One of the successful and positive features at NCEAS is the "mentorless" post-doc program. This model is repeatedly referred to in review documents and discussed at some length in the Nature essay on internationl post-doc opportunities.

I call attention to the new requirement in the NSF grant proposal guide (09-1, section II, p. 7) that:

"Each proposal that requests funding to support postdoctoral researchers must include, as a separate section
within the 15-page Project Description, a description of the mentoring activities that will be provided for such
individuals. Examples of mentoring activities include, but are not limited to: career counseling; training in
preparation of grant proposals, publications and presentations; guidance on ways to improve teaching and
mentoring skills; guidance on how to effectively collaborate with researchers from diverse backgrounds and
disciplinary areas; and training in responsible professional practices. The proposed mentoring activities will be
evaluated as part of the merit review process under the Foundation's broader impacts merit review criterion.
Proposals that do not include a separate section on mentoring activities within the Project Description will be
returned without review."

It may be useful to discuss how NCEAS can promote its mentorless post-doc program as a model for mentoring activities. Or if there is a need to incorporate more structured activiites into the current NCEAS post-doc program.

Aaron Ellison

1/28/2009

Hi Aaron,

I think the lack of mentorship is a weakness of the NCEAS post-doc program (especally in light of the new NSF requirement). But I am not sure how to address that weakness while preserving the post-doc program's strengths: total independence and opportunities for interactions with many scientists. We should definitely ask the current post-docs what kind of mentoring activities they have created for themselves.

-Peter