ECUSA launches FOSTERING DOCS, the first post docs mentoring program

During the II Joint Meeting of Spanish Scientists in the United States (http://www.cientificosus2017.es/en), held from June 2 to 4 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Association of Spanish Scientists in the USA (ECUSA) presented its new mentoring program FOSTERING DOCS (fostering-docs .org). 

FOSTERING DOCS is a formal mentoring program that connects Spanish postdoctoral researchers with Spanish mentors inside and outside the academy. 

The program encourages, through the knowledge and experience of the mentor, the professional development of Spanish scientists, and connects young postdoctoral Spanish researchers in the USA with mentors who will support them to take a leap forward in their career. 

Mentors are professionals who work in public research, industry, services, scientific culture and science policy and contribute their experience to the program on a voluntary basis. 

ECUSA proposes formal mentoring as a tool to develop the researcher's career. The practice of mentoring is deeply rooted in the USA, where all higher education institutions have programs such as ECUSA has just launched, and administrations are committed to mentoring as a tool to promote professional integration throughout all stages of education. 

In the first part of the Fostering Docs program, twenty Spanish scientists have been selected based on their academic merits. They are undertaking their postdoctoral stay at institutions such as Princeton University, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center or the California Institute of Technology, and will be advised by researchers and professionals in academic institutions and R & D companies in Spain with the aim of advancing professionally and Facilitating their return, taking advantage of their experience accumulated as postdoctorals. 

FOSTERING DOCS has the support of the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), the General Secretariat of Immigration and Emigration (MEYSS) of Spain and the consulting firm specialized in talent management LINCOLN Leadership Advisors. 

More information: fosteringdocs@ecusa.es