Building Connections Across the Global Pain Community
IASP is committed to advancing pain research, education, and care worldwide. Mentorship plays an important role in this mission by helping members build skills, expand professional networks, and navigate opportunities for research and career development.
Through the IASP Global Mentoring Pilot Program, IASP aims to support members at key stages of professional growth while strengthening global capacity in pain research and care.
Mentor applications open 1 June 2026. Mentee applications open 1 July 2026.
Mentoring Structure
Eligible mentees will be matched with mentors based on their goals, program track, and mentor expertise.
Mentoring relationships are intended to be mentee-led. Mentors and mentees are encouraged to meet three to four times over a one-year period, with one meeting taking place during the 2026 World Congress on Pain when possible.
The structure of each mentoring relationship may be adapted to meet the needs of the mentee and mentor. Some participants may seek short-term guidance on a specific issue, while others may benefit from broader career discussions or longer-term mentorship.
IASP will provide resources to support participants during the pilot program. Mentors and mentees will also be asked to provide feedback to help assess the pilot and inform future development.
Key Dates
- 1 June 2026: Mentor Applications Open
- 30 June 2026: Mentor Applications Close
- 1 July 2026: Mentee Applications Open
- 31 July 2026: Mentee Applications Close
- August 2026: Matching Period
- September 2026: Pairing Notifications Sent
- October 2026: Program Session at World Congress
- 31 December 2027: Program Concludes
- 31 January 2028: Final Reports Due
Program Tracks
Early and Mid-Career Researcher Track
This track is open to IASP members who are early- or mid-career researchers, trainees, clinicians, or junior researchers in a pain-related field.
For this program, Early and Mid-Career Researchers are defined as individuals within 10 years post-PhD. Mentees may request general mentoring or mentoring focused on a specific IASP grant, prize, award, or fellowship.
This track will be conducted in collaboration with the IASP Early Career Network.
Low- and Middle-Income Settings Track
This track is open to IASP members who are trainees, clinicians, or junior researchers in a pain-related field from low- and middle-income settings.
For this program, low- and middle-income settings include low- and middle-income countries as well as disadvantaged populations in high-income countries, including rural or regional communities, Indigenous peoples, culturally diverse groups, and refugees.
The pilot will be conducted in collaboration with ASEAPS, with an initial focus on building research capacity in Southeast Asia. IASP members from Southeast Asian countries will be prioritized, although applicants from other regions may be considered.
Mentor and Mentee Eligibility
Mentors
Applications for mentors open 1 June 2026.
Mentors must be current IASP members with experience as clinician-researchers and/or research scientists in a pain-related field.
Mentors should have experience mentoring, supervising, sponsoring, or supporting junior colleagues and be able to participate in mentee-led meetings for at least one year.
For the Early and Mid-Career Researcher track, mentors should be more than 10 years post-PhD.
Mentees
Applications for mentees open 1 July 2026.
Mentees must be current IASP members and should be prepared to initiate meetings, set agendas, and help guide the focus of the mentoring relationship.
Mentees may apply to the track that best reflects their career stage, professional background, and mentoring goals.
Up to 30 mentees are expected to be accepted for each track during the pilot phase, subject to mentor availability.
For questions about the IASP Global Mentoring Pilot Program, please contact the IASP Office.