2026 Bayer Mentorship Program Q&A
Building relationships, networks, and commitment to soft skill development.

Meet with Penn State's faculty to learn more about this exciting program.

Penn State University is continuing and expanding its partnership with Bayer through the B4U (Bayer University Mentoring) Program, a global one-to-one mentoring initiative designed to engage university partners and support the next generation of scientists.

The upcoming program cycle marks the second year of B4U at Penn State for Crop Sciences and the first year of extending the program to students focusing on and interested in the Pharmaceutical industry. The expansion reflects the growing strength of the Penn State–Bayer relationship and a shared commitment to preparing graduate students for impactful careers at the intersection of academia, industry, and innovation.

The B4U Program pairs selected graduate students with Bayer professionals for structured, individualized mentorship. Through this global program, students gain exposure to industry perspectives, applied research environments, and professional skill development across scientific domains. The experience is designed to complement academic training by providing insight into real-world challenges, interdisciplinary collaboration, and leadership within a global organization. The B4U Mentoring Program is a one-year, immersive professional development experience that pairs graduate students with established Bayer scientists through a personalized, one-to-one mentoring model based on technical alignment and individual soft-skill development needs. Participants engage in Bayer-hosted workshops and seminars designed to strengthen leadership, communication, and industry readiness, while also gaining access to a robust network spanning Bayer and more than 30 North American universities. The program emphasizes career advancement, offering practical guidance on navigating scientific careers in industry, and builds industry awareness by helping students develop business acumen and meaningful relationships with a global industry partner.

Graduate students selected for the program engage directly with Bayer scientists and professionals, gaining guidance on career pathways, insights into translational soft skills, teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation within Crop Sciences and Pharmaceuticals. The program emphasizes professional growth, industry awareness, and the translation of academic research into practical applications.

The B4U Mentoring Program is open to graduate-level students affiliated with the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences and the Colleges of Agricultural Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Science, and Health and Human Development. Students with academic, research, or career interests aligned with Crop Sciences or Pharmaceuticals are encouraged to apply.

Contact

  John Peterson
  jdp228@psu.edu