Mentoring for female scientists: starting signal for new programs!

Mentoring for female scientists: starting signal for new programs!

The TEAMWORKScience mentoring program German Sports University Cologne aims to specifically promote young female scientists in sports science disciplines. The initiatives come in the context of growing interest in mentoring opportunities for young talent. Scientists in the doctoral phase or just before can benefit from the extensive offering, which includes further training, personal development and support from experienced mentors.

The next TEAMWORKScience mentoring cohort begins with a kick-off event in February 2026. The program extends over a period of 19 months and offers participants valuable insights into the structures and processes of science. In addition, the focus is on career planning, expanding scientific skills and building networks.

Application details and deadlines

Applications for the 2026/27 program year are now possible. Interested parties have until December 31, 2025 to submit their documents. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Bianca Biallas, equal opportunities officer, and Dr. Theresa Hoppe, speaker, is available. Further information is available in the accompanying flyer.

Another significant mentoring program is Women Forward, which will be offered again in 2025. Loud Alumni portal Germany This program aims to promote exchange between young scientists and established scientists in the Humboldt network. Mentees receive valuable support, especially at crucial points in their academic careers. The program runs from April to November 2025 and, in addition to the assignment of mentors, also offers three accompanying virtual events.

Broad network for female scientists

Mentoring programs play a crucial role in supporting female scientists and are becoming increasingly popular in Germany. How Education server reports, many of these programs also take female students and career paths outside of academia into account. Initiatives such as Leibniz Mentoring support female researchers with doctorates on their way to leadership positions and professorships.

Forum Mentoring e.V. is a non-profit association that brings together nationwide university mentoring programs and offers a variety of search functions for target groups, cities and federal states. In addition, numerous other programs support women in science and research, including Fraunhofer Talenta, the Baden-Württemberg Mentoring Network and many others, which aim to advance the professionalization of mentoring measures.

Programs such as the MLU mentoring program at the University of Halle-Wittenberg, the COMETiN@GraduateAcademy at the University of Magdeburg and numerous initiatives located throughout Germany offer important support to accompany young female scientists on their career path.

In summary, it can be said that the variety of mentoring programs not only promotes the individual development of the participants, but also contributes to the creation of a strong and connected network in science.