By Scout Nelson
North Dakota State University announces that applications are now available for the 2026 B4U Mentorship Program. The program continues NDSU’s collaboration with Bayer Crop Science and focuses on supporting early career science and engineering students through industry-based mentorship.
The B4U Mentorship Program is designed to connect students with professionals working in real-world agricultural and scientific fields. Through one-on-one mentoring, students gain guidance on career paths, skill development, and innovation challenges. The program aims to help students better understand how classroom learning connects to industry needs.
NDSU launches its first B4U cohort in 2025. Nine students take part in personalized mentoring sessions with experts from Bayer. These sessions help students explore career options, build professional confidence, and learn from experienced industry leaders.
The inaugural program also includes a visit to Bayer’s global headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. During the visit, students experience Bayer’s innovation culture, meet scientists and executives, and take part in leadership and communication workshops.
“The growth, collaboration and inspiration that emerged through this program are a testament to the power of mentorship and the strength of academia-industry partnerships,” says Ana Heilman-Morales, program organizer and NDSU director of agricultural data analytics.
Heilman-Morales explains that the B4U Program is designed for “curious, motivated students ready to engage with real-world challenges and innovate at the intersection of these rapidly evolving disciplines.”
Applications are now open for the 2026 program. Students with interest in plant breeding, gene editing, crop physiology, chemistry, environmental science, engineering, computer science, data science, and data engineering are encouraged to apply. The program welcomes students who want to gain industry insight while developing technical and professional skills.
The B4U Mentorship Program reflects the growing importance of partnerships between universities and industry leaders. By offering hands on mentoring and exposure to innovation environments, the program helps prepare students for future careers in agriculture, science, and engineering.
Additional details about the program, eligibility requirements, and application steps are available through NDSU. Interested students are encouraged to review the information carefully and apply for the opportunity to take part in the 2026 B4U Mentorship Program.
More information, including program details and application instructions, can be found at https://bit.ly/3XSiKoD.
Photo by: north-dakota-state-university
Categories: North Dakota, Education