Call for BFEF Scholarly Project Mentor

STFM is seeking a scholarly project mentor for the popular Behavioral Science/Family Systems Educator Fellowship. Read about the position requirements and how to apply.

January 25, 2026 — STFM is seeking an enthusiastic scholarly project mentor for the popular and growing Behavioral Science/Family Systems Educator Fellowship (BFEF).This individual will enjoy guiding BFEF fellows through designing a scholarly project, submitting an IRB, conducting the project, and creating a poster. This is a rewarding role where mentors work closely with the fellows, helping them set a career trajectory that will incorporate scholarship.

Expectations for BFEF Scholarly Project Mentor

Attend STFM Annual Conference in May 2026 and May 2027
2026: Attend one morning meeting and meet individually with mentees as schedules allow; attend fellows’ poster fair
2027: Attend fellows’ poster fair; attend BFEF fellowship evening graduation
Attend STFM Quality Practice Improvement Conference in September 2026 (if feasible)
Meet individually with mentees as schedules allow
Meet regularly virtually with fellows throughout the year to guide them through their scholarly project and poster
Communicate regularly with the BFEF Scholarly Project Director

Qualifications of BFEF Scholarly Project Mentor

Love of and experience with mentoring and scholarship
Availability for conference attendance and regular meetings with fellows
Familiarity with the fellowship is a plus

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a 500-600 word brief statement by Friday, February 27, 2026, to Sydney LeClair (email linked below). Please incorporate into the statement:

Why you are interested in serving as a Scholarly Project Mentor
Experience with scholarly projects and research
Experience with research mentorship

Overview of the STFM Behavioral Science/Family Systems Educator Fellowship

This competitive, yearlong fellowship is for family medicine faculty who have responsibility for coordinating or teaching the behavioral science/family systems curriculum. Preference is given to applicants with 1–5 years of experience as a faculty member.

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Tips for Using STFM's AI Assistant

STFM's AI Assistant is designed to help you find information and answers about Family Medicine education. While it's a powerful tool, getting the best results depends on how you phrase your questions. Here's how to make the most of your interactions:

1. Avoid Ambiguous Language

Be Clear and Specific: Use precise terms and avoid vague words like "it" or "that" without clear references.

Example:

Instead of: "Can you help me with that?"

Try: "Can you help me update our Family Medicine clerkship curriculum?"

Why this is important: Ambiguous language can confuse the AI, leading to irrelevant or unclear responses. Clear references help the chatbot understand exactly what you're asking.

2. Use Specific Terms

Identify the Subject Clearly: Clearly state the subject or area you need information about.

Example:

Instead of: "What resources does STFM provide?"

Try: "I'm a new program coordinator for a Family Medicine clerkship. What STFM resources are available to help me design or update clerkship curricula?"

Why this is better: Providing details about your role ("program coordinator") and your goal ("design or update clerkship curricula") gives the chatbot enough context to offer more targeted information.

3. Don't Assume the AI Knows Everything

Provide Necessary Details:The STFM AI Assistant has been trained on STFM's business and resources. The AI can only use the information you provide or that it has been trained on.

Example:

Instead of: "How can I improve my program?"

Try: "As a program coordinator for a Family Medicine clerkship, what resources does STFM provide to help me improve student engagement and learning outcomes?"

Why this is important: Including relevant details helps the AI understand your specific situation, leading to more accurate and useful responses.

4. Reset if You Change Topics

Clear Chat History When Switching Topics:

If you move to a completely new topic and the chatbot doesn't recognize the change, click the Clear Chat History button and restate your question.

Note: Clearing your chat history removes all previous context from the chatbot's memory.

Why this is important: Resetting ensures the AI does not carry over irrelevant information, which could lead to confusion or inaccurate answers.

5. Provide Enough Context

Include Background Information: The more context you provide, the better the chatbot can understand and respond to your question.

Example:

Instead of: "What are the best practices?"

Try: "In the context of Family Medicine education, what are the best practices for integrating clinical simulations into the curriculum?"

Why this is important: Specific goals, constraints, or preferences allow the AI to tailor its responses to your unique needs.

6. Ask One Question at a Time

Break Down Complex Queries: If you have multiple questions, ask them separately.

Example:

Instead of: "What are the requirements for faculty development, how do I register for conferences, and what grants are available?"

Try: Start with "What are the faculty development requirements for Family Medicine educators?" Then follow up with your other questions after receiving the response.

Why this is important: This approach ensures each question gets full attention and a complete answer.

Examples of Good vs. Bad Prompts

Bad Prompt

"What type of membership is best for me?"

Why it's bad: The AI Chat Assistant has no information about your background or needs.

Good Prompt

"I'm the chair of the Department of Family Medicine at a major university, and I plan to retire next year. I'd like to stay involved with Family Medicine education. What type of membership is best for me?"

Why it's good: The AI Chat Assistant knows your role, your future plans, and your interest in staying involved, enabling it to provide more relevant advice.

Double Check Important Information

While the AI Chat Assistant is a helpful tool, it can still produce inaccurate or incomplete responses. Always verify critical information with reliable sources or colleagues before taking action.

Technical Limitations

The Chat Assistant:

Cannot access external websites or open links
Cannot process or view images
Cannot make changes to STFM systems or process transactions
Cannot access real-time information (like your STFM Member Profile information)

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Qualifications of BFEF Scholarly Project Mentor

How to Apply

Overview of the STFM Behavioral Science/Family Systems Educator Fellowship

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AI Chatbot Tips

Tips for Using STFM's AI Assistant

1. Avoid Ambiguous Language

Example:

2. Use Specific Terms

Example:

3. Don't Assume the AI Knows Everything

Example:

4. Reset if You Change Topics

5. Provide Enough Context

Example:

6. Ask One Question at a Time

Example:

Examples of Good vs. Bad Prompts

Bad Prompt

Good Prompt

Double Check Important Information

Technical Limitations

STFM AI Assistant