The UA-WiSE/WISER Mentorship Program aims to connect women and under-represented individuals in STEM fields with mentors who can help foster professional development and personal discovery.
The UA-WISE & WISER Mentorship Program 2026/27 is now OPEN to Mentees! Applications close on October 9, 2026.
Experienced Mentor applications are now closed. Thank you to all those who applied!
How to Apply
- Register through Eventbrite and pay a $25.00 deposit.*
- Complete the Mentee Registration Google Form. The bios of this year’s experienced mentors can be found here.
Both steps are required to complete your application. The information in this form will help us select the best mentor for you
Applications close on October 9, 2026.
*Refund process:
Applicants who are not accepted into the program will be refunded their deposit within three weeks of notification of their status in the program.
For applicants with financial challenges, please contact uawise.wiser@gmail.com and we are more than happy to look into waiving the deposit.
Who can apply?
We are currently recruiting mentees for the UA-WiSE/WISER Mentorship Program 2026/2027.
These include Early-Career Professionals (<5 years of experience), Graduate Students (Master’s and PhDs), Post-docs, Professional Students and Undergraduate Students.
Returning mentees are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to first-time applicants.
About the Mentorship Program
The mentorship program follows a unique trio model consisting of:
• One undergraduate student
• One early career professional or graduate student
• One experienced mentor
Throughout the program, mentors provide guidance, share career insights, and support the personal and professional development of their mentees.
Mentorship Program highlights:
- Unique trio format (undergraduate + early-career professional/graduate student + experienced mentor)
- Three formal events (about two hours each) with two optional professional development events
- Trios meet independently outside of events (minimum six hours)
- Certificate of completion upon fulfilling 12 hours of program participation
Note: Individuals living outside of Edmonton are welcome to apply. If attendance at in person events is not possible, any missed hours may be made up through additional independent trio meetings.
Events:
29 October 2026, 6:00 – 8:00 PM: Mentorship Program Orientation (virtual)
28 January 2027, 6:00 – 8:00 PM: Professional Development Event (in person, University of Alberta campus)
25 March 2027, 6:00 – 8:00 PM: Professional Development Event (in person, University of Alberta campus)
Optional workshops:
26 November 2026, 6:00 – 8:00 PM: Topic TBD
25 February 2027, 6:00 – 8:00 PM: Topic TBD
Independent trio meetings: complete at least 6 hours by April 5, 2027
Event dates and times are subject to change. Certificates will be automatically issued to participants who fulfill all the program requirements.
Application Fees:
- Mentors (Experienced Professionals who have ≥ 5 years of experience in their field) are exempt from this fee.
- Mentees (i.e. Early-Career Professionals, Graduate Students (Master’s and PhDs), Post-docs, Professional Students and Undergraduate Students) pay a $25.00 fee.
Refund process:
- Applicants who are not accepted into the program will be refunded their deposit within three weeks of notification of their status in the program.
Note: All applicants, except experienced mentors, need to pay a $25 deposit at the time of application. For applicants with financial challenges, please contact uawise.wiser@gmail.com and we are more than happy to look into waiving the deposit.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please direct your questions to uawise.wiser@gmail.com.
© 2021 WiSER (Women in Science, Engineering & Research)
wiser@ualberta.ca