The APSG Mentorship Program connects PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers studying authoritarian politics with volunteer mentors who provide research and professional guidance.

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Application

The application for the 2026/2027 cohort is already closed. Stay tuned for the call for the 2027/2028 cohort in August/September 2027.

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Program Rules

1. Selected mentees must contact their assigned mentor within one week of receiving their match.
2. All communication should be respectful, professional, and answered within a reasonable period.
3. The mentor and mentee should jointly agree on the frequency, format, and expectations for their meetings.
4. APSG mentors participate on a voluntary basis. Mentees should respect their mentors’ time and availability.
5. Mentees who can no longer participate must promptly inform their mentor and the APSG organizers.
6. Selected mentees must complete the APSG feedback survey at the end of the mentorship period.
7. APSG cannot guarantee that every applicant will receive a mentor or that every stated mentor preference will be accommodated.
8. Participation is a one-time opportunity. Mentees selected for a cohort will not be eligible to participate in future APSG mentorship cohorts.

Selection and Matching Process

• Applications must be submitted by the deadline stated in the call. We do not accept late applications.
• Because the number of volunteer mentors is limited, only a limited number of mentees can be selected.
• Applications will be evaluated based on:
  1. Relevance of the applicant’s work to the study of authoritarian politics
  2. Clarity of the applicant’s mentoring goals
  3. The potential benefit of participation at the applicant’s current career stage
  4. The availability of a suitable mentor
• Selected mentees will be matched with mentors based on research expertise, mentoring interests, scheduling compatibility, and participant preferences.
• Mentor preferences are considered but do not guarantee a particular match.
• Selected applicants must formally accept their place by the deadline specified in the notification email. If an applicant does not respond by that deadline, the place may be offered to another candidate.

Tips for Applicants

• Be specific about the type of guidance you hope to receive, such as advice on research, publishing, fieldwork, teaching, grant applications, or academic and nonacademic careers.
• Describe your current career stage and the main goals you would like to pursue during the mentorship period.
• Provide accurate information about your availability and preferred meeting schedule.
• You can indicate mentor preferences. If you do, please focus on relevant expertise and mentoring interests. Remember that APSG cannot guarantee a match with a particular person.