, CO: 6-11 July 2025 (full week, including Sunday evening)
  • Virtual Crucial Conversations Course: 3 days during the week of August 2025 (specific days TBD)
  • Virtual Intersession 2: September 2025 (half-day)
  • Virtual Stewardship of Federal Resources Course: 4 days during the week of October 2025 (specific days TBD)
  • Virtual Leading in the Global Technical and Scientific Communities Course: 4 days during the week of November 2025 (specific days TBD)
  • In-Person Session 3 and Graduation:  3-6 December 2025 (half week)

Accessibility

Who do I contact if I have reasonable accommodation requests?

Requests for Reasonable Accommodations will follow the standard NASA process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in NASA LEADS, please contact your Center Disability Program Manager. Please notify the APPEL KS Training & Support Specialist for the course if the accommodation requires support from the instructor or includes an additional attendee (e.g., a sign language interpreter).

Quick links

Join our supervisor and participant sessions to learn more.

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Who qualifies for the program?

Visit Talent Marketplace to apply.

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