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Polonium Mentoring

A global mentoring program connecting researchers and experts at various career stages through matched mentor–mentee pairs, offering career development support and international networking opportunities.

Who is it for?

Students, PhD candidates, and early-career researchers

About the program

Polonium Mentoring is an international mentoring program run by the Polonium Foundation that aims to support academic and professional career development through one‑to‑one, matched mentor–mentee relationships. The program has completed two editions: 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. Mentors include people who have built careers in academia or business and provide guidance tailored to the goals set by each pair.

How the program works

Matching process: mentor–mentee pairs are matched based on information from application forms; matching criteria include field of work, career path, location, skills, and other preferences.
Recruitment and platform: mentors are typically recruited first and their biographies are collected in the Polonium Network; mentee recruitment is then opened. Mentees may indicate preferred mentors, and final pairing is made by the Foundation's Mentoring Team.
Scale and format: the program operates globally — participants come from Poland and abroad. In addition to one‑to‑one meetings, informal integration and networking activities are organized, such as Coffee Mornings and Afternoon Teas.

Benefits for participants

For mentees: personalized support in career planning, help at key stages of professional development, and opportunities to form valuable international contacts.
For mentors: the chance to share experience and influence the development of junior colleagues, receive a certificate confirming participation as a mentor, and be eligible for nomination to Mentor of the Year (selected by mentees).
Additional benefits: promotion of mentoring volunteer work on the Foundation's social media and the possibility of free participation in one event organized by the Polonium Foundation (meetups, conferences).

Support and community

The program has benefited from external expert support — in particular Laurie Wessels contributed to providing training for mentors and mentees. The Foundation also expresses special thanks to the Spanish Scientists in the United Kingdom association for support in launching the program. Polonium Mentoring builds a wide international community of participants and is complemented by events and the Polonium Network.