CROSS partners are invited to a Mentoring Conference in Prague
CROSS partner organisations are warmly invited to the inaugural International Mentoring Conference, taking place from 10 to 12 February 2026 at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague. This event is linked with the international Mentoring Forum, which runs at UCT Prague from 11 to 12 February 2026.
Registration and Payment Information
Please register yourself and your colleagues using the registration form below no later than on 26 January.
The conference fee is waived for consortium partners. Every participant will receive conference materials, refreshments, lunches, and a small gift, and will be invited to a gala reception, a brewery tour with tasting, and a guided Prague discovery tour with a local tour guide.
Once registered, you will receive confirmation.
If you would like to participate in the CROSS: Mentoring Conference in Prague and you are not part of the CROSS consortium, please consider attending the International Mentoring Forum.
Program
Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Arrival & Networking
16:00 Arrival and accommodation
16:00–19:00 Guided tour of Prague
19:00–22:00 Dinner in the city center
Wednesday, 11 February 2026
08:30–09:00 Registration and refreshments
09:00–09:15 Opening of the CROSS Conference
09:30–10:30 — Block 1
Mentoring Implementation in the CROSS Project (Introduction)
10:45–11:00 Coffee break
11:00–12:00 — Block 2
Mentoring Implementation in the CROSS Project (workshop and discussion
12:00–13:30 Lunch
13:30–14:00 Coffee break & registration for the Mentoring Forum
14:00–14:30 Opening of the Mentoring Forum
14:30–15:30 — Block 3
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 — Block 4
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
10:45–12:15 — Block 7
Mentoring for socioeconomically disadvantaged students and students from Ukraine at Charles University
Charles University Mentoring Programme for Postdoctoral Researchers
Coffee break
14:00-15:30 — Block 8
Mentee–Mentor Pairing (UCT Prague)
Parallel brewery visit
15:45-17:00– Block 9
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.
Conference Program and Arrival
We advise you to arrive in Prague in the morning on 10 February or in the early afternoon.
10 February 2026
Participants will arrive and check in, which will be followed by a guided tour of Prague. The day will conclude with dinner, offering an opportunity for networking and the first face-to-face meeting.
11 February 2026
The day begins with registration and refreshments. The official opening of the CROSS Conference will be followed by two session blocks and lunch. After a brief coffee break and registration for the Mentoring Forum, the Mentoring Forum will open, providing an opportunity for those from Czech universities to participate and share their experience. Two blocks of lectures and workshops will follow throughout the afternoon as part of the forum program.
12 February 2026
The morning program will continue in a similar format. After lunch, participants will be invited to a guided tour of the local university brewery. The day will conclude in the evening with a formal closing ceremony, followed by a reception and a networking event providing further opportunities for building professional connections.
Venue, Transport, Accommodation
The conference will be held at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Building A (Technická 5, 16000 Prague 6 – Dejvice). The university is easily accessible by metro line A (station Dejvická), tram, or bus (Dejvická or Vítězné náměstí stops).
Transport and accommodation are not included in the conference fee. We recommend booking your stay at Masaryk Dormitory. If you choose other accommodation, we recommend booking it in a location close to the university campus in Dejvice.