Mentoring Programme
Applications are now open for the pilot Royal Society of Biology Mentoring Programme, launching in 2027.
This programme has been designed to support the professional development of early-career bioscientists while developing mentoring and leadership capability among experienced professionals. Through a structured seven-month partnership, mentors and mentees will have the opportunity to build a valuable professional relationship, explore challenges and opportunities, and learn from different perspectives.
Mentees will be matched with experienced bioscience professionals who can provide support, challenge, and insight as they navigate their career development. Whether you are looking to build confidence, explore career options, develop leadership skills, expand your professional network, or gain a fresh perspective, mentoring can provide a dedicated space for reflection and growth.
Mentors will have the opportunity to share their experience and support the development of early-career professionals, gaining new perspectives from them while strengthening their own mentoring and leadership skills. Participating mentors will also have the opportunity to engage in peer-to-peer mentoring with fellow senior professionals.
The pilot cohort will be small to ensure participants receive appropriate support, and we expect demand to be high. We encourage interested RSB members to apply, but if you are not selected this year, we hope to expand the programme and provide further opportunities to participate in future rounds.
Applications close on 19 October 2026 . We welcome applications from eligible RSB members across the breadth of the biosciences sector and look forward to supporting a diverse cohort of mentors and mentees.
The pilot programme is open to RSB members aged 18 or over who reside in the UK.
Mentees must be a paying associate (AMRSB) or member (MRSB) of the Society, and mentors must be a member (MRSB) or Fellow (FRSB).
Applications will be assessed against essential and desired attributes, including an applicant's ability to commit to the programme, as outlined in the Application Guidance. We want to ensure a spread of expertise, sector representation, and preferences in order to be able to offer as wide a range of mentors as possible.
Please ensure you have read the Application Guidance before applying for this programme.
Mentees should apply using the Mentee Application Form.
Mentors should apply using the Mentor Application Form.
You must complete your application, and submit the form and an up-to-date CV by email to careers@rsb.org.uk by 17:00 (GMT, London time) on 19 October 2026.
If a high volume of applications is received, a subset of applicants will be selected at random by ballot before being reviewed by the Careers team. This is to ensure fair assignment of the limited places on the pilot. Please only submit one application per person.
You will be notified by early November if your application was successful, and invited to an introductory call with the Careers team. If you are unsuccessful this year, we encourage you to apply again in future rounds.
Please contact careers@rsb.org.uk if you have any queries.
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