2024 Mentorship Program

Mentors: Any attending neuro-intensivist, nurse practitioner (NP), registered nurse (RN), physician assistant (PA) or pharmacist may apply to serve as a mentor. While there is no requirement for mentors' years in practice, applicants less than three years out of training are encouraged to apply as a mentee. Those in either academic or private practice from all training backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be an NCS member.

Mentees: Applicants may be any MD resident or fellow, RN, NP, PA or pharmacist in training or within three years of training completion with an interest in neurocritical care. Graduates in the first three years out of training are encouraged to apply as mentees. Applicants must be an NCS member.

Structure of the Program

One-on-One Mentor/Mentee program

1. 1. This is one on one with one mentor and one mentee
   2. Meetings should be initially set up by communication between the mentor and mentee
      1. The matches will be made this year by the annual meeting time – we are doing this to encourage meeting in person at the meeting if you are both present!!
   3. Quarterly emails will be sent to encourage topics of conversation and check in to see if our assistance is needed
   4. A project is optional but encouraged and can be anything related to the interests of the mentor/mentee
      1. We hope to have an award for the best mentor/mentee project at the NCS Annual Meeting in Phoenix in Montreal 2025 (specifics on this will be distributed at a later time)

Overview:

The NCS Research Operations Subcommittee (ROSC) is excited to announce the launch of the first ever Research Catalyst Program. This 12 month mentorship program operates in sync with the Trainee Section Mentor Mentee Program, and is for highly motivated mentees (including early and mid-career faculty) and mentors with specific research goals and interests. Applicants who have already applied to the Trainee Section Mentorship program and are also interested in the Research Catalyst, will need to fill out the dedicated Research Catalyst Application as well. For those who have yet to apply, please apply here by the end of day November 22, 2024. Please apply below at the following link for BOTH mentors and mentees.

What is the Research Catalyst?

• A 12-month mentor-mentee program to increase support for trainees, early and mid-career faculty, and/or underrepresented members of the NCS, who are specifically interested in research mentorship
• Enables research-domain or career-stage focused one-on-one pairings, which may be outside of one’s own institution
• Provides connection to a NCS mentor for a well-qualified NCS mentee with demonstrated commitment on new or mutually agreed upon research projects
• Supported by NCS Research Operations Subcommittee (ROSC) volunteers
• In parallel with Trainee Mentor Mentee Program, participants will have opportunity to participate in this program as well and take advantage of network of research mentors

Who is eligible?

• Current NCS members
• A limit of 4-8 Mentor and Mentee pairings for the 2024-2025 cycle

What is the mentor commitment and return on time investment?

• 12 month period of mentorship with expectation of meeting each month for ~ 1 hr
• Interest in project development, data analysis and/or writing review, ongoing mentoring beyond
• 12 mo., collaboration on existing projects, grant preparation, etc.
• Completion of project should manifest publication(s) and/or grant(s)
• Understanding the non-monetary awards and official award recognition by NCS may be offered at completion of the program

How are mentees selected?

• Completion of the survey of research interests, needs, proposed research plans and timelines, which requires thoughtful input of written statements to ensure the candidate is serious in their intent and commitment
• Institutional support letter (< 500 words, from department chair or faculty member who knows the mentee well) and a standard (< 500 words) personal statement is required
• Commitment to completion of the project and respect of the professional mentor mentee relationship

What is the timeline?

• September - October 2024 - Program announcement and call for applications
• November 22, 2024 - Surveys and Application deadline by end of day
• November 1, 2024 - Dec 31, 2024 - Review and selection of mentor mentee pairings
• Jan 1, 2025 - Kick off meeting for selected pairings
• Quarterly thereafter - surveys, checking meetings

For questions or comments, please reach out to Program Co-Chair Nick Murray at nickmmurray@gmail.com

 

Project and Topics

A project completed during the program is optional and up to the mentor and mentee. Topics and potential projects to be discussed between mentors and mentees may include, but are not limited to: grant writing, literature/chapter review, ethics, guidelines, journal editing, curriculum development, publications, global outreach, etc.

Regardless of completion of a formal project, we hope that each mentor will address mentee questions regarding topics such as: fellowship/job applications, career guidance, work-life balance, etc.

NCS is not responsible for events during or after the mentor and mentee pairing has been made.