Formal mentorship refers to mentoring relationships or programs in which an individual or program has specific responsibilities related to the progress and success of the mentee, and where the parties are formally assigned and expected to engage in mentorship. Such relationships may include an evaluative or supervisory function in which the mentor is responsible for overseeing and evaluating the mentee’s progress and success. Informal mentorship refers to mentoring relationships that evolve spontaneously and informally with no specified responsibilities and involve no evaluative or supervisory function.
Definition of formal and informal mentoring relationships