2026 Mentorship Scheme News!

We are pleased to announce that for our 1st 2026 Mentorship Scheme:

WE HAVE - 37 MENTORS

MATCHED WITH - 45 MENTEES

ACROSS - 34 COUNTRIES

CONGRATULATIONS to all those successfully selected!

We were overwhelmed by the incredible number of applications we received from both Mentees and Mentors.

Elena has been busy matching our Mentees to our wonderfully diverse Mentors and has completed the matching process!

If you weren’t selected this time around, don’t feel defeated, we hope to launch another round later this year so keep checking in for announcements.

Meet our 2026 Leadership Mentors

What this Mentorship Scheme about?

This program is designed to support women at the early stages of their careers by connecting them with established professionals across marine science, conservation, policy, industry, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and science communication.

We’re not looking to match people around abstract ideas. Instead, we’re intentionally selecting mentees who come in with a clear, concrete goal they want to work toward with their mentor.

That goal might be:

  • shaping or advancing a research project

  • preparing a publication or grant application

  • applying for an expedition, fellowship, or funding opportunity

  • developing an idea into a pitch or early-stage startup concept

  • improving CVs or application materials

  • or exploring next steps in policy, advocacy, or science communication

The focus is practical, supportive, and goal-driven — with space for reflection along the way.

A call for Mentors

We continue to welcome applications from established professionals who would like to join the program as a Mentor.

If you are someone with experience in ocean science, conservation, policy, industry, startups, advocacy, or related fields and you’re open to contributing a few volunteer hours over several months to support the growth of an early-career woman, we would love to hear from you.

We’re already planning to launch a new Mentorship Program in 2027, so if you’re interested in becoming a future Mentor, you’re welcome to submit your application at anytime.

🕊️ Mentorship in this program is volunteer-based