Inequality in STEAM education is an endemic challenge that later extends into the professional field, including in research careers. This leads to critical issues, such as diminishing the potential for innovation, slowing scientific progress, and limiting economic growth by failing to fully utilize the potential of all individuals. Closing this gap is essential to fostering equality and maximizing contributions to scientific and social advancements.

The EELISA Mentorship Programme is a new initiative aiming to improve equity, diversity, and inclusion across the EELISA Alliance. The first edition of the programme was launched in February 2026 and it builds on the mentoring initiatives already implemented across EELISA universities, bringing together shared expertise and insights gained from existing institutional schemes.

Departing from an intersectional approach that explicitly addresses all forms of inequality, the EELISA Mentorship Programme combines group trainings and one-on-one mentorship sessions with senior researchers who have an established academic career and are committed to fostering equality, diversity, and safe learning environments.

The goal of this initiative is to support PhD candidates in navigating academic careers, create safe spaces for dialogue and mutual learning, as well as to promote inclusiveness by addressing the systemic barriers faced by underrepresented categories of young researchers. It also aims to  build a long-term, cross-institutional EELISA mentoring community that connects EELISA universities in a shared commitment to inclusive academic cultures.

The programme is open to PhD candidates from any discipline who are enrolled at any EELISA institution and seeks to make academia a safer, fairer, and more supportive environment for all researchers.

For more information, please contact the EELISA Mentorship Programme coordinators at mentorship@eelisa.eu.

CHECK PAST PARTICIPANT´S TESTIMONIALS
Learn about the EELISA Roundtable: the role of mentorship in education, research and academic careers.
Read the article: "More than one path: Waradon Phokhinanan on the EELISA PhD Mentorship Program"