What is Mentor Fellows?

The Mentor Fellows internship program is an activity of the Mentor-Connect: Leadership Development and Outreach for ATE-2 project (DUE #1840856).

The Mentor Fellows internship prepares new mentors to help new-to-ATE college faculty learn to develop competitive ATE grant proposals and grow as leaders.

Mentor Fellows also supports a purposeful turnover of mentors over time. Previous mentors transition to become special-purpose Mentors for other aspects of mentoring within the Mentor-Connect project.

Mentor Fellows facilitates the involvement of more members of the ATE Community, promotes an infusion of new ideas, and engages new talent for this vital work.

Do you Qualify?

WHO: The application is designed for ATE PIs or grant personnel with grant writing experience. Fellows should have experience writing or significantly contributing to a minimum of 2 successful ATE proposals and 3-5 years’ experience directing and/or implementing successful ATE projects as a PI, Co-PI and/or Project Director/Manager.

WHAT: Mentor Fellows engage in a year-long shadowing and learning experience with experienced Mentors and the Mentor-Connect Project to prepare to serve as a Mentor-Connect mentor.

WHEN: Applications are currently available at www.Mentor-Connect.org. The application deadline is September 25, 2020.  

The Mentor Fellows program begins upon notification and continues through the ATE proposal deadline in October 2021.

WHERE: In-person at two workshops and virtually.

Mentor Fellows are required to:

• attend two workshops in-person workshops: winter and summer workshops (*Note: either in-person or virtually depending on CDC COVID-19 regulations.) Faculty travel is provided for both workshops.
• shadow mentors
• interact bi-monthly with Mentor-Connect PI
• technical assistance webinars
• study Mentor-Connect resources, the NSF ATE proposal solicitation, and components of the PAPPG

Additional Information: Colleges are also expected to work with an assigned Mentor from the winter workshop through the October 2021 ATE proposal submission date. Mentors have extensive experience in STEM disciplines, preparing NSF grant proposals, and managing ATE awards. Mentors will be on-hand to provide guidance and feedback throughout the grant development process.

WHY: Mentor Fellows have a unique opportunity to learn how to help new-to-ATE, two-year colleges develop competitive ATE proposals. The experience also prepares Fellows to give back to the ATE program by becoming new Mentor-Connect mentors. Mentor Fellows also strengthen their own grant-writing, mentoring, and leadership skills by attending Mentor-Connect training and observing mentoring being provided by other experienced ATE PIs.

HOW:  Part 1 (application) and Part 2 (supporting documents, i.e. applicant's resume and recommendations/reference letters from at least two ATE PIs or Co-PIs familiar with the applicant and his or her work) should be submitted electronically via www.mentor-connect.org.

For more information, call 843-676-8541.