The Visible Minority Librarians of Canada (ViMLoC) on-demand Research Mentorship Program is now accepting applications from mentors! This is the initial offering of this mentorship program. As an on-demand program, there are no specific end dates. We start with mentor recruitment to have an initial group of mentors. We intend to welcome applications from mentees in Summer 2026. If interested in being a mentor, please submit your information to participate as a mentor. More information below: 

________________________ 

The ViMLoC Research Mentorship on-demand Program is designed for BPOC (Black or People of Color) librarians seeking mentorship for research, scholarship, grant-writing, or publication needs. This is an on‑demand mentoring program designed for mentees who are ready to begin a defined research project and have a general sense of their topic or methodological direction. The expected time commitment for mentors is approximately 8 -10 hours over a two-month period, with the option for the mentoring pair to continue beyond this timeline if both parties wish.

Mentors are paired with librarians who need support in areas such as research methodologies, writing for peer‑reviewed journals, developing data management plans, and preparing grant applications. 

Mentor eligibility:

Mentors must hold an MLIS (or equivalent) degree and have no less than two years of prior research experience demonstrated through publications or other scholarly outputs. They should be committed to supporting BPOC librarians, offering a positive space (safe and open listening environment) for mentees, and ensuring availability during the expected 8–10 hour mentoring period.

Mentors are not required to have ViMLoC membership.

We need mentors with all kinds of experience and skills. In recognition of your contribution to the research mentorship program, we would be happy to provide you with a reference letter. 

Expectations:

Applicants to the program are expected:

• To commit to the full timeframe of their session (i.e. 2-3 months/8-10 hours) from the date that the mentoring pair are introduced;
• To keep in touch with their mentorship partner a minimum of twice per

month (by email, phone, Zoom, or other means of communication upon mutual agreement);

What happens after I apply as a mentor?

Your information will be kept in a mentors database. 

In Summer 2026, we will welcome applications from mentees on an ongoing basis. When a mentee applies to this program, the program administrator will attempt to locate a mentor who has the skills and experiences that matches the mentee’s request. The most suitable mentor will receive an email providing basic details about the mentee’s request, along with a request to provide mentorship. If the mentor is available and agreeable to the request, the match will be confirmed, and an introductory email will be sent to the mentoring pair. 

Mentors and Mentees will be expected to complete an exit survey (online) at the close of the program.

Submit your information to our mentor database via this form:https://forms.gle/JvmTcABKSvLMCQry7

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at vimlocresearchmentorship@gmail.com 

If interested in joining ViMLoC, contact us here: https://vimloc.wordpress.com/contact-us/

ViMLoC Research Mentorship Program Committee
(Aditi Gupta, Maha Kumaran, Zahra Premji)