Join us at the International Mentoring Forum!
Take your mentoring to the next level and gain inspiration to expand your mentoring programs beyond the borders of the Czech Republic.
We invite you to the 1st International Mentoring Forum, which will take place on 11–12 February 2026 at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague (UCT Prague). The International Mentoring Forum is conceived as a follow-up to the Mentoring Forum 2024, building on its outcomes and further developing the platform for sharing experience, inspiration, and collaboration—this time with a strong international dimension made possible by the participation of international sister projects.
Conference Registration and Payment
We are pleased to announce a new late registration deadline for the Mentoring Forum. Please note that registering at this stage only allows participation as an attendee and does not permit presenting a talk, workshop, or other contribution. Please register yourself and your colleagues using the form below no later than 2 February:
Registration for the International Mentoring Forum
The conference fee is CZK 3,100 (including VAT) per person. If you wish to contribute your own presentation at the conference, the registration fee is reduced to CZK 2,500. Please note that the organizing team reserves the right to reject certain contributions if deemed appropriate.
The fee includes conference materials, light refreshments throughout the event, lunch, the closing reception, a brewery tour with tasting, parking if needed, and a small gift for each participant.
After submitting your registration, you will receive confirmation and payment instructions.
Mentoring Forum Program
Wednesday, 11 February 2026
13:30–14:00 Coffee break & registration for the Mentoring Forum
14:00–14:30 Opening of the Mentoring Forum
14:30–15:30
The CROSS Project: Overview and Opportunities for Engagement
Overview of activities and involvement possibilities, discussion
Guided tour of the National Technical Library (NTK)
15:30–15:45 Coffee break
15:45–16:45
Presentation of the REBECA (Researcher Beyond Academia) – Mentoring Programme
17:00–18:30 Networking Reception
18:30–19:00 Departure
Thursday, 12 February 2026
08:30–09:00 Registration and refreshments
09:00–10:30
What Do Early-Career Researchers Really Need from Mentoring? Insights from a Pan-European Deep-Tech Needs Analysis (Jana Šimanová, Technická univerzita v Liberci)
Education and Training for Mentors and Mentees
10:30–10:45 Coffee Break
10:45–12:15
Mentoring for socioeconomically disadvantaged students and students from Ukraine at Charles University
Charles University Mentoring Programme for Postdoctoral Researchers
12:15–13:45 Lunch
13:45–14:00 Coffee break & opening of the afternoon session
14:00–15:30
Mentee–Mentor Pairing (UCT Prague)
Parallel brewery visit
15:45–17:00
Starting Mentoring in the Academic Context (UCT Prague)
Parallel brewery visit
17:00–17:30 Closing ceremony of the conference & acknowledgements
Program highlights:
REBECA – Researcher Beyond Academia: Mentoring Programme
Discover how the REBECA mentoring programme empowers early‑career researchers to navigate careers beyond academia — and how you can implement similar structures at your own institution. This six‑month international initiative, coordinated by FECYT within the EURAXESS network, combines global mentor–mentee matching.
In this session, you will learn how REBECA is organised, what makes it scalable across countries, and how mentoring can support researchers in making confident, well‑informed career decisions outside traditional academic paths.
Gain actionable insights into building an international mentoring ecosystem that truly works.
Mentoring for Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Students and Students from Ukraine (Charles University)
This contribution showcases a mentoring programme designed to support students facing socio‑economic challenges and students arriving from Ukraine. You will hear how the programme’s structure, support strategies, and targeted interventions help mentees adapt to the academic environment, overcome specific barriers, and strengthen skills essential for success.
The session highlights what organisers need to consider when designing mentoring support for vulnerable groups, how to tailor mentoring to diverse needs, and which practices lead to meaningful, long‑term impact.
Learn how to build inclusive mentoring that opens doors for those who need it most.
Starting Mentoring in the Academic Context
New to mentoring? This session offers a practical introduction to launching and developing mentoring programmes within universities. Drawing from early implementation experiences, it outlines the key building blocks—programme design, mentor recruitment, communication strategies, evaluation tools—and the pitfalls to avoid.
You will gain a clear roadmap for establishing mentoring that genuinely supports students and staff, as well as insights into how to grow a pilot into a sustainable institutional initiative.
Walk away with concrete steps, proven methods, and inspiration to build your own effective mentoring programme.
Venue, Transport, and Accommodation
Venue:
The event will take place at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Building A
(Technická 5, 160 00 Prague 6 – Dejvice).
The campus is easily accessible by public transport:
- Metro line A (Dejvická station)
- Tram/bus (Dejvická or Vítězné náměstí stops)
Transport and accommodation are not included in the registration fee. We recommend arranging accommodation at Masaryk Hall of Residence. If you choose other accommodation, we recommend selecting a location close to the university campus in Dejvice.