Timing
Global Talent Mentoring starts a new mentoring cycle each year in the second half of April. The program enrolls mentees in a process comprising four steps.
Step 1: Nomination and Application of Students
Global Talent Mentoring works with its dedicated partners from all over the world to identify and nominate the most promising mentee candidates. After partners have nominated mentee candidates, the candidates will be invited to apply for mentee participation spots in Global Talent Mentoring by completing our comprehensive online application.
Step 2: Mentee Selection
For each participating region or partner, final mentee participants will be selected based on their applications and how well they fulfill the required criteria. Our selection procedure considers three main aspects for each student: a track record of outstanding achievements in a specific STEMM field, motivation and passion to pursue talent development in a specific area of STEMM, and adequate English competency.
Step 3: Matching and Preparation
When applying, both mentees and mentors will be asked to list their preferred STEMM field(s). This will serve as one of the key factors for matching. Global Talent Mentoring is dedicated to matching each mentee with a mentor who has relevant knowledge about one or more of their fields of interest and will be able to provide the necessary support in their development. After matching, Global Talent Mentoring prepares both mentees and mentors for their participation with specialized briefings.
Step 4: Start of Mentoring
The mentoring process is designed to encourage a long-term relationship between mentee and mentor (ideally over several years). Mentees are supported by mentors in their field(s) of interest. Mentees formulate individual learning pathways, collaborate on projects, receive expert guidance from their personal mentors, and network with the other mentees and mentors on our platform based on mutual STEMM interests. Mentees also benefit from the use of training materials that Global Talent Mentoring offers. The training units provide direction on topics such as goal setting, aligning expectations, and cross-cultural communication. Training units are also available for mentors.
Global Talent Mentoring regularly monitors the activity of mentee–mentor pairs, called dyads, and offers support to address any challenges that might hamper fruitful cooperation. Support can include personal consultation with one of our program representatives or mediation between parties.
The learning pathways, their goals, and the achievement of those goals are also regularly assessed, with adaptations being implemented as needed. Similarly, the mentoring process will be regularly assessed and adapted, if necessary (e.g., after a change of specialization by the mentee). Additionally, feedback from mentees and mentors about their experiences is used to continually enhance the program.
Mentors join Global Talent Mentoring mainly through our partners, but interested STEMM experts are always welcome to volunteer on an individual basis. Those interested in mentoring should fill out and submit our online Mentor Volunteer Form. Global Talent Mentoring will then vet interested individuals. Once the vetting process has been completed, those interested individuals will be accepted as mentors and can be matched with mentees (subject to availability).