Turn your research expertise into educational leadership.
The Innovate UA Train-the-Trainer Program empowers faculty, researchers, and students to become the next generation of innovation and entrepreneurship educators. This initiative bridges the gap between “subject matter expert” and “expert instructor,” giving you the tools to scale translational research education and pitch training across The University of Alabama and beyond.
Why Train-the-Trainer?
Being an expert in your field is just the beginning. To drive real-world impact, we must be able to teach others how to translate discoveries into solutions. This program helps you transition into a confident facilitator capable of delivering engaging, consistent, and mission-aligned learning experiences.
The Roadmap to Leadership
Application
Interested candidates should apply through the application link.
Selection & Preparation
Our team will select high-potential faculty, postdoctoral students, graduate students, and staff based on their research expertise and passion for teaching.
Core Training Sessions
Trainees engage in a structured curriculum that includes:
- Storytelling with Pitch Decks
- Competitive Analysis
- Market Analysis
- Derisking
- Gap Analysis
Training emphasizes both mastery of innovation content and training delivery skills so participants can confidently lead sessions themselves. All training materials and slide decks will be provided to them by the Integrated Venture Development unit, ensuring consistency across all sessions.
Apprenticeships & Peer Teaching
Put your skills into practice. You will lead workshops within existing UA programs as well as at other Alabama colleges, gaining real-world experience with the guidance of experienced mentors.
Benefits of Becoming a Trainer
- Scalable Impact: Extend the reach of innovation and entrepreneurship by teaching others within the UA ecosystem and local communities.
- Instructional Expertise: Master the art of entrepreneurship training-based course design, facilitation, and learner engagement.
- Turnkey Resources: Access standardized, high-quality materials so you never have to “reinvent the wheel.”
Who Should Join?
We are looking for motivated individuals across the University who want to champion innovation:
- Faculty & Research Leaders looking to spearhead innovation-focused training.
- Graduate Students & Postdocs aiming to build instructional credentials.
- University Staff supporting translational research, outreach, and economic development.
Ready to Lead?
Take the next step in your professional journey and help us build UA’s internal capacity for innovation.
Selected trainers will be notified via email by the Integrated Venture Development unit of the Office of Research and Economic Development.
The first cohort of training is slated to begin on March 3rd and 4th, 2026, 12:00–1:30pm CT, via Zoom.
Questions?
Contact Nicholas Brown in the Research ASSIST Office at nebrown7@ua.edu or (205) 348-0898.
This program is supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No. 2331381. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.