Native American Journalists Association

The Maynard Institute for Journalism Education is seeking applications for the 2023 Maynard 200 Journalism Fellowship Program.

The Maynard 200 Fellowship is the cornerstone program of  the Maynard Institute,  in line with its efforts to expand the diversity pipeline in news media and dismantle structural racism in newsrooms. Join a network of peers and mentors dedicated to your professional development and positive social impact on the news industry. 

Since 2018, the Maynard Institute has trained over 140 mid-career media leaders, storytellers, editors, and entrepreneurs of diverse backgrounds. This year’s program will consist of a cohort size of 40 fellows maximum.

Program updates this year include:

• More collaboration and networking with fellows across curriculum tracks  
• New university partner: Bob Schieffer College of Communication at TCU
• Media entrepreneur curriculum expanded for journalism product developers

As a Maynard 200 fellow, you’ll receive tuition-free trainings from June through October, plus a full year of one-on-one mentorship through 2024. The Maynard Institute will provide you with lodging at Hyatt Place Fort Worth/TCU and your travel expenses will be reimbursed up to $500 per in-person training ($1,000 total). 

The Maynard 200 Fellowship also allows you to customize your training experience. Select one of the following curriculum tracks that best fits you:

• Investigative Storytellers
• Executive Leaders
• Frontline Editors & Managers
• Media Entrepreneurs &  Product Developers

In-person Training Dates & Location:

• Week 1: June 26 – June 30
• Week 2: October 23 – October 26
• University Host Site: Bob Schieffer College of Communication at TCU, Fort Worth, Texas
  

Program Timeline
The 2023 program will kick off in-person during the week of June 26th at Bob Schieffer College of Communication at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas. 

The program will continue throughout the summer with a series of virtual webinars and assigned project work specific to each curriculum track. 

A second week of in-person training will be held the week of October 23rd including the cohort’s commencement ceremonies. 

The program culminates as fellows are paired with veterans and experts in relevant disciplines, to receive one-on-one mentorship via monthly check-ins for a full year through October 2024.

Requirements
Maynard 200 fellows are required to attend both weeks of training sessions, as well as fulfill all program components, in order to graduate from the program.

Applicants from outside the United States need to be affiliated with a U.S.- based outlet.

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, and so we make special efforts to recruit individuals from these groups for our programs.

Applications are due by 11:59 PM PDT on March 31, 2023. Start your application today! Visit bit.ly/maynard200-2023 to learn more and start your application today!

Questions? Please contact Odette Alcazaren-Keeley, Maynard 200 Director at okeeley@mije.org.

Curriculum Details 

The Investigative Storytellers track is focused on frameworks to hone investigative reporting skills. It will explore the anatomy of an investigative project, how to hold an accountability interview, find information, analyze data and file effective requests for documents, as well as other investigative techniques. This curriculum will also prepare you for the logistics involved in mounting a major investigative project and step back and conduct sessions that reconnect you with your inner storyteller. Applicants in this track are required to have at least 5 years journalism experience Prior experience in investigative reporting is not required, but sharpening this skill should be a main part of the applicant’s goals.

The Executive Leaders track is designed for high-level managers who are poised to ascend to the top-most levels of leadership within an organization. Successful candidates will have a proven track record of management and leadership roles with increasing responsibility. The track will provide media and newsroom leaders with in-depth assessments of their leadership and management style, and offer strategies for boosting their leadership skills and advancing their functional acumen. The curriculum will focus on leadership competencies, organizational direction, financial oversight, human capital strategies and governance issues.

The Frontline Editors and Managers track will provide training for new editors, including assigning editors for both print and online media; for assignment editors and executive producers in broadcast who supervise either in-house reporters, writers, and producers or freelancers, or both. It is also geared for mid-level managers who may or may not have direct reports, but hold strategic leadership or communications roles in their newsrooms or media organizations. We will tackle the following topics or similar themes: success in management; resilient leadership; building strong teams; difficult conversations; effective transition strategies for new editors and managers; hands-on editing workshops including effective coaching and critiques. Applicants in this track are required to have 1 to 5 years of experience in a manager and/or editor role.

The Media Entrepreneurs & Product Developers track will provide training for individuals on how to build sustainable media-related businesses, by being able to think more critically and creatively. We’ll be focusing on the following themes: building and sharpening your business plan, effective pitching to stakeholders, prototyping a product, raising funds, building a team and pivoting as needed. We are seeking candidates who either operate their own independent entrepreneurial venture or have new product development responsibilities in established media organizations. These candidates, at minimum, should have developed a preliminary business plan for their new product concept.

About the Maynard Institute
For more than 45 years, the Maynard Institute has fought to push back against the systemic lack of diversity in the news industry through training, collaborations and convenings. Founded by Robert C. Maynard, the Institute promotes diversity and antiracism in the news media through improved coverage, hiring and business practices. We are creating better representation in America’s newsrooms through our Maynard 200 fellowship program, which gives media professionals of color the tools to become skilled storytellers, empowered executives and inspired entrepreneurs.

Apply Here