MIT now offers 2 new professional development certificates to help graduate students and postdocs fast track and focus their growth in two essential areas: mentoring and grant writing.
Research Mentoring Certificate
This program provides an opportunity for PhDs and postdocs to develop their mentoring skills and grow their practice of productive and inclusive research mentoring. Fundamental to the success of mentors and mentees alike, mentoring is also a transferable skill that is highly valued within multiple contexts. Each session will be led by facilitators trained by the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER).
During this program, students will explore key concepts in mentoring pedagogy, including:
- Maintaining effective communication
- Aligning expectations
- Addressing equity and inclusion
- Assessing understanding
Over the course of the program, students will develop a mentoring philosophy that they can use in their mentoring experiences.
All PhDs and postdocs at MIT who are interested in research mentoring are encouraged to apply for the program, which will take place in person during IAP 2024.
Applications for IAP are now closed.
This certificate program is a collaboration between CAPD and the School of Engineering Communication Labs.
Grant Writing Training Certificate
Grant writing is an essential skill that grows in importance during the transitions from graduate student to postdoc and faculty member. This certificate program provides training in principles of grant writing and the grant submission process, and will be especially useful for PhD students and postdocs planning for a research-focused faculty career, or research-centered roles in industry.
The Grant Writing Training Certificate consists of 3 training sessions (and one additional session for those focusing on NIH grant proposals):
- Overview session featuring faculty expertise on the grant-writing process
- IAP 1-day intensive session facilitated by Dr. John Robertson, a noted expert in grant writing who facilitates trainings at institutions around the US and internationally.
- Spring semester session focusing on the grant submission process, including MIT’s internal processes, requirements for submission of federal grant applications, and information on creating budget proposals.
- Optional 4th session focusing on NIH proposals
Applications for the 2023-2024 cohort are now closed.
This certificate program is co-sponsored and produced by CAPD and the Office of the Vice President for Research.
