The CTBTO Mentoring Programme

The CTBTO Mentoring Programme is a structured, time-bound mentoring cycle aimed at early-career women in STEM, nuclear non-proliferation, and disarmament. It pairs mentees with experienced professionals connected to the CTBTO’s work and combines one-on-one mentoring with several thematic group sessions that explain how the Organization operates and how technical expertise supports the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). 

Launched in 2022, the programme is designed to offer unique and practical development opportunities for women in areas where they remain under-represented, to enhance their competitiveness in these fields. It gives mentees space to set goals, ask direct questions and navigate career choices with greater confidence, while gaining a clearer understanding of the skills and pathways underpinning nuclear-test-ban verification efforts. 

Since its inception, the CTBTO has connected early-career women with technical experts from across the Organization, as well as with specialists in National Data Centres (NDCs), national laboratories and institutions that contribute directly to the CTBTO’s mission to ban nuclear weapon test explosions. 

The initiative is currently funded by the European Union. 

Many STEM, nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament fields continue to see women under-represented, particularly in senior and highly specialised roles. The imbalance is most evident where access to professional networks, mentorship and international exposure is limited. 

By supporting women at earlier stages of their careers across all six CTBTO geographical regions, with particular attention given to under-represented regions, the programme advances gender equality and helps build a stronger pipeline of qualified women for roles in these fields worldwide. In doing so, it also reinforces capacity building connected to the CTBT’s verification regime. 

The mentoring relationship is mutually beneficial. This intergenerational exchange offers fresh perspectives on both sides and creates space for continued personal and professional growth. 

The programme is built around two complementary strands. 

1) One-on-one mentoring and personalised guidance 

Each mentee is paired with a mentor for structured goal-oriented conversations across the programme cycle. Mentors are experienced professionals drawn from within the CTBTO, including areas connected to the International Monitoring System (IMS), the International Data Centre (IDC) and On-Site Inspection (OSI), as well as experts from NDCs and national laboratories or institutions in States Signatories. 

Mentoring focuses on real questions and real decisions, including: 

The programme is delivered in a hybrid format. All group sessions take place online. Where possible, mentoring pairs based in the same location are encouraged to meet in person, including at the CTBTO’s headquarters in Vienna. In some cases, pairs are matched based on a shared native language, in addition to the programme’s working language of English, to promote multilingualism and foster deeper personal connections.