Mentoring FNP
Connects START scholarship recipients working in Poland with experienced FNP laureates and other experts to support career development through mentoring relationships.
Who is it for?
START scholarship recipients working in Poland
About the program
Mentoring FNP is an initiative of the Foundation for Polish Science that pairs young researchers awarded the START scholarship with more experienced laureates of FNP programs and other invited experts. The program aims to build mentoring relationships that support professional development, interpersonal skills and integration within the academic community.
Purpose of mentoring
- Support in making decisions about the next steps in one’s career.
- Development of skills useful in research and R&D environments (e.g., project management, team-building).
- Exploring new scientific fields or considering paths outside academia.
Who is it for?
The program is intended for young researchers who meet the Mentee eligibility: they received the START scholarship within 2 years before application and conduct research in Poland (employed at a research unit, a PhD candidate in Poland, or a graduate of a doctoral school within 12 months of receiving the degree).
Who are the Mentors?
Mentors are laureates of FNP programs and other persons invited by the Foundation; they need not be exclusively active researchers and may contribute experience from business, commercialization or management.
Format and course of the relationship
- Duration: typically 9–12 months.
- Number of meetings: from 4 to 10 mentoring sessions.
- The relationship takes place outside institutional hierarchies — it is voluntary, based on independence and open conversations, without elements of supervision or evaluation.
- Meetings can be held remotely, although in-person meetings are also recommended.
Support offered by the Foundation
- The Foundation may co-fund no more than two Mentor–Mentee meetings, reimbursing travel and accommodation costs related to participation in meetings within Poland.
- Participants have access to initial training in skills useful for mentoring relationships and support from an external expert who acts as a supervisor of the mentoring processes.
Cooperation procedure
Before the relationship begins, signing an agreement and preparing and submitting a cooperation plan to the Foundation are required. After the cycle ends, Mentor and Mentee prepare a brief summary of mentoring outcomes. The decision to qualify a mentoring pair for the program is made by the FNP Board; the pairing is initiated and accepted by the parties involved.
Program partner
The program partner is the FNP Scholars Club, which is involved in consulting the program’s assumptions, its promotion and analysis of outcomes.
Categories
Official website Back to country
Would you like to update or correct information about this mentoring program? Contact us.