UCSF Clinical & Translational Science Institute Page 2 of 6
Mentor Development Program
Sample Individual Mentoring Development Plan (IMDP)
DATE FOR NEXT MEETING WITH MENTOR:
INSTRUCTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL MENTORING DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IMDP)
CAREER GOALS
On page 1 of the IMDP, succinctly list your goals for the next 5 years:
Goal #1. Personal career
This should reflect a leadership or administrative title you see yourself holding in 5-10 years, such as Director
of a Program or Center, or Chair of a Department. For example, a personal career goal could be: "To lead a
multidisciplinary Center for Human Genetics." Consider the translational impact of your goals.
Goal #2. Research population and outcome
This should relate to a global vision of how your research will ultimately improve human health. The focus
should be on the clinical population and health outcome(s). For example, one research goal could be: "To
improve the quality of life for men with prostate cancer." Consider the translational impact of your research
goal.
Goal #3. Research methods
This should relate to design and methods rather than the patient population of interest. For example, one goal
could be: "To reduce health care costs through the application of cost-effectiveness analyses." Consider how
your mentor(s) can facilitate this goal.
CAREER OBJECTIVES For each Goal, succinctly list 2-3 objectives that, when met, will result in
achieving your goal. These objectives are typically related to a "milestone" such as Promotion/Tenure, an
R01 or K award, or appointment to a prestigious national scientific society or committee.
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES For each objective, indicate any educational/training activity you will engage
in to help meet that objective.
RESEARCH PROJECTS For each objective, indicate any research/scholarly activity that will help you
meet that objective.
PRODUCTS & DATES For each objective, indicate what individual products (abstracts, publications, grant
proposals, presentations) are expected to contribute to your ability to achieve that objective. Also indicate
the general date expected to accomplish this product.
Guiding Questions to Assess Your Challenges and Support:
1. What challenges or obstacles must you address?
2. What steps can you and your mentor(s) identify for overcoming them?
3. Is there anything or anyone that will influence completion of your objective(s)?
4. Where can you find feedback, support and resources? An example might include a tendency to
procrastinate, and the need to commit to the project. One step would be to inform your mentor and
supervisor and be more accountable. Another example might be lack of travel support to a conference
and exploring financial support with your mentor or supervisor.
5. Are there personal issues at work or home that need to be addressed?
Work: Any problems with financial/administrative issues, colleagues, resources, etc.?
Home: Are there any problems at home that someone can help with? How is your quality of life?
Page 2 of the IMDP can provide a working document for current/planned activities as well as time lines.
The first 2 pages serve as an initial IMDP.
The following 3 pages serve as an IMDP progress report. You and your mentor should decide on the frequency
of these progress reports. You may want to initially consider every 3 months and move to every 6 months if
everything is going well and according to plan. If there are unanticipated challenges that arise, you may want to
meet every month or every three months depending on your percent effort in other areas.