Collective Mind Fellows
One of our goals has always been to increase the knowledge and resources available to network managers and leaders to better equip them to effectively fulfill their roles.
Over the years, we’ve developed our own resources and tools, from our guide on How to Manage Networks to our Network Diagnostic Framework to our research on funding networks to our recently released Network Capacity Guides.
Now we’d like to expand these efforts by asking you to join us. We’re looking for interested colleagues to participate in our first-ever cohort of Collective Mind Fellows for 2025.
An overview…
Our new fellowship program is a 1-year (part-time, unpaid, nonresident) fellowship for a select cohort of network practitioners from around the world who want to contribute substantively to the growing field of network practice.
It is open to those working for or with networks who seek time, space, and support to explore an original piece of research or other creative project related to networks and network management.
Each fellow will pursue a project or set of activities of their own design over the course of the fellowship.
And all the details…
Who are Collective Mind Fellows? Fellows are network practitioners anywhere around the world who are a) interested in pursuing a project on networks/network management with a diverse cohort of your global peers and b) able and willing to participate in cohort-based activities over the course of the 2025 calendar year.
What is the timeline of the fellowship? The fellowship will take place over the course of 2025 beginning in January 2025. Additional sharing and promotional activities related to fellows’ completed projects may continue into the following year.
What is expected of fellows? Fellows are expected to develop and complete an original piece of research or other creative project by the end of the fellowship at the end of the 2025 calendar year. Fellows are also expected to participate in cohort-based activities.
What are the anticipated fellowship activities? As a fellow, your primary activity will be to develop your proposed project, the scope and time commitment of which will depend on the scope of the project and what you choose to contribute to its completion.
Additional cohort-based activities beyond your project’s development will include:
Bimonthly fellowship check-ins via Zoom starting in January 2025 (i.e., January, March, May, July, September, November) plus a closing celebration in December 2025/January 2026. (Dates and times TBD based on the cohort’s locations and time zones.)
Intentional connections to and collaboration with other fellows and Collective Mind colleagues via email and a private WhatsApp group.
Semi-regular email messages to fellows from Collective Mind to check in, provide support, and act as an accountability buddy.
All cohort-based activities will be virtual and remote. Such activities will require approximately 1-2 hours per month outside of work on your proposed project.
What are the benefits to fellows? Fellows will receive multiple benefits from their participation including:
A facilitated, supportive space for structured research, reflection and creation, with built-in accountability buddies to help you stay on track.
Networking, connection, and collaboration with colleagues from around the world toward the completion of your proposed project and beyond.
Access to Collective Mind resources and experts as you develop your project.
Promotion and sharing of your project across Collective Mind’s communication platforms (newsletter, website, LinkedIn) and those of our partners.
Promotion of you as a fellow with your photo and profile highlighted on our site’s (forthcoming) Collective Mind Fellows webpage and via our other communication platforms.
Who is eligible to be a Collective Mind Fellow? The fellowship is open to network practitioners based anywhere around the world who have a minimum of 3 years of experience working for or with networks.
Fellows must submit a short proposal for the creation of an original work over the course of the year (the specific format TBD by the fellow).
You must commit to completing a final product by the end of the 1-year fellowship period. You must also be willing and able to consistently engage in collaboration and mutual support to other cohort fellows via our cohort-based activities.
How do I apply for the fellowship? Follow the link below to the application form to describe your interest and your proposed project. Decisions will be made and applicants contacted by December 13th.
Decisions will be made based on an evaluation of the individual applications, specifically the strength of your proposed project (e.g. clarity and articulation of the proposed project; relevance and contribution to the field of network practice, likelihood of completion during the 1-year fellowship period; etc.)
Consideration will also be made to ensure a diverse cohort that will participate enthusiastically, connect and collaborate intentionally, and foster a mutually supportive environment.
There is no preset number of anticipated fellows for 2025. The size of the cohort will reflect the strength, relevance, and diversity of the applications we receive.
Ready to apply? Applications close November 22nd!