2026 Cohort Mentor Application
Thank you for your interest in serving as a mentor in the AFCEA Small Business Committee's Center of Excellence Mentor-Protégé Program (SBCoE MPP). The 2026 Cohort theme is “From Protégé to Powerhouse: Propelling GovCon Success.”
This six-month, one-on-one mentorship experience connects seasoned GovCon leaders with small business professionals seeking practical guidance and authentic connections to accelerate growth. Your experience as a mentor helps strengthen the AFCEA small business community and supports AFCEA’s mission to promote collaboration, innovation and ethical leadership within the defense, intelligence and federal IT marketplace.
Key Dates
- October 23, 2025: Mentor Applications Open
- November 6, 2025: Mentor Applications Close
- November 6, 2025: Protégé Applications Open
- December 4, 2025: Mentor-Protégé Matches Confirmed
- December 11, 2025: Program Kickoff (In-person at AFCEA headquarters and virtual option)
- January 22, 2026: Virtual Session
- February 26,2026: Virtual Session
- March 19, 2026: Virtual Session
- April 23, 2026: Virtual Session
- May 28, 2026: Capstone Celebration (In-person at AFCEA headquarters and virtual option)
Note: Protégé applications open November 6, 2025 through November 20, 2025. The Program Kickoff and Capstone Celebration events will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM ET. Virtual sessions will be conducted via Microsoft Teams and in-person attendance will be hosted at AFCEA International Headquarters, 4114 Legato Rd., Fairfax, VA.
About the Mentor Role
Mentors serve as trusted advisors, providing insight, encouragement and real-world perspective. The program does not require a specific number of hours per month, but mentors should be available for at least one connection each month with their protégé (virtual or in-person) and be committed to participating through the capstone session. Participation is a benefit of AFCEA Corporate Membership.
Disclaimer: Please do not include proprietary or sensitive information in your application. All information submitted may be shared with the SBCoE leadership team for matching and coordination purposes.
Questions about the program? View our FAQs or contact Alison Gonzalez or Stephanie Miller.
Not yet an AFCEA Corporate Member but wish to participate in the program?
Please contact Bo Inscho at binscho@afcea.org or (703) 631-6187 for information on AFCEA Membership options.