EXCELLENTIA peer advisory and mentorship network

EXCELLENTIA is the ENRICH GLOBAL network that connects expertise across our ecosystem and beyond. It operates worldwide, across the thematic priorities of ENRICH GLOBAL members and partners, through two complementary branches:

  • a peer advisory branch for experienced professionals exchanging guidance on a peer-to-peer basis;
  • a mentorship branch supporting early-career specialists in their growth into future leaders.

The same person may participate in both branches, in different roles.

EXCELLENTIA

A ready-made tool for organisations and projects

EXCELLENTIA is ideal for projects with mentorship or peer advisory components, such as COST Actions, Horizon Europe projects, and similar initiatives. Consortia can plug directly into EXCELLENTIA’s tested concept and operational matching platform on the CONNECT hub, ready to set up your own thematic mentorship or peer advisory network, with own branding.

EXCELLENTIA

The two branches of EXCELLENTIA:

peer advisory and mentorship

Peer advisory branch

For experienced innovators, researchers, industry representatives, innovation managers, policy practitioners, and standards experts. Bilateral, topic-specific pairings between professionals who need targeted guidance on a specific topic and are well placed to provide it on another topic. The logic is symmetrical: the same person can be a peer advisor in one pairing and a peer seeking advice in another. Indicative topics include international R&I collaboration, technical standards, market entry, regulatory navigation, public funding instruments, and joint demonstration activities.

Mentorship

Mentorship branch

For early-career specialists – including master’s students, doctoral candidates, and early-stage researchers and innovators – paired with senior mentors. The aim is capacity-building, bridging the intergenerational trust gap, mobility opportunities, multidisciplinary exposure, and pathways into research excellence programmes.

How it works

EXCELLENTIA provides mentorship and/or peer advisory concept with a light facilitation framework, a matching platform, a confidentiality framework, and visibility through ENRICH GLOBAL channels. Pairings are topic-specific. Collective sessions could be attached to online events across thematics and branches, allowing exchange across pairings on shared topics. Moderation is done by the projects themselves, unless this is delegated to ENRICH GLOBAL.

Who can take part

EXCELLENTIA is open to participants worldwide.

  • The peer advisory branch addresses experienced professionals from any sector relevant to ENRICH GLOBAL thematic groups or communities.
  • The mentorship branch addresses early-career researchers and innovators.

Win-win

For those seeking guidance (peers and mentees):

  • A direct line to a counterpart or senior specialist with relevant first-hand experience.
  • Faster orientation on specific questions.
  • Access to a wider network

For those offering voluntary guidance (peer advisors and mentors):

  • A structured way to extend their network and knowledge.
  • Visibility as a recognised EXCELLENTIA peer advisor or mentor, showcased via ENRICH GLOBAL channels.
  • Speaking opportunities at ENRICH GLOBAL events (subject to programme).
  • Access to insights from counterparts that inform their own work.
  • Identification of potential future joint activities and partnerships.

Governance

EXCELLENTIA is set up and operated by ENRICH GLOBAL. Governance is kept light and proportionate to the voluntary nature of the network. ENRICH GLOBAL oversees the integrity of the process, provides the platform for matching (the CONNECT hub), and addresses specific issues as they arise. It also provides conceptual support and hosting suitable for initiatives in which its members are involved.

ENRICH GLOBAL does not intervene in the search for advisors or mentors, nor in their moderation, which remain the responsibility of the relevant initiatives, groups, or organisations.

Governance