Mentorship Program | 2026-2027

The UA-WISE & WISER Mentorship Program 2026/27 is now OPEN to Experienced Mentors!

Mentee applications (undergraduates, graduate students, and early career professionals) will open in September!

How to Apply

To complete your mentor application:

• Register through Eventbrite.
• Complete the Mentor Registration Google Form

Both steps are required to complete your application.

Applications close on August 17, 2026.

Who can apply?

We are currently recruiting experienced mentors for the UA-WiSE/WISER Mentorship Program 2026/2027.

Experienced mentors are professionals with more than five years of experience in their respective field. We welcome individuals from a wide range of STEM disciplines who are passionate about sharing their knowledge, offering career guidance, and supporting the next generation of STEM professionals.

Returning mentors are encouraged to apply. We value the relationships built through our mentorship program, and experienced mentors are welcome to participate in multiple program cycles.

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
• Certificate of completion upon fulfilling the program requirements

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.

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 deposit.

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.