Mentorship scheme
About the ALPSP International Mentorship Scheme
Our award-winning mentoring scheme connects colleagues across the publishing industry and provides them with a wider network of expertise and skills to help foster development and progression. The scheme encourages collaborative learning between the mentor and mentee, where both benefit from the shared dialogue and experience.
Registration is open year‑round, and matching opens on 3 February 2026.
Last year, over 300 people participated and we achieved a Mentoring Satisfaction Score of 4.56 out of 5, highlighting the value and impact of the scheme.
Benefits
- Personal and professional development
- Improved communication and leadership skills
- Two-way exchange of knowledge and learning
- A stronger, more diverse network
- Increased confidence
- Accountability
- Applicable, real-life advice.
The ALPSP International Mentorship Scheme is sponsored by Publishers’ Licensing Services (PLS) and Digital Science
We are delighted to announce that the ALPSP scheme has been awarded the prestigious Mentorloop Impact Award for the second consecutive year. This recognition is based on four key criteria: Shared Philosophy, Opportunity and Accessibility, Engagement and Satisfaction, and Overall Impact.
“We are finding our conversations really beneficial and a space where we can share ideas, experiences and explore areas that are work related but away from the detail of everyday work which is so valuable.”
Who can apply?
- Mentees must work for an organization that is a member of ALPSP
- Mentors can work for member or non-member companies
- As mentorship is skills based, we do not require mentors to have worked for a particular number of years in scholarly publishing
- Mentees can be at any stage in their career
- As a founding member of C4DISC we welcome participants from diverse groups.
How does it work?
To sign-up, complete the registration form in Mentorloop, the bespoke software for this programme, using the button below.
New for 2026!
We’re excited to introduce Self Match to our programme this year. Designed to empower you to take control of your mentorship journey. Whether you're looking for guidance or eager to support others, Self Match gives you the freedom to discover, explore, and connect with the people who inspire you most, helping you identify the match that aligns most with your ambitions and growth.
- More control over who you connect with
- More visibility into the community of mentors and mentees
- More meaningful matches based on shared goals
- More flexibility in building relationships when the time feels right
Self-Match will open on 3 February 2026. You will be able to browse your recommended matches based on our customised algorithm, and search by skills and goals, then select the person you would like to be matched with.
You can send them a brief message explaining why you’ve chosen them and what you’re hoping to achieve. Participants will be able to make one request at a time, and respondents will have 14 days to accept or decline. If they accept, you’re matched and you loop begins. If they decline, you can continue to explore other matches.
And don’t forget our programme is open all year round so new mentors and mentees can join the self-match pool at any time.
We recommend meeting once a month (or at a cadence you agree together), so please ensure you can commit the time before signing up. To get the most from the programme, mentees should come in with clear goals and objectives. Partnerships typically run for 6–12 months, depending on the mentee’s aims.
Our programme coordinators will provide supporting materials and guidance to help you get started.
Contact us via the enquiry form if you have any questions.
“I'm grateful for the chance to connect with someone I wouldn't have met or spoken to outside of this program. I'm really glad I did it! Committing to the program was essential to its success. It gave me a monthly opportunity to reflect on my goals and leadership style—something I rarely do—which positively impacted both my team and myself.”
