You are eligible to apply if you are a woman at MHH and meet one of the following criteria:

• A physician in her second year or later of residency training;

• A doctoral candidate in any field; or

We especially welcome first-generation female researchers and physicians, women responsible for caring for family members, women with disabilities, and women with an immigrant background.

The program and mentoring sessions are conducted in English. You do not need to know German to participate.

By the end of the year, you will have:

• An experienced mentor in your field, and a relationship you can keep beyond the programme;

• A peer cohort across disciplines who understand the path you’re on;

• A clearer career strategy and the practical skills to act on it;

• A lasting network inside MHH that doesn’t end when the programme does.

ECM runs over twelve months and rests on three pillars:

• Mentoring — a one-to-one partnership with an experienced mentor 
• Workshops — practical sessions on the skills that shape an academic and clinical career.
• Networking — regular informal get-togethers (Stammtische) that build a cohort you can rely on across the year.

Workshops are full-day sessions, with around [6-7] across the year. The full schedule is shared at the start of the programme and planned in advance, so you can fit it around clinical and research duties.

Balancing research with caregiving? ECM schedules workshops in advance so you can plan around them, and caregiving is something we value in applications, not a disadvantage. See also the MHH Familienservice offers

A two-way commitment.

What we provide: a matched mentor, a peer group, workshop days across the year planned in advance, networking events, and a closing celebration.

What we ask: that you take part actively in workshops and events, contribute to a scientific conference [with a poster or talk, and a publication where possible], help us evaluate the programme, and write a short profile for the final brochure.

The fee: a €125 contribution covers catering across the year’s events. [If this is a barrier, please contact us — we don’t want cost to stop you applying.]

The next application period starts from 10.August 2026, so please subscribe to the e-mail list (e-mail to earlycareer@mh-hannover.de ) to make sure you don't miss any information.

How to Apply;

Step 1: Submit your written application during the application period with the following documents.

Application documents:

• Cover letter: Motivation & Expectations - Please describe what goals you have regarding your future career / career planning. How can mentoring support you in achieving your career goals? What would you personally like to achieve by participating in the mentoring program? Please briefly state what expectations you have of the cooperation with the mentor. If available, please provide information on your socio-political commitment and / or parenting or caregiving responsibilities.
• Curriculum vitae in tabular form on previous education and professional career (in descending order)
• Profile sheet here

Please submit all application documents in one PDF document:

• by e-mail to earlycareer@mh-hannover.de

Step 2: You will receive a confirmation of receipt after the end of the application period. After reviewing all applications, the candidates will be selected in cooperation with the Commission for Gender Equality (KfG). This usually takes four weeks. Please refrain from asking about the status of your application during this time, thank you.

Step 3: If you are accepted into the program , you will be matched and we will inform you of your mentoring group. You will sign the mentoring agreement and the participation fee of 125 euros will be due.