The GSCN Mentoring Program is a new project of the GSCN working group “Career Development”. The aim of the program is to support young scientists up to the level of young group leaders in their search for a career path that fits the personal visions, abilities and needs. During our careers in science, we often stand at crossroads, having to take tough decisions. This one-year-mentoring-program offers a one-of-a-kind chance to obtain orientation and guidance during the decision making process by established stem cell researchers in Germany and experts working outside academia in related fields such as industry, communication, or science management. Read more here.

Mentees united at the GSCN Conference in Jena 2024 - read their story here (full article in the GSCN Annual Magazine 2024):

• Mentees must be GSCN member at the time of application (application form here).
• Mentee and mentor will commit to the mentoring program for 1 year.
• Applicants must apply in written format stating why she/he wants to be part of the program.
• Accepted mentees are responsible for contacting the future mentor directly via email, and coordinate (1) the number of meetings, (2) the dates and (3) the content.
• At the end of the program, mentees must provide a short evaluation of the outcome of the mentoring process, via a questionnaire provided by the GSCN.
• By signing the GSCN Mentoring Agreement both mentee and mentor agree to commit time (3-5 meetings over the course of 1 year, preferably at least one in person) and effort to work together to achieve the mentee learning goals and objectives. 
• By signing the Mentoring Agreement both mentee and mentor agree to honour their mentee-mentor relationship, and to keep all information confidential.

Expenses of the GSCN Mentoring Program:

The GSCN Mentoring Program will be free of charge for the mentees. The GSCN will cover the costs for the semiannual meeting.

GSCN Ombudsperson:

In case of a conflict or misunderstanding between mentor and mentee, the GSCN central office will coordinate mediation of the situation by designating a mediator.

Start:
GSCN Conference, Sept. 2025 Munich

 
Who is not eligible?
Applicants taking parental leave, senior scientists, junior professors and independent group leaders cannot apply.

Application deadline is 31 May 2025 The application can only be submitted as E-Mail to office@gscn.org

The application includes:
- a motivation letter, why a participation in the GSCN Mentoring Program will be helpful in upcoming decisions
- a curriculum vitae
- a short description of the research, methods, interests
- a choice for a mentor from the GSCN Mentor List. Please include arguments why you want to work with this specific mentor.
⇒ please download the application form (PDF)

The GSCN Comitee will reply to your application at the beginning of July 2025.
The registration for the GSCN Conference (2025 in Munich) is mandatory, as there will be a first workshop as group of mentees with a coach and a first get-together with the mentors and the signing of the mentoring contract.

We recommend a participation in the non-PI-Meeting (2025 in Munich).