Questions about the eMentoring Initiative

General Information about the eMentoring Initiative and Other Resources
Mentor Information
Protégé Information

General Information about the eMentoring Initiative and Other Resources

What does the NHLBI eMentoring Initiative offer?

The opportunity to pair college students, post baccalaureate individuals, post docs and non-tenured faculty with NHLBI-supported scientists in their fields of interest/expertise for eMail-based mentoring relationships. The NHLBI eMentoring Initiative places emphasis on mentoring individuals at less-research intensive institutions.

Additional Questions?
Please do not hesitate to contact us: eMentoring@nhlbi.nih.gov or 301-451-5081

Other Resources:

To Choose an Adviser, Be an “Armchair Anthropologist”
NHLBI Research Training and Career Development Programs
Adviser, Teacher, Role Model, Friend: On Being a Mentor to Students in Science and Engineering.

Mentor Information

1. What does the NHLBI eMentoring Initiative offer?
   The opportunity to pair college students, post baccalaureate individuals, post docs and non-tenured faculty with NHLBI-supported scientists in their fields of interest/expertise for eMail-based mentoring relationships. The NHLBI eMentoring Initiative places emphasis on mentoring individuals at less-research intensive institutions.


2. Who can be a Mentor?
   Any currently supported NHLBI grantee/contractor.


3. How does it work?
   Mentors complete a Mentor profile and select their preferred level(s) of education for a Protégé(s). Protégés are presented with scientific areas that match their interests. Protégés contact the Mentor initially via eMail with the subject line "NHLBI eMentoring Initiative Request."


4. What is needed in establishing a Mentor profile?
   Name, eMail address, institution and scientific interests. (Register online.)


5. How long does it take to complete a profile?
   About 3 – 5 minutes. It is fast and easy.


6. How many Protégés can I have?
   As many for which you can provide quality mentorship.


7. What happens when the Protégé contacts me?
   When a Protégé contacts you, the eMail will have the standard subject line "NHLBI eMentoring Initiative Request." Please be mindful of this request and respond to the Protégé.


8. If I do not believe that I am a match for a Protégé who has contacted me what should I do?
   If you do not believe that you are a match for a Protégé who has requested you as a Mentor please inform the Protégé within 2 weeks so that the Protégé can seek another Mentor.


9. When is the Mentor-Protégé relationship established?
   When the Protégé confirms the mentorship, the relationship is established. The Protégé is requested to send an eMail to the "eMentoring Mailbox" with the subject line "Match Established" when a match has been made. The Mentor's name is included in this.


10. What does “MATCH ESTABLISHED” mean?
    “MATCH ESTABLISHED” means that a Mentor has agreed to mentor a Protégé who has contacted him or her.


11. What is my commitment, and what exactly does that entail?
    We would like the Mentor to establish rapport via eMail to help the Protégé(s) progress in their scientific careers. We request an initial commitment of 8 months with the Protégé.


12. When does the 8-month partnership period begin?
    The clock starts ticking when the NHLBI eMentoring Team receives the "Match Established" eMail from the Protégé.


13. What happens during the 8-month period?
    Protégés are in touch with their Mentors to obtain advice, enhance their skills and intellectual growth in scientific-related fields, and plan their future scientific careers so they may develop into successful professionals.


14. When do I know that the 8-month period is ending?
    Periodically, the Mentor and the Protégé receive an eMail from the NHLBI eMentoring Team reminding them when the partnership will formally end. A last eMail will follow on the week of the expiration date.


15. What happens at the end of the 8-month Mentorship?
    The mentorship with the Protégé will formally end. In case an additional “formal” 8-month eMentoring period is needed with the concurrence of both the Mentor and Protégé, it is necessary to contact the eMentoring team (eMentoring@nhlbi.nih.gov) who will help establish the partnership again. The partnership may also be continued informally between participants.
    
    The NHLBI eMentoring Initiative Team would appreciate an eMail from both the Protégé and Mentor with the subject line "eMentoring Experiences" informing them of the mentorship experiences. Your comments and suggestions will help improve future partnerships.


16. Can I put my mentorship on hold?
    If at any time you wish to suspend your profile temporarily, simply send an eMail with the subject line “Mentor Unsubscribe” to the NHLBI eMentoring Initiative team to temporarily remove your name from the list of available Mentors. To reactivate your profile, please send an eMail with the subject line “Mentor Reactivate” to the NHLBI eMentoring Initiative team.


17. How do I withdraw permanently?
    Simply send us an eMail with the subject line “Mentor Unsubscribe” and tell us you are withdrawing.


18. How do I sign up to be a Mentor?
    Register online.

Additional Questions? Please do not hesitate to contact the NHLBI eMentoring team at: eMentoring@nhlbi.nih.gov or 301-451-5081

top of page

Protégé Information

1. What does the NHLBI eMentoring Initiative offer?
   The opportunity to establish a partnership between college students, post baccalaureate individuals, post docs and non-tenured faculty with NHLBI-supported scientists in their fields of interest/expertise for eMail-based mentoring relationships. All mentoring partnerships are encouraged, however, the NHLBI eMentoring Initiative may be particularly beneficial to individuals at less-research intensive institutions.


2. How does it work?
   Protégés will have the opportunity to find Mentors and establish a mentoring relationship with them for an eight month period.


3. Who can be a Protégé?
   Anyone who is a college student, post baccalaureate, post doc, or non-tenured faculty.


4. How do I find a Mentor?
   The Mentor is matched to the Protégé by areas of scientific interest. Simply click on the link, Protégés, do you need a Mentor?, and follow the instructions.


5. What happens when the Mentor contacts me and we establish a Mentor-Protégé partnership?
   Please eMail the NHLBI eMentoring Initiative team with subject heading "MATCH ESTABLISHED" to let us know that a match has been made. Please include the name of the Mentor.


6. What does “MATCH ESTABLISHED” mean?
   “MATCH ESTABLISHED” means that a Protégé has identified a Mentor who has agreed to mentor him or her.


7. When does the 8-month partnership period begin?
   The clock starts ticking when the NHLBI eMentoring Team receives the "Match Established" eMail.


8. What happens during the 8-month period?
   Protégés are in touch with their Mentors to obtain advice, discuss their career development, enhance their skills and intellectual growth in scientific-related fields, and plan their future scientific careers so they may develop into successful professionals.


9. When do I know that the 8-month period is ending?
   Periodically, the Mentor and the Protégé receive an eMail from the NHLBI eMentoring Team reminding them when the partnership will formally end. A last eMail will follow on the week of the expiration date.


10. What happens at the end of the 8-month partnership?
    The mentorship with the Protégé will formally end. In case an additional “formal” 8-month eMentoring period is needed with the concurrence of both the Mentor and Protégé, it is necessary to contact the eMentoring team (eMentoring@nhlbi.nih.gov) who will help establish the partnership again. The partnership may also be continued informally between participants.
    
    The NHLBI eMentoring Initiative Team would appreciate an eMail from both the Protégé and eMentor with the subject line "eMentoring Experiences" informing them of the mentorship experiences. Your comments and suggestions will help improve future partnerships.

Additional Questions?
Please do not hesitate to contact us: eMentoring@nhlbi.nih.gov or 301-451-5081

top of page