Advancing Careers in Academic Disciplines with Education and Mentorship in Engineering
ACADEME is a national mentoring hub dedicated to lead to better prepared engineering academics. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the Broadening Participation in Engineering (BPE) Track 4 Mentoring Hub program, ACADEME supports doctoral students, postdoctoral scholars, and early-career researchers as they prepare for and transition into academic careers.
Through structured mentoring, professional development, and community-building activities, ACADEME aims to strengthen pathways into engineering faculty and leadership positions while fostering excellence across the academic enterprise.
What Is ACADEME?
ACADEME is designed to provide a supportive, cohort-based mentoring environment that equips participants with the skills, confidence, and networks needed to succeed as future faculty members and academic leaders.
Our approach emphasizes:
- Evidence-based mentoring practices
- Career-relevant professional development
- Community building across institutions and career stages
- Sustainable mentoring infrastructure with national reach
What We Offer
Professional Development Modules
ACADEME offers intensive modules focused on preparing participants for academic careers in engineering. Topics include:
- Faculty job search preparation
- Research and teaching statements
- Grant writing and funding strategies
- Navigating academic culture and expectations
Structured Mentoring
Participants engage in guided mentoring relationships with experienced faculty and academic leaders. Mentoring activities are designed to support:
- Career planning and goal setting
- Professional identity development
- Long-term success and retention in academia
Community and Networking
ACADEME builds community among scholars from diverse disciplines and institutions through cohort activities, peer mentoring, and networking opportunities that extend beyond individual workshops.
Who ACADEME Serves
Mentees
- Doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars in engineering and related fields
- Individuals interested in pursuing academic or research-focused careers
- Current faculty in academia
Mentors
- Faculty members and academic professionals committed to effective mentoring
- Individuals interested in supporting the next generation of engineering scholars
Why ACADEME Matters
The U.S. needs science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates to remain competitive in both local and global markets. Research shows that intentional, structured mentoring plays a critical role in improving recruitment, retention, and advancement in academia. Better prepared engineering educators will lead to better equipped, newly trained engineers entering the workforce.
ACADEME addresses this need by creating a scalable mentoring hub that supports individuals while contributing to broader, systemic change across engineering education and research communities.
Program Activities and Opportunities
Participants in ACADEME may engage in:
- Mentoring workshops
- Professional development activities and podcasts
- Ongoing mentor–mentee engagement
- Access to national networks of scholars and leaders
Specific activities, timelines, and application details are provided in individual program announcements.
Get Involved
We welcome participation from scholars, mentors, and institutional partners who share our commitment to broadening participation in engineering academia. Details coming soon on how to:
→ Apply to Participate
→ Become a Mentor
→ Partner With ACADEME
→ Listen to a podcast
About the Funding
ACADEME is supported by the National Science Foundation under the Broadening Participation in Engineering (BPE) Program, Track 4: Mentoring Hubs. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.