LEA-WH Mentorship logo

LEA-WH Mentorship Platform

2026–2027

Welcome to the mentorship platform for the Leadership for Innovation and Excellence in Accelerating Research on Women’s Health (LEA-WH) Fellowship. This program is a collaboration between the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the U.S. National Academy of Medicine (NAM).

This platform serves as the central operational resource for 2026-2027 LEA-WH inaugural fellows and mentors. It outlines program structure, mentorship expectations for both fellows and mentors, curriculum components, policies, key dates, and any administrative processes.

Program Overview

12-month fellowship

LEA-WH is a 12-month immersive fellowship designed to strengthen leadership, advance research excellence, and accelerate innovation in women’s health across Africa. Through a dual-track structure and integrated mentorship model, fellows will deepen technical expertise while build the leadership capacity required to translate research into scalable impact.

Program activities fall into three main categories:

  • Training curriculum
    Focused on technical competency, research impact, and leadership skills (led by KEMRI)
  • Mentorship
    Co-led by NAM and KEMRI
  • Networking opportunities
    Led by NAM

Travel Funds & Event Attendance

Up to $7,000 USD

Please see our Travel tab for more information regarding event attendance and reimbursement processes.

Fellows will have access to $7,000 USD to utilize for travel, provided the travel event is approved by NAM staff prior to the trip.

Go to Travel Tab

Mentorship Process & Expectations

How mentorship is structured, how matches are made, and how fellows and mentors engage throughout the fellowship year.

The LEA-WH mentorship and networking program is designed to strengthen research capacity, deliver evidence-based and culturally responsive mentoring, expand professional networks, and provide a structured, supportive environment that fosters high-quality mentorship and long-term career success.

Dual-Mentor Model

Each fellow is paired with two distinguished expert mentors: one based in Africa and one in the United States. All mentors are leading global experts in women’s health, providing fellows with both regional insight and international perspective.

Thoughtful Mentor Matching

Mentors and fellows are matched by program staff based on:

  • Career stage & professional development goals
  • Research interests & technical expertise
  • Individual mentorship priorities
    e.g., leadership development, women’s health research skills, regional and international collaboration, entrepreneurship, etc.

Structured & Goal-Oriented Engagement

Each mentor–fellow pair develops a Mentorship Development Plan (MDP) at the outset of the fellowship. The MDP is reviewed and updated monthly to ensure progress, accountability, and alignment with the fellow’s evolving goals.

Integrated Mentorship Platform

The fellowship platform supports meaningful engagement by enabling mentors and Scholars to:

  • Schedule meetings
  • Set and track goals
  • Share documents and resources
  • Monitor progress
  • Communicate concerns directly with NAM and KEMRI staff

Policies

Please review the policies below to support a respectful, professional, and productive fellowship experience.

These policies apply to all mentors and fellows participating in LEA-WH and other National Academies activities.

General Disclaimer on Participation

It is essential to the mission of the National Academies to foster a professional and respectful environment that supports the exchange of evidence-based advice. Participants in our programs are expected to avoid political or partisan statements and commentary on religion and to uphold a culture of mutual respect.

Harassment Policy

The National Academies are committed to ensuring that their programs are conducted in an atmosphere of respect and collegiality, free from discrimination, bullying, and harassment. Mentors and Fellows are advised to review the relevant policy statement, which includes information on reporting incidents of concern.

Harassment Policy (PDF)
Placeholder link — replace with the RhythmQ-uploaded file URL or SharePoint link.
Open document →

Participation Policy

  • Attendance requirement
    Fellows are expected to participate in at least 80% of scheduled activities (live virtual and in-person training sessions).
  • Mentor meetings
    Fellows are expected to meet with their assigned mentors approximately monthly.
  • If you anticipate challenges
    If Fellows encounter challenges that prevent them from meeting the participation standard, they should notify program staff as soon as possible:
  • Non-compliance
    Fellows not meeting the required standard for participation who have not notified program staff of their circumstances may be removed from the program.

Resources

Explore key documents, research, and learning materials that support the LEA-WH mentorship and networking program.

NAM Mentorship & Networking Program Brief

A concise overview of the goals and structure of the mentorship and networking components of the program.

Open document →

The Science of Effective Mentorship in STEMM

The 2019 National Academies consensus study report examining evidence-based mentorship practices in STEMM fields.

View report →

The Science of Mentorship: A STEMM Podcast

A National Academies podcast series exploring research, insights, and practical guidance on effective mentorship.

Listen now →

Travel

Travel guidance, funding details, and the process for requesting approval and reimbursement.

The information below regarding travel funds applies only to LEA-WH fellows.

Travel funding is not currently available for mentors.

Travel Budget

Each fellow will have access to a travel budget of US $7,000 to support participation in relevant professional events.

Examples of events may include (but are not limited to):

  • NAM Emerging Leaders Forum (April)
    Annual two-day assembly of outstanding early- and mid-career professionals in biomedical science, health, health care, and related fields. Fellows and invited attendees explore pressing challenges in health and medicine and stimulate collaborative interdisciplinary solutions. Attendees engage with NAM leaders and members to strengthen knowledge and benefit the NAM and the field of medicine.
  • NAM Annual Meeting (October)
    Gathering of NAM members, including a one-day public session where fellows and scholars and invited guests can hear presentations from NAM members, leading researchers, and government officials on key topics in health and medicine.
  • Other professional conferences
    Fellows may request support to participate in relevant international conferences in any country to present their work, meet mentors in person, and build new professional connections.

What Travel Funds Can Cover

The travel budget will be managed by program staff at NAM and may be used to cover air tickets, hotel accommodations, meals, ground transportation, conference registration fees, and visa fees (if required for the country visited).

Paid directly by program staff
Program staff will pay directly for air and hotel costs and registration fees. Fellows should not buy their own air tickets or pre-pay hotel expenses.
Reimbursed after the trip
Fellows will be reimbursed after the trip for meal per diem and ground transportation. Reimbursement requires original receipts and a completed expense form within stated deadlines.

Visa Support

Program staff will provide visa invitation letters outlining the financial support being provided.

It will be the responsibility of the fellows themselves to submit their own visa applications.

Planning Guidance

Fellows are encouraged to discuss potential travel plans with their mentors to identify events that would be most impactful, and then include participation in these events in their mentorship goals and objectives.

When to Use Your Travel Funds

Fellows are generally expected to use their travel funds within the program year in which they are participating.

However, fellows who complete the year successfully (as determined by program staff) may continue to spend remaining funds in the following year. Any funds not spent by the end of that extension year will revert to the program budget and will not be paid out to the fellows.

How to Request Travel Support

Event Interest Form
Please find the Event Interest Form in this tab. Fellows must complete the form to request approval for proposed travel.
  • What the form requires
    Event details, estimated costs, and a brief justification aligned with fellowship objectives.
  • Allow lead time
    Program staff will review submissions and provide written approval prior to travel. Allow plenty of lead time for approval and logistics.
  • Pre-approval required
    Only pre-approved expenses are eligible for reimbursement.
  • Do not purchase air/hotel directly
    Fellows should not buy their own air tickets or pre-pay hotel expenses; program staff will pay those costs directly to service providers.
  • Reimbursement documentation
    Out-of-pocket reimbursement requires original receipts and a completed expense form submitted within stated deadlines.

This process ensures timely support while allowing fellows to participate in events that advance their research and leadership development.

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Contact Us

LEA-WH Mentorship
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC
Phone: 202-334-1506
Email:   GWHR@nas.edu
LEA-WH Mentorship