Microbiome Science Certificate Program for workforce development and multi-omics expertise

Microbiome research is a dynamic, rapidly growing, and interdisciplinary field that generates valuable insights across the human health, agricultural, and environmental sectors. Despite this growth, gaps remain in educational content and professional development opportunities specifically tailored for microbiome science rather than traditional microbiology. The National Microbiome Data Collaborative (NMDC) has developed a Microbiome Science Certificate Program aimed at undergraduates but available to any learner or researcher interested in this field. The curriculum includes 12 modules to further technical knowledge, as well as practical and professional skills. The modules each include prepared slide decks, recorded lectures, resource documents, expert interviews, reading assignments, knowledge assessments, and an overall glossary. The modular content can be readily applied within the classroom as a stand-alone semester-long course or as supplementary to existing curricula. An asynchronous, online, certificate-granting implementation of the content is available through the American Society for Microbiology. We have outlined future laboratory, workforce development, and data science "mini-modules" that can be further developed with the help of educators. Improvements will be made to the program content based on feedback from learners and educators. This program aims to promote practical skills to empower the next generation of microbiome researchers.