This programme is designed for PhD students, postdocs, and faculty staff to empower them with tools and expert guidance for a successful careers in academia and beyond. It combines personalised mentorship, skills development, practical study visits, and peer networking.
If you interested in this programme, then register your interest to be notified when we re-launch this opportunity.
Behind the passion for research, many early-career researchers face several challenges:
Tamás Novák, PhD
Mentorship programmes are a highly effective way to help students and young professionals develop both hard and soft skills in addition to their professional knowledge.
This particular programme is especially well designed—it even includes mentoring for the mentors themselves, which is essential for improving the quality of guidance provided.
What I’m especially proud of is that this mentorship programme was built from scratch. Over time, it has become finely tuned to the needs of students, thanks to participant feedback being actively considered.
I highly recommend it to prospective mentors and mentees alike.
This programme complements academic supervision as we explore diverse career paths and set actionable goals for your professional journey.
Receive personalised mentoring from experienced researchers and professionals across sectors to gain tailored career guidance, clarity, and broader perspective.
Develop hard and soft skills from a balanced mix of research-specific (hard) skills and transferable (soft) skills, including career planning.
Gain practical exposure through visits to research institutions, industry labs, innovation hubs, and conferences that expose you to diverse career paths.
We keep the group intentionally small to create a focused and supportive learning environment, allowing for deeper connection with mentors, trainers, and peers.
Build meaningful professional relationships across disciplines and connect with a growing community of early career researchers committed to mutual support and growth.
Our programme includes 20+ contact hours of training and workshops, covering the following topics:
Research project planning
Open science practices
Project and time management
Still have questions?
Then contact us:
The programme is open to master’s students, doctoral candidates, and early-stage postdoctoral researchers from all academic disciplines who are seeking to strengthen their professional development and career planning.
Participants should allocate approximately 3 to 6 hours per week. This includes individual mentoring sessions, preparatory work, and optional group-based engagements.
The programme follows a hybrid model. While the majority of group activities will take place in person in Budapest, mentoring sessions may be conducted online or in person, depending on the mentor–mentee pairing and their availability. The format is designed to provide flexibility while fostering in-person engagement where possible.
The total participation fee includes:
– Tailored one-on-one mentoring
– Access to thematic training sessions
– Programme materials and resources
– Participation in virtual group activities
– Completion certificate issued by the GILE Foundation, and
– Depending, catering costs
Mentors are carefully matched to participants based on disciplinary interests, career objectives, and professional background. Applicants may indicate specific areas of focus during the registration process.
Yes, a certificate of participation will be awarded upon successful completion of programme requirements.
Participants can expect to develop a clear research or career action plan, improve academic communication skills, explore publishing strategies, and expand their professional network.
Registering interest means you are indicating your desire to receive more information about the programme. Applying means submitting the full application form and required documents to be considered for selection.
Upon registering interest, applicants will receive a confirmation email. The programme team will follow up within five business days with information on the next steps, including an outline of the selection process and timeline.
At present, no scholarships or fee waivers are available. However, we encourage applicants to explore funding through their universities or academic mobility grants.
Yes, the programme is designed to be flexible and compatible with study, research, or part-time work schedules.
A mentor supports your professional development, helps you navigate career challenges, and shares practical advice based on experience. An academic supervisor, on the other hand, primarily guides your academic research and thesis work. The mentor is a complement—not a replacement—for your academic supervisor.
[1] Find your track. [2] Join our online info session. [3] Apply!
This track provides aspiring diplomats and those interested in international public servants with in-depth knowledge and practical skills essential for a successful career in international relations. Participants will engage in workshops on diplomatic protocol, cultural diplomacy, and science diplomacy, alongside visits to embassies and relevant international organisations. These activities offer hands-on experience and insights into diplomatic practices and international development, helping participants develop the necessary skills and network to excel within international organisations.
Aspiring diplomats – International relations enthusiasts interested in careers in diplomacy, international development, and global cooperation.
International public servants – Students and young professionals interested in pursuing a career at an international organisation like the United Nations, UNESCO, UNHCR, or UNICEF, for example, without necessarily wanting to be a diplomat (i.e. remaining independent of any single nation’s government). Interests may include advancing global peace, international development, and human rights.
[1] Find your track. [2] Join our online info session. [3] Apply!
This track equips aspiring public servants and NGO leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary for impactful community work. Participants will attend workshops on introduction to nonprofit management and civic engagement, effective altruism, social innovation, design thinking, community engagement, and fundraising. Additionally, visits to local NGOs and municipalities will provide practical insights into the functioning and challenges of civic organizations. This track aims to foster effective leadership and innovative thinking in addressing social issues.
(Aspiring) public servants – Students and young professionals who work, or aspire to work, in government departments or local municipalities in their country, and who seek to enhance their skills, network, effectiveness in public administration and ability to improve their communities.
(Aspiring) non-profit founders – Passionate individuals interested in creating and leading non-profit organisations focused on addressing social and environmental issues.
Young changemakers and community organisers – Young leaders dedicated to mobilising communities and fostering grassroots movements to drive social change. This includes environmental advocates committed to promoting sustainable practices and policies to combat environmental issues.
The following roles are currently available:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The following roles are currently available:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The following roles are currently available:
The role consists of:
Produce written or verbal content that is clear and persuasive for our target audience for various platforms in a way that is consistent with our brand strategy and voice (articles, blogs, podcasts, newsletter texts, etc.).
Assist with the development of creative ideas and concepts for advertising, social
media, or crowdfunding campaigns.
Help drive brand consistency across all communication platforms
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications required, however, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements: