Research career mentorship

Building a sustainable research career in cloud, edge, and Internet computing requires more than technical expertise. Early-career researchers and PhD students often navigate highly competitive environments, limited institutional resources, and structural constraints that may influence visibility, funding opportunities, and long-term independence.

The Research Career Mentorship session at CCGrid 2026 is designed to provide practical guidance and open discussion on strategic career development in distributed and large-scale computing. The session will combine a short keynote with interactive small-group discussions, creating a space where participants can exchange experiences, explore concrete strategies for building a successful research trajectory, and strengthen international connections.

Eligibility

The event is open to all CCGrid 2026 participants.

Registration date

Participants who would like to attend need to register by April 26, 2026.

Topics

• Building a research trajectory with limited institutional resources
• Strategic publication planning in cluster, cloud, and Internet computing
• Securing first grants and transitioning toward research independence
• Developing international collaborations and scientific visibility
• Moving from mentorship to sponsorship

Keynote

The event keynote will be on designing a research trajectory and building a sustainable research identity in the field.

Following the keynote, participants will join small-group discussions organised around thematic tables, allowing for focused conversations on key aspects of research strategy.

Each discussion table will conclude with a summary highlighting key insights and recommendations shared during the conversation.

Discussion themes

Publishing strategy

Pipeline planning, managing rejection, and balancing conference and journal publications.

Grant strategy

Applying for first projects, navigating funding ecosystems, and building toward larger grants.

Building visibility

Developing an international research profile, invited talks, program committee participation, and networking at conferences.

Growing from low-resource contexts

Building collaborations without large budgets, increasing remote visibility, and leveraging international mobility opportunities.