Skip to main content

Get A Mentor

Mentor-Connect offers three types of no-cost mentoring to community colleges seeking to improve technician and related STEM education through projects funded by the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education Program (NSF ATE).

1. Cohort Mentoring

(Deadline: First Friday in November of each year)

Helps colleges or faculty who have never implemented a NSF ATE grant proposal

2. Second-Chance

(Deadline: First Friday of April)

Supports revision of proposals that were declined the first time a proposal was submitted in Track 1 or 2

3. Moving-Up

(Deadline: First Friday of March)

Helps colleges that received funding in Track 1 to develop larger ATE Project proposals. (Such proposals may advance the work of the previous project or pursue new goals for improving STEM Education) 

Cohort Mentoring Application Process

Step 1: Does your Institution Qualify?
Eligibility requirements for Cohort Mentoring applicants

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  •  Institutions or Faculty new to ATE are encouraged to submit in this track 
  • Colleges selected are expected to attend two, in-person workshops (Winter & Summer). The winter workshop is typically held at the end of January or the beginning of February. The summer workshop is typically held in conjunction with the High Impact Technology Exchange Conference. Travel support is provided for both workshops.
  • Colleges are expected to work with an assigned mentor beginning with the winter workshop through October of the same year as the ATE proposal submission date.
  • Colleges must identify a STEM faculty team prior to submission of an application. Teams are required to have two faculty members who teach in STEM disciplines and prepare technicians in advanced technology fields that drive the U.S. economy. Data and outcomes from past cohorts show that a campus-wide commitment to the teams make a huge difference in success. To ensure institution wide commitment to proposal submission success, administrators must be engaged. We encourage the involvement of a grant writer and administrator.

Step 2: View Our Orientation Webinar (Essential)
Orientation webinar for Cohort Mentoring applicants

This orientation webinar consists of two parts. The first is an overview of the NSF ATE program and the opportunity for small grant funding. The second part of the presentation explains the opportunities for help with grant funding through the Mentor-Connect program. The Orientation webinar is normally provided in September each year.

Access the Orientation Webinar, technical assistance webinars, and related resources.

Step 3: Additional Information
Additional information about NSF ATE mentoring
  • There is no cost to the institution
  • Encourages community colleges that have not had an ATE award, or faculty who are new to ATE. 
  • Stimulates implementation, adaptation, and innovation in ATE-supported areas with an emphasis on STEM/technician education
  • Encourages utilization of existing resources developed by ATE projects and centers
  • Addresses issues of interest in rural technician education
  • Funds budget maximum of $475K for up to 36 months
  • Seeks proposals via solicitation: NSF ATE Program Solicitation 

Step 4: Apply Now
Apply for the NSF ATE mentorship opportunity
Apply Now for the NSF ATE Mentorship Opportunity

Additional Mentoring Opportunities

In addition to the first time ATE grant proposal mentoring opportunity cohort mentoring, Mentor-Connect also offers “Second-Chance” and “Moving-Up” mentoring to help advance technician education at no-cost to participating colleges. Read below to see if your institution or 2-year community college may qualify for one of these opportunities.