Now open for applications! Deadline to apply: Tuesday 15th December 2026
We are delighted to announce that the 2027 Equator Mentoring Network will run from January to August 2027.
This work is led by Dr Natasha Dowey (Sheffield Hallam) and Prof Sam Giles (University of Birmingham) with oversight from the Equator Steering Committee. It is funded by a network of NERC Doctoral Landscape Award holding universities.
What is the Equator Mentoring Network?
Our mentoring network is ringfenced for ethnic minority students, and aims to increase retention into postgraduate environmental* research by improving student experience and sense of belonging.
Successful applicants will be matched with two mentors, with the aim of one academic and one non-academic professional mentor. Mentoring will take place in 6 online sessions with each mentor across the 6 month period (with 12 sessions in total for each mentee).
Participation in the Equator Mentoring Network is fully funded. All mentors and mentees are offered remuneration for their time. We also have funding available to support travel costs for an in-person meeting between the mentee and each of their mentors.
*In Equator’s work, “Environmental research” includes physical geography, earth science, environmental science, ecology, and related multidisciplinary subjects aligned with the UK Natural Environment Research Council areas of interest. Equator is unfortunately not able to support those working purely in human/social disciplines.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants who want to apply to be mentees must:
- self-identify as being from an ethnic minority background
- be 18 or older
- be undertaking, considering, or a graduate of undergraduate or postgraduate degree studies related to environmental research.
- have a UK bank account
Previous participants in Equator interventions are welcome to apply.
International students currently studying in the UK are eligible to apply, but please note that a certain percentage of places are prioritised for home UK students.
Applicants who want to apply to be mentors must:
- be 18 or older
- not currently be students
- have personal or professional experience related to environmental research
- be based in the UK
- have a UK bank account
How do I apply?
If you are interested in being part of the mentoring network:
1. Read the information sheet:
2. To apply, complete the form below by 5pm on Tuesday 15th December 2026:
Places on the Mentoring Network will be allocated by early January 2027, and there will be an onboarding welcome session in mid January. You can find out more about our past Mentoring Networks here. For enquiries, please contact EquatorResearchGroup@gmail.com.
Spread the word! Download our 2027 Mentoring Network Flyer here: