Following our call for mentors, we now invite students and early‑career researchers to apply to become mentees.
Many students and early‑career researchers, face significant barriers to accessing structured academic mentoring. These include limited guidance in preparing letters of motivation, writing academic CVs, drafting and submitting scientific manuscripts, and preparing competitive grant applications. Many also have little opportunity to become familiar with internationally recognized academic norms and practices, and find it difficult to connect with researchers in their area.
These difficulties are often reinforced by:
- language barriers,
- lack of local academic networks,
- cultural differences in communication and academic expectations,
- limited access to experienced mentors,
- insufficient exposure to international research environments.
CIMPA mentoring program aims to build a sustainable mentoring ecosystem that connects students and young researchers with mentors who share their research area, region, and language. Mentoring based on scientific and regional proximity, shared language, and cultural understanding can significantly strengthen confidence, communication, and long-term academic success.
Becoming a mentee means having an experienced researcher by your side to offer advice, encouragement, and perspective as you build your career in the mathematical sciences.
Mentees as well as Mentors commit for one year, renewable by mutual agreement. Mentees meet virtually with their mentor for about one hour each month for scientific exchange, career guidance, and professional development. They may also ask their mentor for occasional feedback on manuscripts, CVs, applications, research proposals, and other professional materials. Mentees are encouraged to take an active role in the relationship by preparing for meetings, setting goals with their mentor, and joining online mentoring workshops and activities when possible.
When feasible, mentees are also encouraged to meet their mentor in person at a CIMPA event to strengthen the relationship, deepen scientific discussions, and connect with the broader CIMPA community.
The program is open to Master's students, PhD students, and early‑career researchers (within 5 years of their PhD) based in eligible countries/regions contained in the IMU-CDC list.
If you would like to take part in this initiative as a mentee, please fill out this webform before December 31.
In addition, a mentoring program dedicated to Africa is also open, run by PIMS (Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences) in collaboration with CIMPA. To apply to the PIMS program, please fill out the form at webform.
Applicants based in Africa are welcome to apply to both programs.