Apply for a Mentorship
Ready to take the next step in your career in medical dermatology?
The MDS Mentorship Program provides ~$3,000 in funding and a transformative opportunity to shadow an expert mentor for one month—gaining hands-on experience in managing complex skin disease. This program is open to current dermatology residents, fellows, and junior faculty who are MDS members.
Program Structure
- Rotation Timing: Mentorships take place between April 2027 and June 2028
- Format: Four-week program, with all four weeks completed in person
- Flexibility: Alternate schedules must be pre-approved by MDS with a letter from the applicant’s program director
Why Apply? Hear what past mentees have to say about the experience:
Application Timeline
Each year, applications open in the fall (typically late September/early October) and close in December. If you are a medical student interested in applying, make sure your student membership to MDS is active to get notified when applications open and remain eligible for a mentorship if your application is approved.
Application Opens:
Monday, October 1, 2026
Deadline to Apply:
Monday, December 7, 2026
Application Overview
Please review complete program details and requirements before applying.
Step 1:
Review mentorship program details and application guidelines
Thoroughly review all application materials, program requirements and expectations.
Step 2:
Identify a mentor you’d like to work with and connect with them
Reach out to your chosen mentor (cannot be at your institution) to confirm their availability and interest. You’ll need a letter of recommendation from them to apply.
Step 3:
Develop a
Mentorship Plan
Work with your mentor to define:
- Your proposed goals and outcomes
- The structure of your rotation (at least 2 weeks in person, 4 weeks total)
- Whether your project will include a clinical, research, or educational focus (research is encouraged but not required)
Step 4:
Prepare your application materials
You’ll need:
- A one-page Statement of Proposed Goals (11-point font)
- Your biosketch or CV
- A letter of recommendation from your mentor
- A letter of recommendation from your department chair
- A detailed project plan, including objectives and timeline
- (Optional) A budget proposal for pre-approved funding, if needed in advance
Step 5:
Submit your application
Do not email your materials to MDS. Only applications submitted through the official portal will be reviewed.
Ready to apply?
Click below to begin.
2027-2028 MDS Mentorship Program
Application Requirements & Submission Guidelines
Please carefully review all information below before proceeding to the application.
Mentorship Requirements
The mentorship consists of a four-week experience completed between April 1, 2027, and June 30, 2028.
The four weeks do not need to be consecutive and may be scheduled throughout the program period based on the availability of the mentor and mentee and the objectives of the approved mentorship.
At least two of the four weeks must be completed in person at the mentor’s institution. Up to two weeks may be completed virtually when appropriate to the goals and activities of the mentorship.
The mentor and mentee should determine the most appropriate schedule and format based on the objectives of the proposed experience.
The mentorship should provide sufficient time for the mentee to become meaningfully engaged in the activities outlined in the approved proposal. Mentors and mentees are expected to communicate regularly and work collaboratively toward the established goals.
Proposed Mentorship Experience
The proposed experience may include:
- Clinical observation or other clinical experiences.
- Research initiatives.
- Medical education activities.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Other activities consistent with the mission of the MDS Mentorship Program.
A research component is encouraged but is not required.
Exceptions to the Four-Week Requirement
If circumstances prevent an awardee from completing the mentorship according to the approved four-week schedule, the mentee must submit a formal written request to MDS.
The request must:
- Explain the circumstances requiring the modification.
- Include a proposed alternative schedule.
- Include a letter from the mentee’s Department Chair or Program Director supporting the requested modification.
Any modification to the approved mentorship period or schedule must receive prior approval from MDS.
Application Requirements & Submission Guidelines
All applications must be submitted electronically through the designated MDS Mentorship Program Application Portal.
Application Portal Opens: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Application Deadline: Monday, December 7, 2026
Applications submitted directly to the MDS Administrative Office will not be accepted or reviewed.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required materials are complete and submitted by the deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Required Application Materials
- Completed MDS Mentorship Program online application.
- Applicant bio-sketch.
- Personal statement.
- Mentor letter of support/recommendation.
- Letter of support/recommendation from applicant’s department chair
- Mentorship Proposal (not to exceed one page, 11 pt font minimum), addressing:
- Goals and objectives of the mentorship.
- Proposed activities.
- Proposed schedule and format, including anticipated in-person and virtual participation.
- Anticipated educational and/or professional outcomes.
- How the experience will contribute to the applicant’s career and professional development.
The Mentorship Proposal must be no more than one page using a minimum 11-point font.
Applicants should carefully follow all instructions.
Review & Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed based on:
- The strength and feasibility of the proposed mentorship experience.
- The clarity and relevance of the applicant’s goals and anticipated outcomes.
- The potential impact of the experience on the applicant’s professional development.
- The strength and feasibility of the proposed mentor-mentee relationship and mentorship plan.
- Alignment with the mission and goals of the MDS Mentorship Program.
- Whether similar clinical, research, or educational opportunities are readily available at the applicant’s home institution.
When evaluating applications of comparable merit, consideration may be given to applicants who lack other sources of funding to support the proposed mentorship.
MDS is committed to fostering a mentorship program that supports broad participation and reflects the diversity of the field of medical dermatology and the patients it serves.
International Applicants
International applicants are eligible to apply. Award amounts will be determined using the same criteria applied to all MDS Mentorship Program awardees.
Mentorship Award and Expense Guidelines
Selected mentees will receive a minimum award of $3,000 toward approved direct expenses associated with completing the mentorship. Award amounts may exceed $3,000 based on available program funding and the approved expenses associated with the individual mentorship experience.
Funding is intended to reduce the financial burden of participating in the program and may be used only for expenses directly related to the approved mentorship.
Eligible Expenses
- Transportation and travel related to the mentorship program.
- Lodging/accommodations for the mentorship program.
- Meals during the mentorship period.
- Necessary supplies directly related to approved mentorship activities.
- Other reasonable direct expenses approved by MDS.
Expenses Not Eligible for Funding
- Salary or salary support.
- Stipends or compensation for time away from the mentee’s institution.
- Malpractice insurance.
- Institutional indirect costs or overhead.
- Expenses unrelated to the approved mentorship experience.
The MDS Mentorship Committee will review proposed budgets and reserves the right to determine whether individual expenses are appropriate and eligible for program funding.
Reimbursement & Documentation
Awardees are responsible for maintaining itemized receipts and appropriate documentation for all expenses submitted for reimbursement.
Eligible receipts and expense documentation must be submitted to the MDS Administrative Office within one month following completion of the mentorship experience.
Awardees requesting funding prior to the start of the mentorship must provide appropriate documentation for eligible prepaid expenses, such as airfare or accommodations.
Reimbursement or advance funding will not exceed the approved award amount of $3,000.
Expenses that are not properly documented or fall outside the approved program guidelines may not be reimbursed.
Awardee Responsibilities
Acceptance of an MDS Mentorship Program Award includes a commitment to fully participate in the approved mentorship experience and complete the program’s required follow-up activities.
Awardees are expected to:
- Complete the approved four-week mentorship experience within the designated program period.
- Actively participate in the clinical, research, educational, or professional activities outlined in the approved mentorship proposal.
- Maintain regular communication with their mentor.
- Conduct themselves professionally and in accordance with the policies and expectations of the mentor’s institution.
- Promptly notify the MDS Administrative Office of any significant changes to the approved mentorship plan, schedule, mentor, or activities.
- Maintain appropriate documentation and receipts for expenses submitted for reimbursement.
- Complete a brief post-mentorship evaluation/report as requested by MDS.
- Participate in a presentation about the mentorship experience if requested by MDS.
Upon Completion of the Mentorship
Post-Mentorship Reporting
Awardees will be asked to complete a brief post-mentorship evaluation or report summarizing their experience, accomplishments, and the impact of the mentorship on their professional development.
MDS Annual Meeting Presentation
Awardees may be asked to provide a five-minute presentation summarizing their mentorship experience at the MDS Annual Meeting. Presentation details and scheduling will be coordinated by the MDS Administrative Office.
Awardees and their mentors are strongly encouraged to attend the MDS Annual Meeting.
The Annual Meeting provides an opportunity to recognize mentorship awardees, share the impact of the program with MDS membership, and highlight professional relationships, collaborations, and accomplishments resulting from the mentorship experience.
Important Dates
Application Portal Opens: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Application Deadline: Monday, December 7, 2026
Mentorship Program Period: April 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028
Expense Documentation: Due within one month following completion of the mentorship experience
Questions?
Questions regarding the MDS Mentorship Program, application requirements, eligible expenses, or award administration may be directed to the MDS Administrative Office at mds@sidnet.org.
We appreciate your interest in the Medical Dermatology Society Mentorship Program and look forward to supporting the professional development of the next generation of leaders in medical dermatology.
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