The European Geosciences Union (EGU) and Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) are delighted to announce the EGU-IEEP Policy Mentoring Scheme is open! This 12-month mentoring scheme will provide early and mid-career scientists with the opportunity to work alongside members of the Institute for IEEP, a Brussels-based think tank that aims to advance impact-driven environmental policy across the EU.

In collaboration with the Institute for European Environmental Policy, the EGU is offering a 12-month hybrid mentoring scheme that will provide an early or mid-career researcher with the unique opportunity to work alongside IEEP members, gaining valuable hands-on experience and insights into how they interact and share information with Europe’s policy community. This scheme will include up to two days per month of virtual teamwork, offering flexibility and consistent guidance. In addition to this, the selected candidate will spend three weeks in 2026 in Brussels with all travel expenses covered, allowing them to effectively engage in the IEEP’s policy projects, network with experts, and play a key role in shaping meaningful initiatives.

As a scientific union that supports evidence-informed policymaking, the EGU supports greater interaction between the research community and policy sectors. We believe that this mentoring scheme will facilitate these interactions while also providing the selected candidate with the opportunity to gain a solid understanding of the European policy landscape and develop their science for policy skills. We hope that this will not only empower the selected candidate, but also their institution and wider scientific community in future policy engagement activities. Furthermore, we anticipate that this mentoring scheme will contribute to the overall visibility and influence of the scientific community within non-academic, policy focused sectors.

About the Institute for European Environmental Policy
As an independent, unbiased, impartial, and evidence-based institute based in Brussels, the IEEP is well positioned to support a researcher in developing their knowledge of the science-policy interface and European political landscape. The IEEP focuses on five different work programmes: Climate and circular economy; Global challenges and SDGs; Land use and climate; Common Agricultural Policy and food; and Biodiversity and ecosystems. You can read more about the IEEP and the work they do to inform policy on their website.

What the mentoring scheme will include
This mentoring scheme is ideal for a researcher who is looking to gain experience in a non-academic sector, broaden their professional network, develop an understanding of the European policy landscape, enhance their science for policy skills, and learn about how they and their institutions can increase the policy impact of their research.

While the mentoring scheme will be flexible and aim to facilitate the interests of the selected candidate, there are several specific benefits and activities that the scheme will include:

1. 12 months experience of working with a Brussels-based think tank, from 24 August 2026 through to 27 August 2027. The mentee is expected to contribute to existing activities at IEEP and to initiate individual research and activities for up to 2 days per month online in addition to 3 weeks in-person at the IEEP Brussels office. The in-person visit may take place consecutively or be divided into multiple visits throughout the 12-month mentorship.
2. Initial introductory call with the selected mentee and their appointed mentor to discuss their career paths, interests, and relevant IEEP projects that they could contribute towards.
3. Attend and contribute towards one or more of the invitation-only Working Groups of IEEP’s network of think tanks.
4. Contribute to one or more of the IEEP’s publications that are shared with policymakers with the aim to provide relevant and accurate evidence to support their decision-making.
5. Attend IEEP events in-person and online.
6. Spend three weeks in Brussels working alongside the IEEP team in charge of political outreach and strategic partnerships with external stakeholders, and network with those working on the science-policy interface with all travel and accommodation expenses covered.
7. Following a mid-term review scheduled during the mentoring period, participate in a concluding debriefing and feedback process at the end of it.
8. Share your experience with the mentoring scheme at EGU27 (EGU27 wavier and abstract fee provided) and via the EGU’s GeoPolicy Blog.

How to Apply
To apply, please submit a copy of your CV and a short motivation letter (2000 characters including spaces) before midnight 13 February 2026. Your submission should describe why you are applying, include a description of your research area(s), your motivation to engage in policymaking, and what you hope to get out of this mentoring scheme. All candidates should have completed a PhD, and must submit all their documents in English.

If you have any questions, please email EGU Policy Officer Zsanett Gréta Papp (zsanett.papp@egu.eu) or the IEEP Head of Strategic Partnerships Mattia Bonfanti (mbonfanti@ieep.eu).

• EGU policy
  Institute for European Environmental Policy