Discovery Mentorship Program

Great mentors focus on the whole person

The Discovery Mentorship Program empowers the innovators of tomorrow’s breakthroughs, igniting early-career researchers with unparalleled mentorship, collaboration, and a community committed to scientific innovation

What's in it for the Researchers

Professional Development

Through targeted skill-building in areas such as grant writing, research operations management, communication, and leadership, the program equips researchers with the diverse skill set needed for success in the scientific arena.

Mentorship

The Discovery Mentorship Program leverages the insights of experienced researchers, past Discovery Awardees, and industry experts.

Community and Collaboration

The Discovery Mentorship Program nurtures a vibrant network of peer and established researchers, that fosters an environment of collaboration and mutual growth. This sense of community is further amplified during the annual Discovery Open House, a hub of scientific exchange, networking, and national recognition.

Thank you again for the fantastic opportunity. My mentor is the very best (she has scheduled to meet with me once every two months!). It was wonderful to get to meet such enthusiastic and productive scientists. I really appreciate it. I came back feeling refreshed and ready for a great summer of research!

Lindsay Cahill - Banting Discovery Awardee 2020

In Partnership With

The William And Nona Heaslip Foundation

The Banting Way: Mentorship, Mastery, and Mutual Growth

In the ever-evolving story of the Banting Research Foundation, 2023 marked the launch of the Discovery Mentorship Program – a bold new initiative that extends our commitment to early-career researchers (ECRs) beyond funding, offering meaningful mentorship, professional development, and a vibrant research community.

At its core, the program connects ECRs with a network of experienced mentors and past awardees, fostering skills in grant writing, leadership, communication, and knowledge translation. The goal is to support the next generation of Canadian health innovators – not only through financial backing but with the guidance needed to thrive.

In partnership with Shift Health, we launched the first Discovery Open House in 2023. Their expertise in program development helped shape a rich, thoughtful experience that laid the groundwork for future mentorship programming.

That vision carried forward into 2025, when we brought together researchers from diverse disciplines and regions across Canada for the second Discovery Open House. These events continue to provide dynamic spaces for scientific exchange, collaboration, and career development.

We are profoundly grateful to the William and Nona Heaslip Foundation for their magnanimous gift, which made it possible for Banting Discovery Awardees from across Canada to attend the 2025 Career Development Day. Thanks to their support, early-career researchers from institutions beyond Toronto – including Université de Montréal, Université Laval, Memorial University, Université de Sherbrooke, Trent University, University of New Brunswick, Carleton University, Queen’s University, and Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières – were able to participate in this vital professional opportunity.

As the Discovery Mentorship Program continues to grow, it reflects the Foundation’s enduring mission: to nurture bold ideas, build community, and support the development of exceptional scientific leaders in Canada and beyond.

We need your help

Your support is the spark that ignites the next wave of transformative health research. By investing in the Banting Research Foundation, you’re not just funding studies—you’re fueling innovation, championing early-career scientists, and driving breakthroughs that change lives. The future of discovery awaits us. Join us in shaping that future, and together, let’s embark on this exciting journey of scientific exploration and human advancement.