Mentorship Program

About the Program

The goal of this program is to provide younger scientists (newly independent scientists or late stage post‐doctoral fellows) with high quality mentoring by a senior scientist within mucosal immunology. The mentorship will formally last two years and is intended to assist the mentees in the development of their independent scientific programs on all levels, including, for example, grant writing and networking. Click here to apply!

Although many universities and institutes have formal mentoring programs, it may be difficult for faculty at smaller or specialized settings to find a mentor with mucosal immunology expertise. External mentoring, outside of the mentee’s institution, will promote networking opportunities. This setup also allows for the discussion of topics that the mentee may not be comfortable having with his/her peers. Guidance and support through this program will allow for the mentee’s successful career and professional advancement in mucosal immunology.

It is expected that each mentee‐mentor pair will establish their own unique relationship. However, a successful SMI Mentoring Program pairing will entail some aspects of grant reviewing, manuscript reviewing and invitation of the mentee for a research seminar.

• The program will provide up to $1,000 travel money to support the mentee’s travel to the mentor’s institution. It is expected these trips will be used for scientific exchange, including informal and formal presentations and grant revision.
• During the program, mentees and mentors will be expected to attend the biennial ICMI event. Registration fees will be paid by SMI for both the mentee and mentor; the mentee and mentor are responsible for other costs associated with attendance. The mentees will present short talks in a SMI Mentoring Program panel. Mentors and mentees will also have an event to network with each other.
• A yearly evaluation will be performed by both the mentee and the mentor and submitted to the SMI Mentoring Program Committee.

Mentor Selection

In pairing a mentee and a mentor several elements will be considered, the most important being familiarity with the main scientific funding organizations of the mentee including grant formats and scientific review panels. Other factors include general geographic area and field of interest. The program will allow applicants to propose up to three mentors for consideration of the SMI Mentoring Program Committee. Prior employment of the mentee by the mentor is not allowed.

Qualifications

Mentees will be newly independent investigators within 5 years of their first independent appointment at a new research institution. Senior post-doctoral fellows (at least 2 years of postdoctoral training at the time of application) or Scientists with other titles (i.e. Research Assistant Professor or Instructor) who may not have independent labs, but are in a similar career stage, are also welcome to apply. Applicants must be SMI members in good standing.

Application

SMI will accept applications for the 2024-2026 mentoring cohort beginning in December through the application deadline on March 1, 2024. All applicants will be contacted on, or before April 1, 2024 with final decisions. A current SMI membership is a prerequisite for this program. Materials for application include the following:

• Ranked list of three potential mentors with their institution and contact information
• Statement on what you hope to gain from participating in the program (750-word limit)
• Current CV
• Submitted application—apply here

Testimonials

"SMI gave me the privilege of being mentored in science and career perspectives during a very important period in my career. In this time, I was developing my new and independent niche of research and getting funding. The support I have received from my mentor was truly excellent, valuable and helped me succeed in the goals I wanted to achieve." 

Pairings