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The KNCV Mentoringprogram

Growing together by sharing knowledge and experience

Het mentorprogramma van de KNCV brengt jonge, ambitieuze chemici samen met ervaren professionals voor een uitwisseling van kennis, ervaring en netwerk.

Mentoringprogram

The KNCV Mentoringprogram

Growing together by sharing knowledge. Whether you’re just starting out in your career or have been in the field for years, our mentoring programme brings together PhD students, postdocs, young professionals and experienced professionals to learn from one another. Are you wondering which career path suits you best, and are you looking for an independent sounding board outside your supervisory team to talk openly about professional challenges and personal development? As a mentee, you’ll have the chance to expand your network and shape your future, whilst as a mentor you’ll inspire the next generation and gain fresh, new insights to apply to your own practice.

Participation in the mentoring programme as a mentee is free for KNCV members (with the exception of the free student membership). Non-KNCV members pay €40 to take part in the programme. Mentors do not pay anything to take part in the programme. 

Mentoringprogram edition 2026 - 2027

Following the huge success of our pilot programme, we are delighted to launch the second edition of the KNCV mentoring programme in autumn 2026. The programme runs for 9 months.  The matching event, where mentees can meet their mentors, will take place on 12 November from 1.00 pm at the Domstad training and conference centre in Utrecht.

Places are limited, so sign up quickly!

Boost your career and develop your talents with an experienced mentor by your side!

Are you a PhD student, postdoc or young professional looking for someone to listen to you, a fresh perspective or guidance in planning your career?

Sign up as a mentee

Share your expertise with the next generation and gain fresh, new insights in return!

Did you complete your PhD in chemistry, life sciences or process technology 5–15 years ago? Whether you’re in academia, industry or government: share your experience as a mentor, inspire PhD students and young professionals, and gain fresh insights in return!

Sign up to be a mentor

Good matching is the key to success

We believe that finding the right mentor is a key part of a successful mentoring relationship. That is why we are organising a matching event where you can get to know the mentors, so that you can make an informed choice. We therefore strongly recommend that you attend the matching event. 

The matching event takes the form of a speed-matching session. Each mentee has 5 minutes to talk to each mentor. This gives you the chance to get to know them, hear more about their experiences and interests, and find out whether there is a good match in terms of your goals, interests and personality.

After the speed-matching session, you can indicate which mentor(s) you would most like to be matched with. 

How the mentoring programme works

  • After the matching event, we’ll do our best to pair you with your preferred mentor.
  • Once the official match has been confirmed, we’ll ask you to schedule your first mentoring session within two weeks.
  • The mentoring programme lasts 9 months. During this period, we expect mentors and mentees to meet at least three times.
  • Of course, we encourage you to meet more often if your diaries allow and if this helps to build a strong mentoring relationship.

The mentoring relationship is there for you to discuss the topics that matter to you — from career development and exploring opportunities outside your current work environment to professional challenges and personal development. Or simply to have someone outside your usual work environment with whom you can bounce ideas off.