We are excited to launch a new mentorship initiative within the Entrepreneurship (ENT) Division of the Academy of Management: Crafting Scholarly Identity as an Entrepreneurial Researcher.
This year-long program supports PhD students who aspire to develop their scholarly identity within the field of entrepreneurship. It is built on the idea that becoming an entrepreneurship scholar is itself an entrepreneurial journey - one that involves curiosity, experimentation, reflection, and the gradual shaping of a professional identity.
Through guided mentorship, peer learning, and interactive sessions with senior scholars, participants will explore what it means to "think and act" as entrepreneurship researchers. The program does not center on technical skills or publication milestones. Instead, it invites doctoral students to engage deeply with the question of who they are becoming as scholars, and how their emerging values, interests, and perspectives can shape meaningful contributions to the field.
Participants will join a small international cohort (10-12 PhD Students) and be paired with an experienced mentor from the ENT community. Together, they will engage in conversations and activities that help them:
- Reflect on and strengthen their scholarly identity
- Connect personal motivations with emerging research questions
- Navigate uncertainty with creativity and resilience
- Build meaningful and enduring relationships within the entrepreneurship research community
The program runs January–December 2026 and includes:
- Two one-on-one meetings with assigned mentors
- Three webinars led by senior scholars
- Two peer-circle discussions and cohort reflection sessions
- An in-person gathering during the AOM Annual Meeting
Application Instructions
To apply, please complete the following application form:
https://baylor.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2bs1ZMzzl6A2SiO
Applicants will be asked to upload:
- Curriculum vitae
- A short cover letter describing your motivation for joining the program, your emerging research interests, and what you hope to gain from participating
- Supervisor Support Letter (optional but encouraged)
Application Deadline: December 20, 2025
Notification of Acceptance: Mid January 2026
The program will begin with a virtual kick-off session in late January.
Eligibility
Applicants must be currently enrolled in a PhD program with a research focus or emerging interest in entrepreneurship or related areas. Students from all methodological, theoretical, and geographical backgrounds are welcome.
For any questions, please contact Gabriella Cacciotti (gabriella_cacciotti@baylor.edu)
We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you into a vibrant community of scholars committed to exploring, questioning, and crafting what it means to be an entrepreneurial researcher.
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Gabriella Cacciotti
Assistant Professor
Baylor University
Waco
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