Mentorship Programme for Early Career Researchers
Mentorship Programme for Early Career Researchers
- Are you an early career researcher feeling uncertain about your next steps?
- Looking to boost your research profile and gain clarity in your career?
- Want structured mentorship and practical insights beyond your academic circle?
Our mentorship programme is a unique 5-month programme that supports the professional development, research excellence, and career planning of PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and junior faculty members.
We combine personalised mentorship, skills development workshops, practical study visits, and peer networking, giving researchers the tools, guidance, and confidence they need to succeed in academia, and beyond!
Our hybrid programme is primarily designed for PhD students, postdocs, and junior faculty
- Price: 60k HUF, ~€ 145
INFO SESSION - ONLINE - INFO SESSION - ONLINE - INFO SESSION
Online Info Session:
10 January 2025, 6pm
What's in it for you?
workshops & seminars
16
hrs
personalised mentoring
hrs
practical study visits
12
hrs
In partnership with:
PROGRAMME - HIGHLIGHTS - PROGRAMME - HIGHLIGHTS - PROGRAMME
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
Tailored for Early Career Researchers
This programme complements academic supervision by offering career-focused support for emerging researchers and future leaders.
Personalised mentorship (1:1)
Receive personalised mentoring from experienced researchers and professionals across sectors to gain tailored career guidance, clarity, and broader perspective.
Skills Development Workshops
Develop hard and soft skills from a balanced mix of research-specific (hard) skills and transferable (soft) skills, including career planning.
Study visits for Practical Exposure
Gain practical exposure through visits to research institutions, industry labs, innovation hubs, and conferences that expose you to diverse career paths.
Cohort size
16-20 people
We keep the group intentionally small to create a focused and supportive learning environment, allowing for deeper connection with mentors, trainers, and peers.
Networking & Community Building
Build meaningful professional relationships across disciplines and connect with a growing community of early career researchers committed to mutual support and growth.
TWO - TRACKS - TWO - TRACKS - TWO - TRACKS - TWO - TRACKS
Chose between
two
tracks
Click to discover more.
Tap to discover more.
MENTORS - MENTORS - MENTORS - MENTORS - MENTORS
Learn from those with experience...
Track: Diplomacy &
International Affairs
International Affairs
Track: Diplomacy &
International Affairs
International Affairs
Track: Diplomacy &
International Affairs
International Affairs
Track: Diplomacy &
International Affairs
International Affairs
Track: Diplomacy &
International Affairs
International Affairs
Track: Civil Society &
Public Administration
Public Administration
Track: Civil Society &
Public Administration
Public Administration
Track: Diplomacy &
International Affairs
International Affairs
Track: Civil Society &
Public Administration
Public Administration
Track: Civil Society &
Public Administration
Public Administration
Track: Civil Society &
Public Administration
Public Administration
Ready to join? - Ready to join? - Ready to join? - Ready to join?
Timeline - Timeline - Timeline - Timeline - Timeline
Note: The final detailed schedule will be shared when the programme is officially launched.
Session Dates
5/5
Our programme uniquely combines topics and sessions to complement personalised mentoring engagements.
WORKSHOP TOPICS - WORKSHOP TOPICS - WORKSHOP TOPICS
Our programme includes 20 contact hours of training and workshops, covering the following topics:
Setting the stage
After the orientation session, we set the stage for a meaningful experience throughout the programme by covering the following areas:
- Ice-breakers
- Self-awareness
- Goal setting and refinement
- Leadership skills
sOFT SKILLS
Participants would have the opportunity to develop the following soft skills:
- Presentation skills
- Science communication
- Networking skills
- Mental Health & Wellbeing in Academia
Hard skills
Participants would have the opportunity to develop the following hard skills:
- AI Tools for Researchers (e.g. for writing, literature search, data analysis)
Research project planning
- Grant Writing & Funding Strategies
- Science Innovation – Turning Research into Business
- Research ethics & integrity
Open science practices
- Policymaking processes
Project and time management
- Leadership skills
Career toolkit
To support the career planning for all participants, and help bring everything learnt from this programme together, we will also cover:
- CV writing
- LinkedIn optimisation
- Interview skills
- Personal Branding for Researchers
?
Still have questions? The contact us:
mentorship[at]gilefoundation.org
TESTIMONIALS - TESTIMONIALS - TESTIMONIALS
Hear from our previous participants
" I found the Mentorship Programme well-suited for a BA student like myself, providing adequate guidance in the beginning steps of my career journey. It helped broaden my connections and gave me valuable practical insights that made me feel more at ease with networking in the diplomatic field. This was mainly thanks to my mentor, Alex Boehm, who was approachable and easy to connect with, while consistently offering helpful guidance."
Sára Remetei (Hungary)BA Student 
"The GiLE Mentoring Programme helped me to understand my interest in diplomacy, to network in diplomacy, and to broaden my horizons on how to carry out different operations. Especially the visit to the Belgian Embassy which was very productive for me. I would like to thank my dear mentor, Kader Yahia, because he gave me very valuable knowledge and helped me plan my career in diplomacy. I am very happy to be a part of this programme."
Yaren Varol (Turkey)PhD Student in Hungary 
" I found the Mentorship Programme well-suited for a BA student like myself, providing adequate guidance in the beginning steps of my career journey. It helped broaden my connections and gave me valuable practical insights that made me feel more at ease with networking in the diplomatic field. This was mainly thanks to my mentor, Alex Boehm, who was approachable and easy to connect with, while consistently offering helpful guidance."
Sára Remetei (Hungary)BA Student
"The GiLE Mentoring Programme helped me to understand my interest in diplomacy, to network in diplomacy, and to broaden my horizons on how to carry out different operations. Especially the visit to the Belgian Embassy which was very productive for me. I would like to thank my dear mentor, Kader Yahia, because he gave me very valuable knowledge and helped me plan my career in diplomacy. I am very happy to be a part of this programme."
Yaren Varol (Turkey)PhD Student in Hungary
REGISTER - REGISTER - REGISTER - REGISTER - REGISTER - REGISTER
Register your interest
Are you interested to know more about our upcoming mentorship programmes?
Then register your interest and we will contact you when we are ready to promote our next cohort!
?
Our Spring 2025 cohort is already under way, but you can register your interest for our next cohort here.
FAQs - FAQs - FAQs - FAQs - FAQs - FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
Our FAQs below cover the following topic areas:
General Information
The Mentorship Programme for Public Service is a 4-month initiative designed to prepare young adults aged 18-35 for impactful careers in civil society, diplomacy, and public service. The programme provides mentorship, workshops, and practical experiences to equip participants with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
Participants can expect in-person activities bi-weekly with a time commitment of 3-6 hours per week.
The programme will be conducted entirely in English.
The programme is open to young adults aged 18-35 who are interested in pursuing careers in civil society, public service, diplomacy, or related fields. Applicants should have a strong commitment to upholding democratic values and creating positive social impact.
A background in public service or diplomacy is not required. The programme is open to anyone with a strong interest in these fields and a commitment to learning and making an impact.
The programme runs from February 1st to May 2025. Specific events and activities are scheduled throughout this period, including workshops, mentor engagement weeks, study visits, and social events.
The programme activities take place in various locations In Budapest, including workshops, study visits to NGOs, embassies, and international organizations, as well as a trip to the UN Vienna HQ.
Yes, the fee for the programme is 60,000 HUF.
Yes, participants who successfully complete the programme will receive a certificate of participation.
Programme Structure and Content
The programme includes:
- Workshops on leadership, communication, and networking skills.
- Mentor-led engagement weeks.
- Study visits to established NGOs, embassies, and international organisations.
- A visit to the United Nations Headquarters in Vienna.
- A final presentation and closing ceremony.
Workshops cover a range of topics including self-awareness, goal setting, leadership skills, effective altruism, cultural diplomacy, diplomatic protocol, communication skills, and career development.
The workshops combine both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. They are designed to provide participants with actionable insights and tools they can apply in their careers.
Study visits offer hands-on exposure to the inner workings of NGOs, embassies, municipalities, and international organisations. They provide a unique opportunity to observe and interact with professionals in these settings, gaining insights into their daily operations and challenges.
Study visits are tailored to align with the programme’s tracks—Diplomacy/International Affairs and Civic Engagement. Depending on your chosen track, you will visit organisations and institutions relevant to your career aspirations, providing you with direct exposure and networking opportunities.
Mentor Engagement Process
Mentors are experienced professionals from various sectors, including civil society, public service, and international relations. They provide guidance, share their experiences, and support participants in their career development.
Mentors are matched with participants based on their areas of expertise and the participant’s career goals and interests. This ensures that the mentorship experience is relevant and beneficial to the mentee’s professional development.
While we try to accommodate participants’ preferences, mentor assignments are primarily based on the best possible match between the mentor’s expertise and the mentee’s career aspirations.
If you feel that your mentor is not a good fit, you can discuss your concerns with the programme coordinators. We aim to ensure a productive and positive mentorship experience for all participants, and adjustments can be made if necessary.
Mentors provide personalised support, helping you bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application. They assist in setting goals, offer insights into career paths, and help develop the skills necessary for success in public service and diplomacy.
Mentor engagement weeks occur regularly throughout the programme. During these weeks, participants are expected to interact with their mentors through scheduled meetings, discussions, and other activities. Engagement is subject to agreement between mentor and mentee regarding time and location.
Mentor engagement weeks are a key component of the programme. If you foresee any scheduling conflicts, please discuss them with your mentor and the programme coordinators in advance to find a suitable solution.
Commitment and Expectations
Participants are expected to attend all scheduled events, workshops, and study visits. Additionally, they should engage with their mentors during the designated mentor engagement weeks. Participants may expect in-person activities bi-weekly with a time commitment of 3-6 hours.
Yes, attendance is mandatory for all programme events, as each component is crucial for the overall learning experience.
Participants are expected to attend all events. If there is an unavoidable conflict, you should inform the programme coordinators in advance. However, consistent attendance is strongly encouraged.
Yes, the programme is designed to accommodate participants who may have full-time commitments. However, you must be able to attend the scheduled events and engage with your mentor during the designated weeks.
Career Impact and Networking
The programme is designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills, and connections to advance your career in public service or diplomacy. While it does not guarantee job placement, it equips you with the tools and confidence to pursue your career goals effectively.
Through mentor interactions, study visits, and networking events, the programme provides access to a wide network of professionals in public service, civil society, and diplomacy. Participants will have the chance to connect with mentors, industry experts, and peers, expanding their professional network significantly.
