NAWI and the NextGen Program are seeking participants for the 2026 – 2027 mentorship program (September 2026 – February 2027). Applications are due on August 31, 2026 – apply today!
About the Program
The NAWI NextGen Mentorship Program leverages the NAWI Network’s experiences and expertise to:
- Foster meaningful connections across career stages and disciplines
- Empower young professionals to learn from mentors and peers
- Build relationships that support professional and personal growth
Mentor-mentee groups pair mentors, who are typically further along in their education or career, with at least one early-career mentee. We anticipate offering several types of mentorship programs this year, including groups focused on PhD Advice, Careers in Industry, Careers in Academia, and Careers in National Labs. Availability will depend on interest.
The program consists of 6 mentor-mentee meetings scheduled between September 2026 and February 2027. There are opportunities for limited participation if you are unable to commit to the entire program.
To help each mentoring relationship run smoothly, participants will receive a toolkit with practical resources, including goal-setting worksheets, discussion guides, and meeting templates, and an Individual Development Plan to support longer-term career planning.
Who Can Apply
Anyone excited about water technologies – whether you’re just starting out or already building your career!
- Mentees: Undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, early-career professionals, or professionals interested in a career transition
- Mentors: Postdocs, research staff, faculty, and experienced professionals from industry, academia, and national labs
NAWI affiliation is not required for participation.
Mentor and Mentee Expectations
Mentors will:
- Help mentees set and achieve professional development goals
- Provide guidance based on discussions with mentees
- Facilitate professional connections for mentees
- Share life experiences openly with mentees and maintain confidentiality
Mentees will:
- Define career goals and self-assess professional strengths and areas for improvement
- Work with mentor to develop a plan for achieving career goals
- Actively schedule and participate in meetings
- Seek feedback, be receptive to coaching, share successes and setbacks, and maintain confidentiality
How to Apply
If you are interested in participating in the NAWI NextGen mentorship program, please complete the program application, in which you’ll share your aspirations, educational background, personal interests, and more. Applications are due Aug. 31, 2026. We will announce matching results on Sep. 7, 2026.
For more information, email the NextGen mentorship program lead, Junli Wang, at with questions!