Mentoring Program 2025 - Call for applications

As a mentee of the COMPASS Mentoring program you will be supported in your active and goal-oriented career development. A framework program is specifically tailored to career situations in science and science management. The experts running the program will guide you to find a fitting mentor for your individual concerns. Mentors can come from any field, academia as well as the private sector, public authorities or the non-profit sector. Furthermore,  you will have the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with others at various events.

Mentees have to invest time and energy in the mentee-mentor relationship and in the program and need a contract for ideally at least 12 months during the program period. If your contract is ending before, we would appreciate a short email from your PI that a contract extension is being considered. Please make sure that your leader/PI is informed about your application. The participation fee is covered by the GFZ budget, travel costs are expected to be paid by your section.

As a mentor you support the mentees with your experience and knowledge to take their next career steps.

What is a mentor?

Someone who passes on their professional knowledge or experiential knowledge. COMPASS mentors can come from all professional fields, e.g. private sector, public authorities, the non-profit sector, freelancers and more.

A mentor…

• invests time and attention for their mentee.
• engages with the mentee's concerns and contribute to their self-exploration.
• provides feedback on plans and goals, addresses risks and encourages the mentee to share their own experiences.
• shares their experiential knowledge and makes implicit knowledge transparent

The program intents the participation of the mentors in one online workshop and 3 - 6 meetings with their mentees.

Download the information sheet for COMPASS mentors HERE !

The program is open to a maximum of 24 participants. Four places are available for the GFZ. Applications for the 2025/2026 period open on September 2 and close on October 11. To apply for the programme you need to fill in an application form and answer some guiding questions in Lime Survey.

Please note: If your current contract ends during the program period, the extension of the contract must be intended by your leader.