Grad Cohort for Women Workshop
Student applications for 2025 Grad Cohort are open until November 15, 2024!
2025 Grad Cohort Workshops
Denver, CO | April 3-5, 2025
The CRA-WP Grad Cohort for Women Workshop is an inspiring event designed to provide critical mentoring, networking, and professional development opportunities to increase the representation of women and gender- marginalized students in graduate studies in computing. Over two days, participants engage with senior female computing researchers and professionals who share valuable insights on navigating graduate school, advancing in research, and building a successful career in computing.
The workshop features a mix of formal presentations, interactive discussions, and social events, creating an environment where participants can forge lasting mentoring relationships and peer networks. These connections not only support attendees throughout their graduate studies but also serve as a foundation for their future careers.
Outcomes from past workshops have shown that participants consistently report increased confidence, a stronger sense of community, and enhanced research output. Grad Cohort participants have been found to publish twice as many first-author conference papers compared to their peers, and their expanded professional networks have been crucial in their job searches and career advancement.
Since its inception in 2004, the CRA-WP Grad Cohort for Women has been instrumental in increasing the number of senior women in computing by fostering a nationwide community of women who support each other through their academic and professional journeys. The workshop is made possible through the generous support of sponsors from industry, academia, the National Science Foundation, and the broader computing community.
The workshop does not cost money to attend.
Please see our FAQs for more information!
Master and Ph.D. students in computer science and engineering or a closely related field, who are attending an institution in the U.S. or its territories, or an institution in Canada. Those who identify as women or gender-marginalized students are encouraged to apply. Students who have not previously attended a Grad Cohort Workshop will be given priority.
If there are extenuating circumstances for applying beyond the timeframe listed in the eligibility requirements, please make sure you address this in the application. Extenuating Circumstances beyond an applicant’s control include, but are not limited to:
- Documented medical condition or serious illness
- Documented learning disability
- Death of a family member or friend
- Involuntary call to active military duty
- Maternity/family leave
While we would like to include all students interested in a research career, we are limited by funding and space.
We make every attempt to achieve broad diversity goals by considering multiple factors including institution, citizenship, racial and ethnic background, disabilities, etc. Research success is not a criterion in the selection or application because our goal is to include those who might benefit the most from advice, although we do give priority to Ph.D. students over MS only students. Beyond this, some funding comes from the home departments, so acceptance of some students may depend on whether the home department is willing to support additional students.
We do our best to include as many universities as possible with the goal of the most widespread dissemination. The intent is that the students who attend should be able to share their experiences with their colleagues in their home institutions when they return. We also give priority to students who have not attended Grad Cohort for Women before.
- Full name, email, number, city, and state
- Gender identity, race, ethnicity, citizenship, residency status, disability status, veteran status
- ACM or ACM SIGs membership and interest, IEEE-CS membership and interest
- Primary academic affiliation, department, research area(s), degree program and number of years, department chair and advisor name, and email
- CV Link URL, previous attendance to either Grad Cohort
- Short response – Why do you want to attend Grad Cohort?
- CRA Privacy preferences
2024 Grad Cohort for Women
April 12-13, 2024
Early Years
How to Make the Most of Student-Advisor Relationships
Later Years
Balancing Graduate School and Personal Life
PhD Careers Paths & Job Search
Building Your Professional Persona
Preparing Your Thesis and Becoming a PhD Candidate
Plenaries
Storytelling For Powerful Communication
2023 Grad Cohort for Women
Friday, April 21, 2023
How to Make the Most of Student-Advisor Relationships
Preparing Your Thesis Proposal and Becoming a Ph.D. Candidate
Keynote: The Three Legged Stool
Perspectives from Grad Cohort Alums
Ph.D. Career Paths and Job Search
Strategies for Human-Human Interaction
Saturday, April 22, 2023
Empower Your Authentic Voice
2022 Grad Cohort for Women
A Research Mindset
Academia vs. Industry Research Positions
Balancing Graduate School and Personal Life
Building Self-Confidence
Building Your Professional Persona
National Science Foundation: The ABC’s of NSF
Finding a Research Topic
Master’s vs. Ph.D.
Networking
Perspectives From Grad Cohort Alums
Ph.D. Academic Career Paths and Job Search
Ph.D. Non-Academic Career Paths and Job Search
Preparing Your Thesis Proposal and Becoming a Ph.D. Candidate
Presentation and Other Verbal Communication Skills
Publishing Your Research
Strategies for Human-Human Interaction
Summer Internships
Industry vs. Academic Research Positions
Teaching Your First Course
How to Make the Most of Student-Advisor Relationships
Keynote – Meeting the Ethical Challenges of Computing Research: Questions Graduate Students Should Ask
2021 Grad Cohort for Women
A Research Mindset [ Video | Slides ]
Balancing Graduate School & Personal Life
Building Your Self-Confidence & Professional Persona
Entrepreneurship [ Video | Slides ]
Finding a Research Topic (Including Interdisciplinary)
Finding an Advisor
Industry vs. Academic Research Positions
Keynote
Networking [ Video | Slides ]
Ph.D. Career Paths & Job Search [ Video | Slides ]
Preparing Your Thesis Proposal and Becoming a Ph.D. Candidate
Presentation and Other Verbal Communication Skills
Publishing Your Research
Strategies for Human-Human Interaction
Summer Internships
2019 Grad Cohort for Women
Academia vs. Industry Research Positions
Balancing Graduate School and Personal Life
Building Self-Confidence
Building Your Professional Persona
Entrepreneurial Opportunities & Skills
Finding a Research Topic
Finding an Advisor and Developing an Effective Working Relationship with Them
Job Interviews
Keynote
M.S. Career Opportunities and Job Search
Master’s vs. Ph.D.
Networking
Perspectives From Grad Cohort Alums
Ph.D. Academic Career Paths and Job Search
Ph.D. Non-Academic Career Paths and Job Search
Preparing Your Thesis Proposal and Becoming a Ph.D. Candidate
Presentation and Other Verbal Communication Skills
Publishing Your Research
Strategies for Human-Human Interaction
Summer Internships
2018 Grad Cohort for Women
Academia vs. Industry Research Positions
Balancing Graduate School and Personal Life
Building Self-Confidence
Building Your Professional Persona
Entrepreneurial Opportunities & Skills
Finding a Research Topic
Finding an Advisor and Developing an Effective Working Relationship with Them
Job Interviews
Keynote
M.S. Career Opportunities and Job Search
Master’s vs. Ph.D.
Networking
Perspectives From Grad Cohort Alums
Ph.D. Academic Career Paths and Job Search
Ph.D. Non-Academic Career Paths and Job Search
Preparing Your Thesis Proposal and Becoming a Ph.D. Candidate
Presentation and Other Verbal Communication Skills
Publishing Your Research
Strategies for Human-Human Interaction
Summer Internships
2017 Grad Cohort for Women
Academia vs. Industry Research Positions
Balancing Graduate School and Personal Life
Building Self-Confidence
Building Your Professional Persona
Entrepreneurial Opportunities & Skills
Financing Your Graduate Education
Finding a Research Topic
Finding an Advisor and Developing an Effective Working Relationship with Them
Job Interviews
Keynote
M.S. Career Opportunities and Job Search
Master’s vs. Ph.D.
Networking
Perspectives From Grad Cohort Alums
Ph.D. Academic Career Paths and Job Search
Ph.D. Non-Academic Career Paths and Job Search
Preparing Your Thesis Proposal and Becoming a Ph.D. Candidate
Presentation and Other Verbal Communication Skills
Publishing Your Research
Strategies for Human-Human Interaction
Summer Internships
2016 Grad Cohort for Women
Academia vs. Industry Research Positions
Balancing Graduate School and Personal Life
Building Self-Confidence
Building Your Professional Persona
Entrepreneurial Opportunities & Skills
Financing Your Graduate Education
Finding a Research Topic
Finding an Advisor and Developing an Effective Working Relationship with them
Job Interviews
Keynote
M.S. Career Opportunities and Job Search
Master’s vs. Ph.D.
Networking
Perspectives From Grad Cohort Alums
Ph.D. Academic Career Paths and Job Search
Ph.D. Non-Academic Career Paths and Job Search
Preparing Your Thesis Proposal and Becoming a Ph.D. Candidate
Presentation and Other Verbal Communication Skills
Publishing Your Research
Strategies for Human-Human Interaction
Summer Internships
Support the Future of Computing: Sponsor the CRA-WP Grad Cohort for Women
The CRA-WP Grad Cohort for Women Workshop is a pivotal event that plays a crucial role in shaping the next generation of female leaders in computing. This workshop provides essential mentoring, networking, and professional development opportunities for women in graduate studies, particularly those from underrepresented groups in the field. Your sponsorship makes it possible to empower these students and ensure they have the support they need to succeed in their academic and professional journeys.
Why Sponsor?
- Impact the Future: By sponsoring the Grad Cohort for Women, you directly contribute to increasing women’s representation in computing. Your support helps to foster a strong pipeline of talented women who are prepared to lead and innovate in academia, industry, and government labs.
- Empower Students: Participants in the workshop consistently report increased confidence, a stronger sense of community, and significant improvements in their research output. Grad Cohort participants have been found to publish twice as many first-author conference papers compared to their peers, thanks to the guidance and networks they develop at this event.
- Enhance Your Visibility: As a sponsor, your organization will be prominently recognized on the event page, workshop materials, and CRA-WP communications. This visibility underscores your commitment to supporting women in tech and fostering the next generation of computing professionals.
- Connect with Top Talent: Sponsorship offers unique opportunities to engage with a diverse group of emerging researchers and professionals in computing. Through exclusive networking events and access to the graduating class directory, sponsors can connect directly with top talent who are poised to make significant contributions to the field.
Sponsorship Opportunities
We offer a range of sponsorship levels, each designed to provide meaningful recognition and engagement opportunities. Whether you represent a corporation, academic institution, professional society, or foundation, your support is vital to the success of this initiative.
For detailed information about sponsorship levels, benefits, and how your organization can make a difference, please refer to our 2025 CRA-WP Grad Cohort Sponsorship Prospectus.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Sponsorship opportunities are limited, and we encourage you to secure your participation early. By joining us as a sponsor, you help to build a more inclusive and diverse computing community while also benefiting from increased visibility and engagement with future leaders in the field.
To learn more or to confirm your sponsorship, please fill out the 2025 Grad Cohort Sponsorship Form.
You can contact us directly at GradCohortSponsorship@cra.org.
Together, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future in computing.
2024 Grad Cohort for Women Workshop Evaluation Reports
Explore the evaluation reports from the 2024 Grad Cohort for Women Workshop. These documents provide detailed feedback and insights from participants and speakers, along with an assessment of the workshop’s immediate impact.
These reports highlight the effectiveness of the workshop in supporting women in computing through mentoring, networking, and professional development.
- Immediate Impact Report – 2024 Grad Cohort for Women
- Participant Feedback Report – 2024 Grad Cohort for Women
- Speaker Feedback Report – 2024 Grad Cohort for Women
The following key insights, drawn from the 2024 Grad Cohort for Women Immediate Impact Report, highlight the effectiveness of the workshop in empowering women in computing:
- Increased Confidence in Academic Achievement: Participants reported a notable increase in their confidence to succeed in a graduate computing program after attending the workshop.
- Enhanced Professional Communication Skills: Attendees showed significant improvement in their confidence to effectively communicate technical problems and solutions to various audiences.
- Strengthened Professional Networks: Participants experienced a significant expansion of their professional networks, feeling more connected within the computing community.
- Improved Mentorship Support: There was a marked improvement in participants’ perceptions of mentorship support, particularly in exploring career options and navigating graduate school challenges.
- Higher Computing Identity: The workshop helped participants strengthen their identification with the computing field, reinforcing their commitment to pursuing careers in technology.
Application Process & Application Status
What information is needed in the application?
- Full name, email, number, city, and state
- Gender identity, race, ethnicity, citizenship, residency status, disability status, veteran status
- ACM or ACM SIGs membership and interest, IEEE-CS membership and interest
- Primary academic affiliation, department, research area(s), degree program and number of years, department chair and advisor name, and email
- CV Link URL, previous attendance to either Grad Cohort
- Short response – Why do you want to attend Grad Cohort?
- CRA Privacy preferences
How are the participants selected?
While we would like to include all students interested in a research career, we are limited by funding and space.
We make every attempt to achieve broad diversity goals by considering multiple factors including institution, citizenship, racial and ethnic background, disabilities, etc. Research success is not a criterion in the selection or application because our goal is to include those who might benefit the most from advice, although we do give priority to Ph.D. students over MS only students. Beyond this, some funding may come from the home departments, so acceptance of some students may depend on whether the home department is willing to support additional students.
We do our best to include as many universities as possible with the goal of the most widespread dissemination. The intent is that the students who attend should be able to share their experiences with their colleagues in their home institutions when they return. We also give priority to students who have not attended Grad Cohort for Women before.
When will I learn the status of my application?
Please note that invitations are distributed in waves and as we move along in the process, we will communicate decisions through email, please keep a close eye on your inbox.
If I missed the deadline for the Grad Cohort for Women application this year, is there any other way I can attend this year?
Unfortunately, you cannot, but the next Grad Cohort for Women is not too far away! Applications will become available in August for the next Workshop. We encourage you to sign up for CRA-WP Updates to receive notifications for upcoming applications.
Costs, Financial Assistance, and Reimbursements
Do I have to pay to attend?
If you are invited to Grad Cohort, your registration fee (after attending) and reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed by CRA through funds generously provided by our Grad Cohort sponsors. You will need to be able to pay for the cost of most things upfront.
What do you mean by reimbursed for reasonable travel expenses?
After attending the workshop, you will provide a receipt for items $25 or more and submit to our reimbursement line for reasonable expenses. Reasonable expenses include: airfare, ground transportation: to the airport, to the workshop, and home, meals not provided by the workshop (but within the approved travel dates), and lodging for you and your assigned roommate at the hotel the workshop is taking place.
You mentioned roommates, what if I need a single room?
If you need to request a single room that is okay! However, if you choose to request a single room, you will be responsible for half of the room cost and it will not be considered a reasonable travel expense.
How long will it take to get the money back?
We will reimburse the costs of your attendance within 6-8 weeks of your submission.
Plane tickets can be expensive and as a graduate student I don’t have the funds to front for that long, can you help?
We can provide assistance with purchasing plane tickets in advance of the workshop. During the registration process, we there will be a message on how to ask for financial assistance for plane travel and registration fees, if needed.