ASCO’s Virtual Mentoring Program (VMP) pairs members with a mentor outside of their institution to address unmet career development needs of:
- Practicing Oncologists
- Populations Underrepresented in Medicine
- Women in Oncology
- Oncologists in Training
The 2024 ASCO Virtual Mentoring Program term will begin in March 2024 and will last up to 12 months. Mentees will end the mentoring relationship before the launch of the incoming VMP year in March 2025.
Eligibility
Applications for the 2024 Virtual Mentoring Program will be accepted beginning November 15, 2023, until 11:59 PM ET on January 21, 2024.
To apply for the Virtual Mentoring Program, applicants must:
- Be a full ASCO Member (or submit a membership application in conjunction with the application).
- Make a minimum time commitment of one hour per month during the program period.
Application Instructions
To apply, please initiate your application through the Application Portal. All materials must be in English and must be submitted through the online portal. Paper applications or applications sent by e-mail or fax will not be accepted.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your specific mentoring needs, please email ASCO Professional Development.
After completion of the application and acceptance into the program, ASCO will ask mentees to identify potential mentors from a list that would suit their professional needs and goals. The mentor preferences are then reviewed by ASCO staff who assign mentors based on these preferences and other criteria. The pairings are shared with the mentee and mentor for approval before being finalized. After a mentor-mentee pair is finalized, the mentee should work with their assigned mentor to determine a schedule, send calendar appointments, share goals, develop a mentoring plan, and initiate all communication with the mentor.
Please note: ASCO staff will do their best to match a mentee with a mentor from their preferred list, however, due to the number of applicants and limited number of available mentors, this cannot be guaranteed.
Mentees who wish to work alongside their assigned mentor in clinical trials or research, exceptionally specific mentoring goals outside the purview of the program or require an in-person component to their participation should not apply to the VMP.
If you are unsure if your mentoring goals are appropriate for a VMP mentor or you are looking for a mentoring opportunity outside the scope of VMP, please email ASCO Professional Development to let ASCO staff know more about your mentoring needs.
Become a Mentor
Fellows and practicing oncologists are strongly encouraged to apply to become mentors.
To serve as a mentor, please complete the Mentor Interest Form.
Please contact ASCO Professional Development Staff with any questions and for information on additional mentoring opportunities.