DeZIM.Mentoring
Call for applications for the 2025/2026 cohort
Call for Application / Deadline: 30.09.2025
About the program
The DeZIM Research Community supports early-career researchers in advancing their academic and professional paths. To this end, it offers the DeZIM Mentoring Program for doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers at DeZIM institutions.
The program is based on informal transfer of experience and knowledge, as well as individual support. Experienced researchers (mentors) are paired with young researchers (mentees) to support them in their professional development on various levels. Within this ‘tandem’, mentees can reflect on their career planning, discuss academic challenges, and receive valuable guidance for their professional orientation. The mentoring is complemented by smaller events focused on specific topics, as well as by targeted formats that promote peer exchange among mentees. Overall, the program offers mentees the opportunity to benefit from the expertise and experience of their mentors while expanding their own skills and professional networks.
- Application Phase: Interested colleagues from the DeZIM Community can apply to participate in the program as mentees until 30.09.2025. Applicants will be informed about acceptance or rejection no later than 15.10.2025.
- Introduction and Search for Mentors: On 31.10.2025, mentees will have the opportunity to get to know each other and network in a virtual event. In addition, further information about the program and the mentor search will be provided. After the event, mentees will begin the process of identifying a suitable mentor, which should be completed by the end of December 2025. We offer support throughout this process — both in finding suitable individuals and in initiating contact.
- Program 2026: Once a mentor has been successfully identified, the mentoring program will begin with a virtual kick-off-event in January, on 16.01.2026. Each tandem can choose to establish a voluntary mentoring agreement, outlining key parameters such as duration, topics, and goals of the mentoring relationship. The frequency, location, and length of meetings are decided individually by each tandem. In addition, virtual cohort-wide meetings on thematic focus areas will take place throughout the year. The program for the 2025/2026 cohort will conclude in December 2026. Of course, the mentoring relationship may continue informally beyond the official end of the program.
Each tandem can decide for itself which topics should be the subject of the mentoring relationship. The following topics are possible as examples:
- Career planning and development
- Research methods and design
- Publication and academic writing
- project management
- Networking and collaborations
- Funding and financing
- Ethics and integrity in research
- Teaching and pedagogy
- Work-life balance
- DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) in science
- Challenges in everyday scientific (professional) life
To participate in the DeZIM Mentoring Program 2025/2026, please submit your CV and a motivation letter (max. 2 pages) in PDF format to forschungsgemeinschaft@dezim-institut.de with the subject line: "Mentoring 2025/2026" by 30.09.2025.
In the motivation letter, please include a brief thematic overview of your research within the fields of integration and migration studies, your expectations for the program, and the areas in which you would like to receive support.
If you have any questions, please contact the networking coordinator of the respective DeZIM-FG institute.
We look forward to receiving your applications!
The Networking Coordinators of the DeZIM Research Community