As the UK accelerates towards net zero by 2050 and securing its cleaner energy future, batteries will play an essential part in enabling decarbonisation across transport, energy storage, and manufacturing.

 

The government’s 2030 vision is for the UK to have a globally competitive battery supply chain that supports economic prosperity and the net zero transition. A thriving, innovative and collaborative battery ecosystem is pivotal to realising this vision.  

 

To help strengthen this ecosystem, we are launching a fully funded mentoring programme to support women at any stage in their career and early career professionals with 0 to 5 years' experience, including final-year PhD students, those working in research technology organisations and directly in industry.

 

This programme is designed to link the full battery value chain - from materials and cell manufacturing to integration, battery end-users, recycling, and end-of-life - creating meaningful connections and supporting the next generation of talent.  

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We are seeking to recruit mentors and mentees from across the UK batteries and critical materials value chain.

• Mentors: Experienced professionals from across the batteries and critical materials value chain. No prior mentoring experience needed as training and support provided.

• Mentees can select to join one of the following 2 groups: (1) Women with any level of experience, (2) early career individuals (0–5 years' experience).

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The programme has two key strands: Mentor training and structured mentoring sessions:

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Strand 1: Mentor training

A key aspect of this programme is ensuring mentors are supported and empowered to enable them to maximise their mentoring impact. The training is aimed at building confidence and a toolkit for new mentors whilst also providing those with previous mentor experience a fresh perspective and additional strategies.

 

The training will focus on:

• Guidance and support strategies: Providing frameworks for effective mentoring, including goal setting, feedback delivery, and problem-solving.

• Adaptive mentoring and coaching tools: Enhancing the mentor’s ability to understand and respond to the mentee’s needs.

• Continuous development: Mentors will be given resources and access to a support network to further their own professional development during and after the programme.

 

Strand 2: Structured mentoring sessions

Participants will be carefully matched based on alignment of goals and expectations, ensuring a productive and supportive mentoring relationship.

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Eligibility:

• Mentors must work in the UK batteries or critical minerals value chain and have professional experience in the supply chain, for example. materials/manufacturing, cells, packs, modules, battery integration, recycling/end-of-life, end-user (automotive or non-automotive).

• Mentors should have a desire to give back and support the next generation of leaders (prior mentoring experience is not a requirement).

• Mentees must work or research in the UK batteries or critical minerals value chain and fit one of the two priority groups above (women and non-binary, or early career).

• Mentees should be individuals looking to advance in their careers and gain insight into leadership and innovation within their sector.

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Key details:

As this is a funded programme, there is a requirement to fully commit to the programme. The time commitment is around 4 hours a month for each mentoring relationship from December 2026 to March 2027, with an additional time of around 6 – 8 hours for mentor training up front for mentors in November 2026. All training will be delivered virtually, and mentoring sessions are also expected to be delivered virtually, unless matched pairs are able and choose to arrange in-person meetings.​

 

Key dates:

- Discovery Webinar to find out more and ask questions: 12:30pm to 1pm on Monday 21 Sept 2026.

- Application deadline: 11:59pm on Sunday 4 October 2026.

- Selected participants will be notified by: Friday 23 October 2026.

- Mentor Training will start on: Monday 2 November 2026.

- Mentoring Meetings will run: December 2026 to March 2027.

- Programme completes: at the end of March 2027.