MEiN

MEiN – Mentoring with Experts and international Networking – the Program

Summary

The scientific qualification path is still more difficult for women than for men because the characteristics, living situations and needs that are typical of men are considered to be the norm. Investing in equal opportunities for women and men in research helps teams to perform better and attract top-level researchers. The Mentoring with Experts and international Networking for Female Natural Scientists Program (MEiN) is designed to encourage young female natural scientists to develop an academic career.

MEiN is open for female doctoral students and post-docs working in collaborative research units at the University of Konstanz which are funded by the DFG.

MEiN enables young female researchers to make contact with renowned scientists. Young female scientists can visit internationally recognized scientists or invite them to their home lab. MEiN supports awareness regarding career possibilities.

MEiN aims for mentees to achieve international experience and to extend their professional network at an early stage of their career. Additionally, this initial stay may provide valuable contacts for further career planning such as finding potential collaboration partners or discovering new research subjects or studying additional methods in the lab. Role models, dos and don´ts in academia and intercultural skills will also be developed.

MEiN provides funding for travel and accommodation costs up to a maximum determined by the head of the collaborative research project.

1.     Information for mentees

MEiN offers funding for short-term stays (preferably abroad) up to 12 weeks. Travel and accommodation costs can be covered. The financial support is limited to a maximum that is determined by the head of the collaborative research unit.

First of all, the mentee should make contact with the program manager Dr. Anke Schwarzenberger/Dr. Sandra Weimer via email or phone. The program manager will discuss with the mentee the benefits and limits of the mentorship in order to figure out the best potential outcome. Together with the program manager the mentee will set her goals and suggest a mentor, considering scientific and career aspects. Afterwards, the mentee can turn in her application according to the application procedure.

It is highly recommended that the mentee attend a mentoring-associated workshop before the mentorship is starting. Topic of the workshop will be determination and assessment of the current professional situation as well as identifying needs to carry out the further career step.

If the selection of the mentee was successful, the mentee´s supervisor the or program manager will contact the mentor in order to find out whether he/she is willing to agree to the mentorship in general. The mentee and the mentor will reach an agreement regarding the goal settings and expected outcomes of this mentorship. A copy of the mentoring agreement will be sent to the program manager.

The mentee takes over the whole responsibility for the travel arrangements in collaboration with the administrative staff of the research unit.

After completion of the mentorship, the mentee will give a feedback either verbally or in writing to the program manager regarding the goal setting and the real outcome regarding her next career step.

2.     Application procedure

2.1. The first step for the mentee is to make contact to the program manager and may attend to the mentoring-associated workshop. The main objectives of the mentorship will be set by the mentee. The mentee suggests the mentor, taking scientific and career aspects into consideration. The mentor should be a renowned researcher abroad.
The goals of the mentorship must include scientific and career aspects.

Potential scientific aspects are:

• Learning new methods
• Discussing the own project
• Discovering new fields of science
• Collaborations and publications
• …

Potential career aspects are:

• Establishing an own professional network
• Discussing career aspects with the mentor
• Getting supported by the mentor (e.g. mentor can act as a referee after completion of the mentorship)
• Exploring job opportunities in academia
• …

2.2  Afterwards the mentee applies for this mentorship by handing in the application and the CV, if needful. Additionally, a letter of support of one PI is demanded. The head of the collaborative research unit will give the formal approval.

2.3  The mentee´s supervisor or the program manager will contact the potential mentor in order to find out whether he/she is willing to agree to the mentorship and the program manager will provide information about the program in detail.

2.4  The mentee and the mentor come to an agreement regarding the requirements and the goal setting which focuses on the professional development of the mentee. A copy will be sent to the program manager.

2.5  The mentee is responsible for travel arrangements in collaboration with the administrative staff of the collaborative research unit.

2.6  Upon completion of the mentorship, the mentee will be invited by the program manager to give a verbal feedback.

3.     Application form:

The application must include information as followed:

4.     Information for DFG-research units / PIs / Supervisors

The scientific qualification path is still more difficult for women than for men because the characteristics, living situations and needs that are typical of men are considered to be the norm. Investing in equal opportunities for women and men in research helps teams to perform better and attract top-level researchers.

The Mentoring with Experts and international Networking for Female Natural Scientists program (MEiN) is designed to encourage young female natural scientists to develop an academic career. MEiN enables young female researchers to make contact with renowned scientists. Young female scientists could visit internationally recognized scientists or invite them to their home lab. MEiN supports also awareness regarding career possibilities. MEiN aims for mentees to achieve preferably international experience and to extend their professional network at an early stage of their career. Additionally, this initial stay may provide valuable contacts for further career planning such as finding potential collaboration partners or discovering new research subjects or earning additional methods in the lab. Role models, dos and don´ts in academia and intercultural skills will also be developed.

The program is open for female doctoral students and post-docs of the collaborative research unit. It is easy to apply for the program. Mentees can get funding that covers travel and accommodation costs. The maximum amount is determined by the head of the collaborative research unit. Applicants make contact with the program manager and present their ideas and goals for the potential stay. The goals of the mentorship must include scientific and career aspects. The speaker of the collaborative research unit will give formal approval.

Potential scientific aspects are:

• Learning new methods
• Discussing the own project
• Discovering new fields of science
• Collaborations and publications
• …

Potential career aspects are:

• Improving the professional network
• Discussing career aspects with the mentor
• Getting supported by the mentor (e.g. mentor can act as a referee after completion of the mentorship)
• Exploring job opportunities in academia
• …

For application the mentee must add a short letter of support from one PI. The PI should outline that the mentee´s goal setting concerning scientific aspects are promising, effective and improve the scientific career of the mentee.

After acceptance of funding, the mentee and the mentor come to an agreement regarding the requirements and the goal setting which focuses on the professional development of the mentee. A copy will be sent to the program manager. Upon completion of the mentorship, the mentee will be invited by the program manager to give a verbal feedback.

For further information do not hesitate to contact the program manager.