How to Become a Mentor through the 

Mentor Fellow Program 

Prospective Mentor Fellow Information

  • Qualifications

    • Experience working within the NSF ATE community of programs and funded projects
    • Experience writing or significantly contributing to the preparation of at least two successful ATE proposals
    • Three to five years of involvement with implementing an ATE center and/or project

  • Expectations

    • Availability to begin a Mentor Fellows Internship with the start of the new calendar year
    • Consistent shadowing of assigned Mentor for at least nine months, but no more than ten months during workshops (in person) and during work sessions with mentee teams (held virtually and typically no more than twice a month)
    • As appropriate, make contributions to mentoring of mentee teams in collaboration with assigned Mentor
    • Active participation during two Mentor Connect workshops: Winter Workshop (typically held one of the last two weeks in January or first week in February) and Summer Workshop (typically held in July in conjunction with the High Impact Technology Exchange (HI-TEC) Conference)
    • Evaluation input provided via focus groups, interviews, and/or surveys throughout the Mentor Fellows internship
    • Attendance or viewing/review of all technical assistance webinars and tutorials 
    • Follow Mentor-Connect guidelines for participation, expense reimbursement, and stipend request

  • Time Commitments

    • Explore, study, and understand Mentor-Connect resources, the NSF ATE proposal solicitation, and components of the PAPPG
    • Shadow a mentor at work with each of his/her mentee teams for at least thirty-six hours
    • Participate in at least thirty-six hours shadowing a Mentor at work with each of his/her mentee teams
    • Attend the three-day Mentor-Connect Winter Workshop
    • Attend the one-day Mentor-Connect Summer Workshop (participation in associated HI-TEC Conference encouraged but optional)
    • Attend Mentor-Connect technical assistance webinars (typically two or three live broadcast webinars per year); webinars last not more than an hour and a half
    • Review available Mentor-Connect webinar tutorials in lieu of or in addition to webinars

  • Benefits

    • Eligibility to serve as a Mentor-Connect Mentor
    • A stipend of $1,500 for successful completion of the Mentor Fellows Internship
    • Travel reimbursement to attend two Mentor-Connect workshops
    • In-depth proposal development instruction and review experience that enhances grant-writing, leadership, and mentoring skills
    • A unique opportunity to give back to the ATE community
    • Development of a broader colleague network within the ATE Community

  • Additional Notes

    • The timing for engagement with Mentor-Connect as a Mentor is dependent on the number of new Mentors needed in a given year.
    • Returning Mentors are generally given priority when filling Mentor positions each year. However, a systematic rotation of Mentors to other Mentor-Connect mentoring opportunities along with natural attrition creates openings each year.
    • An average of three individuals are selected each year as Mentor Fellows (number may fluctuate depending on the anticipated needs of the Mentor-Connect project).

Part 1

Apply to be a Mentor Fellow (Deadline by the first Friday of November each year)

Due Date Clarification

While the preferred due date for submissions is the first Friday in November, we understand that some printed documents referenced different dates (such as the second Thursday or second Friday). To avoid confusion and ensure flexibility, we will accept submissions through November 14.

The pathway to becoming a Mentor-Connect Mentor is to successfully complete a Mentor Fellows “internship." The Mentor Fellows internship is an activity of the Mentor-Connect: Leadership Development and Outreach for ATE project. The internship prepares new Mentors to help new-to-ATE college faculty learn to prepare competitive ATE grant proposals and grow as leaders. Individuals with grant writing and project implementation experience with the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE) Program may apply to become a Mentor Fellow.

Prior to completing this application, interested applicants should:

Prepare to Apply

  • 1. Download

    Download the PDF of the “Mentor Fellows” application. Using the PDF of the electronic application as a guide, complete your responses to the questions. If needed, transfer your responses to Part 1, “Mentor Fellows,” electronic application.

    *Note: The electronic application cannot be saved and must be completed once started.

  • 2. Complete

    Complete Part 1 of the “Mentor Fellows,” electronic application.

  • 3. Upload

    Upload all the required supporting documents using the Part 2 submittal form below. If you have trouble uploading your documents, you may email them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

    Example: Submit only your CV/résumé. Then submit the completed form again with your recommendation/reference letter.

Important: All applicants must submit the Mentor Fellows Part 1 Application Form, his or her CV/résumé, and a recommendation/reference letter from an ATE PI or Co-PI familiar with the applicant's work.

Part 1 and Part 2 must be submitted by the first Friday in November of each year for your application to be considered complete.

Part 2

After completing Part 1 of your application, please upload all the required material below. If you have trouble uploading your documents, you may email supporting documents to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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