The Delft Young Academy (DYA) is envisioned to be a platform for the development of academic leadership of and cooperation between early career researchers. Future leaders of TU Delft should be prepared and capable to think beyond the borders of their own discipline and faculty. DYA can prepare early career researcher for their future roles. DYA helps to build a university wide network of scientists. Additionally, DYA helps to build a network of external stakeholders (e.g. KNAW, NWO, OCW). This allows members more opportunities to influence university, national or even international academic policy. In Delft the goals of the Young Academy are: - Spark dialogue and cooperation between disciplines and faculties - Facilitate that early career academics develop a vision on academic policy and have a voice - Support the professional development of early career academics - Connect science, technology and design with society. At most universities, membership of the Young Academy is reserved for a selected few. In Delft we decided on a different, more inclusive approach. DYA will be a platform with involved members and an active board. To poll the enthusiasm of the DYA community, we organized an event for the community in November 2021. The first DYA board was appointed on February 15th 2022. This board represents the community of early career academics at TU Delft. The board will take a rotating form to ensure continuity and alternation. The members of the first board are: Dr. Darinka Czischke Dr. Delphine De Tavernier Dr. Juan Manuel Duran Dr. Jazmin Zatarain Salazar Dr. Cees Haringa Dr. Gerwin Smit Dr. Mariet Sauerwein Dr. Sid Kumar Dr. Michael Weinmann Dr. Angelo Accardo Dr. Francesco Avallone