Issued by: Mind & Life Institute
Anticipated Start Date: September 2026
Contact: Ami Henson, ahenson@mindandlife.org

About Mind & Life

The Mind & Life Institute bridges science and contemplative wisdom to foster insight and inspire action toward flourishing.

Mind & Life develops interdisciplinary programs, workshops, dialogues, and convenings involving researchers, contemplative practitioners, faculty, and other members of its community.

Purpose

Mind & Life is seeking experienced independent consultants to join a pool of program managers and facilitators who may be engaged to support Mind & Life programs.

The first anticipated assignment is the 2027 Mind & Life Summer Research Institute (SRI). Additional assignments may support other Mind & Life programs, events, workshops, dialogues, and special initiatives.

Applicants may apply for either or both of the following categories:

  1. Program Management
  2. Facilitation

Applicants applying for both categories may propose different rates for each.

Selection for the consultant pool does not guarantee an assignment or minimum amount of work.

Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate strong experience in both program management and facilitation.

First Anticipated Assignment: SRI 2027

The first assignment is expected to be June 7-11, 2027, to support the planning and delivery of SRI and is anticipated to:

  • Require approximately 700 hours over the full program cycle
  • Require attendance and active participation at the full in-person SRI
  • Include attendance at planning meetings, orientations, and other Mind & Life events as needed
  • Require some evening, weekend, and travel availability during major program periods

The level of effort will vary across the program cycle, with fewer hours during some planning periods and increased hours as SRI approaches.

The final agreement will identify the dates, responsibilities, deliverables, travel requirements, compensation structure, and contract cap.

Service Categories
Category 1: Program Management

Program-management assignments may include:

  • Maintain Mind & Life program workplans, timelines, trackers, and planning documents.
  • Coordinate planning committees, faculty, speakers, contemplative practitioners, reviewers, participants, and other contributors.
  • Schedule meetings and prepare agendas, notes, decisions, action items, and follow-up communications.
  • Coordinate application, review, scoring, selection, registration, scholarship, and waitlist processes.
  • Draft program communications, website content, participant materials, and internal documents.
  • Coordinate work across Mind & Life teams, including Programs, Research, Events, Communications, Finance, and Information Technology.
  • Coordinate program requirements with event staff, venues, vendors, and virtual-platform providers.
  • Monitor progress, identify risks or delays, and elevate decisions when needed.
  • Attend Mind & Life programs and events and provide real-time faculty, participant, and program support.
  • Support schedules, session transitions, presentation materials, accessibility needs, and emerging on-site issues.
  • Coordinate surveys, evaluation summaries, lessons learned, and program closeout.

For major programs such as SRI, the program manager may serve as a central point of coordination throughout the planning cycle and during the full in-person event.

Category 2: Facilitation

Facilitation assignments must be done in consultation with the Program Planning Committee, where appropriate, and other Mind & Life content actors. It may include:

  • Design and facilitate planning meetings, committee meetings, orientations, workshops, retreats, and program sessions.
  • Develop agendas, facilitation plans, discussion prompts, and group processes.
  • Help interdisciplinary groups explore complex issues, make decisions, and reach clarity.
  • Support inclusive participation and constructive engagement across differences.
  • Facilitate virtual, hybrid, and in-person gatherings.
  • Work with faculty, speakers, contemplative practitioners, and Mind & Life staff to shape session goals and participant experiences.
  • Document key themes, decisions, open questions, and follow-up actions.
  • Attend Mind & Life programs and events, including SRI, when required by the assignment.
  • Provide on-site facilitation and adapt plans in response to the needs of participants and the program.
Qualifications

Strong candidates will demonstrate:

  • At least five years of relevant experience in program management, facilitation, nonprofit programming, education, research, events, convenings, or a related field
  • Experience working with programs involving multiple stakeholders and workstreams
  • Strong organizational, written, verbal, and relationship-management skills
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with staff and external partners
  • Experience supporting in-person, virtual, or hybrid programs
  • Ability and willingness to travel and attend Mind & Life events when required
  • Sound judgment and the ability to manage changing priorities
  • Commitment to inclusive, equitable, accessible, and respectful program practices
  • Alignment with Mind & Life’s mission and values

Applicants for the facilitation category should demonstrate experience facilitating productive and inclusive meetings, workshops, or group processes.

Prior experience with Mind & Life programs, systems, staff, community members, or organizational culture will receive greater weight in the selection process, but it is not a requirement. 

Experience with SRI, interdisciplinary programs, contemplative practice, academic communities, application-review processes, or residential convenings is preferred.

Proposal Requirements

Please submit a concise proposal that includes:

  1. Statement of interest
    Describe your interest in supporting Mind & Life and indicate whether you are applying for program management, facilitation, or both.
  2. Relevant experience
    Summarize your experience in each category for which you are applying.
  3. Examples of prior work
    Briefly describe two or three comparable assignments, including your role, responsibilities, and results.
  4. Mind & Life experience
    Describe any previous experience with Mind & Life, SRI, its programs, community, staff, systems, or partners. Prior Mind & Life experience is not required.
  5. Availability
    Confirm your general availability, ability to travel, and ability to attend SRI and other Mind & Life events.
  6. Proposed rates
    Provide your proposed compensation structure. Applicants applying for both categories may provide separate rates for program management and facilitation. Please also identify any separate travel-day or on-site rates.
  7. References
    Provide two professional references for comparable work.
  8. Résumé or CV
Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

  • Relevant experience in the category or categories selected
  • Experience with Mind & Life, and complex, interdisciplinary, or mission-driven programs
  • Organizational, communication, and relationship-management skills
  • Facilitation approach and experience, when applicable
  • Availability for SRI and other Mind & Life events
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively
  • Alignment with Mind & Life’s mission and values
  • Prior Mind & Life experience
  • Proposed rates and overall value
  • References

Relevant Mind & Life experience will be weighted favorably but will not be a prerequisite for selection.

Consultant Pool and Assignment Process

Mind & Life may select multiple consultants for one or both categories.

When a program need arises, Mind & Life may contact one or more consultants based on their experience, qualifications, availability, proposed rates, and fit for the assignment.

Each engagement will be governed by a separate consulting agreement or statement of work describing:

  • Responsibilities and deliverables
  • Assignment dates
  • Estimated hours or level of effort
  • Required meetings and event attendance
  • Travel requirements
  • Compensation
  • Contract cap

Consultants will serve as independent contractors. Inclusion in the pool does not guarantee an assignment or minimum number of hours.

Submission

Submit proposals electronically to:
Ami Henson, ahenson@mindandlife.org

Use the subject line:
Program Management and Facilitation Consultant Pool—[Applicant Name]