Apply for the Maynard Fellowship Program for editors and managers

In 2024, the Maynard 200 Fellowship will prioritize the professional development training and year-long mentorship for frontline editors and managers. Our tailored curriculum addresses the various critical issues, challenges, and tensions that editors and managers face on a daily basis in the newsroom, particularly those who have recently transitioned to higher leadership roles. We have recognized the urgent need for fundamental editing and management proficiency in news teams, as expressed by news executives, and our practical coursework is designed to build these essential skills.

Under the guidance of esteemed journalism executives and relevant experts, our graduates are empowered to lead newsrooms that prioritize equity, resilience, and a sense of belonging, especially in the face of ongoing industry disruptions and technological advancements. This impactful fellowship experience includes two weeks of in-person training sessions, supplemented by additional sessions, office hours, and year-round program support.

Thanks to the continuous support from our funders, including Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Hearthland Foundation, and McClatchy, the Maynard 200 Fellowship remains a tuition-free program.

During the first training week in March, the Maynard Institute will cover the expenses for hotel lodging for fellows. However, fellows and/or their employers are responsible for directly covering the costs of airfare and/or ground transportation to Fort Worth, Texas. If needed, the Maynard Institute can provide assistance in booking airfare through our contracted travel agent for March travel.

For the second training week in July, both airfare and hotel accommodations for fellows will be covered by the Maynard Institute, thanks to the generous funding from The Hearthland Foundation. Fellows are required to book their July airfare through the Maynard Institute’s contracted travel agent.

In 2024, the Maynard 200 Fellowship will select a cohort of 15 participants, and the curriculum will feature various highlights.

Training Week 1: Editing Leadership

March 11- 15, 2024

• Building trust and effective editing relationships
• Coaching for story & Editing triage
• Finding the heart of the story through 5 focusing questions
• Hands-on Editing & Hands-on Writing workshops
• Evaluating and coaching successful story pitches
• Mounting and managing major coverage projects
• Developing and managing breaking news coverage
• The Fault Lines® Methodology/ Focus: Fault Lines® in News Coverage
• Gallup Strengths Assessment & 1:1 Coaching

Training Week 2: Management Leadership

July 15 – 19, 2024

• Coaching Workshops: Success in Management & Effective Leadership
• Leading Difficult Conversations and Managing Conflict
• Managing through Authenticity
• Managing Up, Down and Across Generations
• Building Resilience & Mental Well-Being in Teams
• Negotiation Strategies
• Fault Lines® in Management

The program will also offer comprehensive frameworks and cultural competency to fellows who are seeking guidance in reporting on the ongoing war and humanitarian crises in the Middle East. Additionally, it will provide political coverage for the significant 2024 U.S. presidential elections.

At the Maynard Institute, we believe in equal opportunities for all. We are dedicated to addressing the lack of representation of people of color and other historically disadvantaged groups in media-related professions.

If you are interested, we encourage you to start your application today! The deadline for Maynard 200 applications is Monday, February 12, 2024, at 11:59 pm PST. Please submit your application via the Google form.

ELIGIBILITY

• Who is eligible to apply?
• We are inviting newsroom editors and managers who are interested in advancing their careers and seeking hands-on editing and effective management skills.
• Applicants living outside the United States must be affiliated with or contributing content to a U.S.-based media outlet or organization.
• Maynard Institute programs are open to all. We are committed to addressing the under-representation of people of color and other historically disadvantaged groups in media-related professions.
• Do I need prior experience in the track to apply?
  Yes, applicants are required to have 1-5 years of experience in a manager and/or editor role. This program welcomes new editors, including assigning editors in both print and online formats, as well as assignment editors and executive producers in broadcast who supervise in-house reporters, writers, and producers or freelancers. It is also geared towards mid-level managers who may or may not have direct reports but hold strategic leadership or communications roles in their newsrooms or media organizations.

APPLICATIONS

• For details and to apply visit the official website
• When submitting applications, candidates must acknowledge that Maynard 200 fellows are required to attend both weeks of training sessions and fulfill all program components in order to graduate from the program.
• To assist you in the application process, we have provided an editable document as a time-saving tool for drafting your application answers. Please make a copy of this Google Doc to draft your answers, and then copy and paste them into the online Google Form application. It is important to note that all applicants must submit their application using the online Google Form application by Monday, February 12, 2024, by 11:59 pm PST. Applications in other document formats will not be considered.
• Eligible applicants will be contacted during the interview selection process with more details by the week of February 20, 2024.
• For applicants residing outside the United States, it is necessary to have an affiliation with or contribute content to a U.S.-based media outlet or organization.
• Please note that a Google account is required for the application process. This will allow you to save your draft applications, upload files, and receive an emailed copy of your final submission automatically.
• As part of the application, we ask for an updated resume, work samples, one reference letter, and a short essay. The essay prompts explore your professional background, desired takeaways from the program, as well as your unique life experiences and perspectives.
• The online application requires the following key components:
• – Current Resume
  – 750-1,000 word essay response to the provided question prompt
  – 500-word narrative Bio
  – Optional work samples and/or relevant materials
  – 1 reference letter with contact information
• You can upload a reference letter through the application form. The letter should be 500 words or less and include the reference’s name, role, and preferred method of contact (email and office/cell phone). The reference should be a current or previous supervisor, or someone familiar with your work.
• Please be aware that by submitting your application, you acknowledge that Maynard 200 fellows are required to attend both weeks of training sessions and fulfill all program components in order to graduate from the program.