Who Should Be Involved?

This program is for independent academic researchers in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine at Canadian institutions.

• Mentees: Early Career Researchers * (up to 5 years / 60 months from first academic appointment).
• Mentors: Mid to Senior Career Researchers (more than 5 years (61 months +) from first academic appointment).

 * SCN defines an Early Career Researcher (ECR) as an investigator who, at the time of their grant application, has held a full-time, independent research appointment for a period of 0 to 5 years (60 months).

 The 5-year clock can be extended under specific circumstances:

• Eligible Leaves: ECR status is extended by twice the amount of eligible leave taken (e.g., 1 year of parental leave adds 2 years to your ECR eligibility).
• COVID-19 Adjustments: CIHR provides a flat 2-year extension for researchers whose ECR window or early-appointment timeframe was impacted by the pandemic.

Additional Details

SCN will match participants based on information provided through a short application and expression of interest.

• Mentees: ECRs will be asked to identify a few immediate career challenges or goals, as well as one longer-term development goal. ECRs will also be welcome to suggest one to three senior PIs they would like to connect with.
• Mentors: Senior PIs will be asked to identify areas in which they can offer practical guidance, such as leadership, grant strategy, lab management, career progression, or navigating institutional responsibilities.

Matches will prioritize alignment between the junior PI’s goals and the senior PI’s experience, rather than exact research area or technical expertise. While scientific interests may be considered, participants should not expect to be matched based on a shared research niche. The goal is to support meaningful, focused conversations that provide practical career insight and professional development support.

How to Apply

• ECRs interested in participating in the Principal Investigator Mentorship Program must complete a short application form. Applicants will be asked to share their current career stage, areas where they are seeking guidance, two to three immediate goals or challenges they would like to discuss, and one longer-term development goal.
• MCRs/SCRs interested in serving as mentors will be invited to complete a brief expression of interest form outlining the areas where they are comfortable offering practical guidance.
• Applicants attending TMM2026 in Vancouver, BC, may be given preference if the interest exceeds the available places. Space in this pilot program is limited, and matches will be curated by SCN based on participants’ goals, mentors’ experience, and overall program capacity.

Conditions

• Participants must agree to participate in two meetings: the first, ideally held in-person at TMM2026, and one virtual follow-up meeting between January and March 2027.
• Junior PIs are expected to take an active role in shaping the connection. This includes identifying the goals or challenges they would like to discuss, preparing a brief agenda or discussion topics in advance of each meeting, and respecting the senior PI’s time by arriving prepared, communicating promptly, and following through on any agreed next steps.
• This program is intended to support focused career development conversations. Participation does not create a formal advisory, supervisory, sponsorship, or ongoing mentorship relationship, and any additional meetings beyond the two expected conversations are at the discretion of both participants.

Mentees and Mentors must both agree to complete a survey after concluding the two meetings describing the value of the opportunity to each party. This information will be used at SCN’s discretion on its website, newsletters, and for the purpose of reporting to its funding agencies.

The Principal Investigator Mentorship Program is hosted by SCN’s Early Career Researcher Committee (ECRC). The ECRC supports initiatives that strengthen connections, professional development, and leadership opportunities for early career researchers in Canada’s regenerative medicine community.