Inspired by Nature's Mentoring Awards (Nature 471, 547; 2011), the Society of Young Researchers of Slovenia is recognizing the country's research mentors with its own award (see http://go.nature.com/hiddyb).

The society made the first call for nominees in 2009 after gathering information about good mentoring practices and lobbying for support from Slovenia's research institutes and funding bodies. The response exceeded expectations, with 32 nominations for 26 nominees (about 800 mentors were eligible). Nominations remained steady in 2010 (24 nominations and 22 nominees) and more institutions were represented.

Developing and promoting the initiative has paid off. Several prominent research institutions and government bodies, as well as many individual mentors, have expressed their support.