Applications open for #ShareTheMicInCyber Fellowship Program

During the course of their year-long fellowship with New America, #ShareTheMicInCyber Fellows will conduct an independent research project. Their first nine months will be dedicated to professional development and planning, researching, and finalizing their work product. The final three months are dedicated to promoting their research work with the help of New America and program staff. During their inaugural year, their Fellows conducted independent projects on a variety of consequential cybersecurity topics, spanning from mapping the global impact of spyware on activists, to the cybersecurity risks of AR VR technologies.

What’s in it for you?

• An honorarium for your year with New America.
• Regular professional development opportunities geared towards strengthening your research and writing skills, and amplifying your work to a public audience.
• Access to New America’s resources and connections to help support your research and expand your professional network.
• Support towards publication, communication and marketing of projects with the support of New America.

What is expected of a #STMIC Fellow?

• Produce a work product representative of their fellowship project. This can be in the form of a report published through New America, an academic paper publishable by a journal, a guidebook, or some other product that can be shared and distributed. In addition to the deliverable, Fellows are expected to be prepared to present their work during in a final public-facing event.
• Publish or participate in at least one public speaking engagement first nine months of your Fellowship. The purpose is to preview to the public release of your work product with New America, and put into action the skills you learn during the professional development workshops.
• Attend the fellowship orientation and final event at New America’s offices in Washington, DC (travel will be reimbursed). Workshops and networking opportunities will also be offered regularly as part of this fellowship, and Fellows are strongly encouraged to attend based on their professional goals and topical interests.
• Promote their profile and their work. This fellowship is structured to build public relations and public speaking skills and utilize them in the final three months of the fellowship. Public engagement can include media appearances, writing op-eds, participating in a public panel, participating in congressional testimony, or writing for New America’s blog The Thread.
• Act as a representative of New America. This can encompass responsibilities such as being available for media calls and other public speaking opportunities, and professionalism on Fellow’s non-personal social media accounts.

Eligibility Criteria

• This fellowship is open to all, including individuals who faces under-representation, systemic bias or discrimination in the cybersecurity profession. This includes, but not limited to, professionals who identify as Black and or person of color, LGBTQIA+, on the gender spectrum, or neurodiversity. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply.
• This program is designed for mid-career professionals, which are typically individuals who have at minimum 3 years of work experience. Successful applicants will have a track record of working independently, strong writing skills, and demonstrated interested in cybersecurity or issues related to cybersecurity (e.g. data privacy, emerging technology, or workforce training). In particular, they’re looking for applicants who have demonstrated experience and are looking to strengthen the following skills:
  • Communicating to an audience: being able to communicate ideas and connect to an audience through writing and public speaking are critical to highlighting your work and core to continual career advancement.
  • Designing and executing on projects: whether it be a consulting project, internal software update, or a policy research project, they’re looking for candidates who can plan and execute a project independently, and are looking to refine that skill over the course of the Fellowship.
  • Managing time and resources: Fellows will be working on their projects over a long period of time, and will need to balance fellowship commitments with their other professional and personal priorities.
• Although Fellows will be expected to conduct their own projects, the #STMIC Fellowship Program will provide opportunities for Fellows to interact with each other and receive guidance and feedback from the Fellowship staff and advisors.

For more information, visit New America.