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AUA Masterclass in Executive Leadership

American Urological Association

Back by popular demand, following its sold-out launch in 2025, the AUA's Masterclass in Executive Leadership is a unique, 2-1/2-day program designed for mid-career professionals looking to be more impactful leaders and advance their careers. Becoming a great leader is a lifelong pursuit. Even those in management positions need to nurture their skills to successfully communicate, motivate and navigate today's complex work environments. Having a fundamental understanding of the business behind the practice is also critical for today's leaders in urology.

This immersive weekend is limited to just 24 participants and features an extraordinary group of accomplished leaders who will serve as mentors throughout the experience. Through interactive, small-group discussions, practical exercises, and real-world, case-based scenarios, participants will have the opportunity to:

Strengthen their own leadership skills to lead, inspire and influence others.
Gain insight into the role of values, influence, and culture in shaping successful organizations.
Elevate their communication skills and emotional intelligence to successfully navigate complex relationships and organizational politics.
Build a solid understanding of the foundational principles of the business of urology to drive better decision-making.

This unique program requires an application and approval prior to registration and will be limited to 24 participants to allow for small-group engagement. The weekend will also include a cocktail reception and dinner on Friday evening, and an off-site group dinner on Saturday evening to foster networking and engagement with faculty and other participants. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance.

Note: The Annual Urology Advocacy (AUA) Summit kicks off on Monday, March 1, 2027, in Washington, DC, just a short distance from AUA headquarters. Access information on the AUA Summit.

Sign up to receive more information. We will email you with additional program details when applications open in August 2026.

Time, Date, Location

Friday, February 26, at 12 p.m. to Sunday, February 28, 2027, at 12 p.m. AUA Headquarters, Linthicum, MD.

Application Process

Applicants must submit a formal application during the application cycle (August 5–September 30, 2026).
Application requirements:
- Curriculum Vitae
- History of progressive leadership roles (professional and/or volunteer)
- Two letters of recommendation, each speaking to demonstrated leadership qualities:
  - One from a professional colleague in a supervisory role, professional mentor or sponsor
  - One from a professional colleague/peer
- A 500-word personal statement on the value of leadership

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed and assessed by the program directors and faculty.
Applicants will be notified of selections on or before October 30, 2026. Selected applicants must secure their spot within 10 days of notification (via payment of program fee).

Fee: $2,095*

*Includes program fees plus Friday evening reception and dinner; breakfast and lunch on Saturday; off-site dinner on Saturday evening; breakfast and boxed lunch on Sunday.

Hotel and Travel

Transportation and hotel costs are not included in the program fee. AUA has a partnership with a hotel a short distance from AUA headquarters, which will provide a discounted rate to participants as well as shuttle service. Those details will be provided to accepted applicants. AUA headquarters is located just 3 miles from BWI airport.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Direct relevance to urology ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the most important predictor.

Research should clearly address an important urologic problem, such as:

Prostate cancer
Bladder cancer
Kidney/renal cancer
Testicular cancer
Kidney stones
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Urinary incontinence
Overactive bladder
Male infertility
Erectile dysfunction
Sexual medicine
Pediatric urology
Urologic trauma
Neuro-urology
Urologic oncology
Reconstructive urology
Transplant/renovascular urology

AUA's current research portfolio spans both basic science and clinical/outcomes research.

2. Overall impact and significance ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the highest-weighted published criterion, accounting for 40% in the AUA Data Research Program.

Reviewers specifically ask whether the project:

Addresses a meaningful knowledge gap in urology
Addresses an important barrier to progress
Could change clinical practice
Could improve patient outcomes
Could reduce medical costs or waste
Could influence healthcare policy
Will advance the field of urology

Therefore, the application should make the importance of the problem immediately obvious.

3. Potential to change clinical practice ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

AUA places substantial emphasis on research that can ultimately improve how urologic diseases are diagnosed or treated.

The strongest proposals establish a pathway such as:

Research finding → clinical evidence → change in practice → improved patient outcomes

Particularly compelling areas include:

Earlier cancer detection
Better treatment selection
Reduced surgical complications
Improved urinary function
Reduced recurrence
Better cancer survival
Reduced unnecessary procedures
Improved quality of life

The AUA's published review criteria explicitly ask whether results could change clinical practice or improve patient outcomes.

4. Innovation and originality ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Innovation accounts for 20% of the AUA Data Research Program score. Reviewers explicitly ask whether the investigation is novel.

Competitive proposals should demonstrate:

Novel hypothesis
New analytical approach
New technology
New biomarker
Innovative surgical technique
Precision medicine
AI/data science
New treatment strategy
New interpretation of existing urologic data

A proposal should clearly distinguish itself from existing literature.

5. Rigorous methodology and appropriate analysis ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Approach accounts for another 20%.

AUA reviewers specifically evaluate whether the methodology and analyses are:

Well reasoned
Methodologically valid
Appropriate for the aims
Supported by relevant literature
Based on an adequately representative study population
Supported by appropriate sample size
Supported by appropriate controls

Reviewers also expect applicants to identify potential barriers and provide mitigation strategies.

Strong proposal structure

Clinical problem → knowledge gap → hypothesis/question → methodology → analysis → expected result → clinical impact

6. Strong investigator credentials and experience ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Investigator Credentials & Experience account for 20% in the AUA Data Research Program.

Competitive applicants should demonstrate:

Relevant research experience
Peer-reviewed publications
Appropriate clinical/scientific expertise
Previous successful research
Knowledge of the proposed methods
Ability to complete the project

Importantly, AUA specifically gives special consideration to trainees and Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs).

7. Early-career investigator potential ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

AUA has a substantial infrastructure for developing future urologic researchers.

Its current research portfolio includes:

Summer Medical Student Fellowships
Residency Research Awards
Physician Scientist Residency Training Awards
LEAD Awards
Research Scholar Awards
Rising Stars in Urology Research Awards
Early-Career Investigator Workshop

For these mechanisms, a strong application should show:

Commitment to academic urology
Research potential
Mentorship
Career-development goals
Protected research time
Potential for future independent funding

8. Strong preliminary data and feasibility ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

For research-oriented grants, preliminary evidence can make the proposed study much more credible.

Useful evidence includes:

Pilot data
Preliminary clinical results
Prior publications
Existing datasets
Proof-of-concept experiments
Initial biomarker findings
Preliminary statistical analysis

The goal is to demonstrate that the proposed study is not merely speculative and can realistically produce meaningful results.

9. Representative patient population and health equity ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

AUA's research criteria specifically ask whether the proposed data sufficiently represent the study population.

This makes population selection particularly important for clinical/outcomes research.

Strong proposals should consider:

Appropriate demographic representation
Sex/gender where relevant
Age
Race/ethnicity where scientifically relevant
Geographic variation
Socioeconomic factors
Access to care
Urologic health disparities

AUA also recognizes health disparities in urology as an important educational/research area.

10. Potential for future funding and research independence ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

AUA has an explicit emphasis on developing the next generation of surgeon-investigators and research scientists. Its Early-Career Investigator Workshop is designed to help researchers compete successfully for federal and private funding.

Specialties

Urology

Eligibility Requirements

Graduate of the AUA Leadership Program or urologist (MD or DO) with demonstrated and progressive leadership experience
Must be an AUA member in the Active, Affiliate or International member category
7+ years in practice is preferred

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: American Urological Association

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 1000 Corporate Boulevard Linthicum, MD 21090

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