Program Details
Applications Due: April 1, 2026
Application Submission Site: CHDEV Editorial Fellows
Child Development invites applications for the inaugural cohort of the Editorial Fellows Program, a mentored professional development opportunity designed to expand access to training in academic publishing and support the next generation of developmental science editors. The Child Development (CHDEV) Editorial Fellows Program is for people who are interested in learning how the peer-review and editorial decision-making process operates from the inside, including those with limited experience as peer reviewers for journals. Up to 10 Editorial Fellows will be selected to receive structured training and close mentorship from Child Development editors while gaining hands-on experience with the peer-review process.
What Fellows Will Do
With scaffolded guidance and mentorship, CHDEV Editorial Fellows will:
- Learn how editors evaluate manuscripts for fit, contribution, and rigor
- Observe and participate in editorial triage and decision processes
- Assist with identifying and inviting reviewers
- Learn how to interpret, integrate, and synthesize peer reviews
- Contribute to decision recommendations and decision letters
- Participate in meetings and professional development activities with the editorial team (Editors or Associate Editors)
- Review up to 5 manuscripts over the fellowship year and receive feedback on the reviews.
Who Should Apply
We welcome applications from scholars who:
- Applicants should be postdoctoral scholars or early-career faculty (no more than 5 years past their degree)
- Research aligns with the mission of Child Development
- Are interested in learning about the editorial and peer-review process in developmental science
- Demonstrate strong communication and writing skills, professional judgment, and the ability to consider multiple and diverse perspectives
- Have limited experience as peer reviewers for journals
Benefits of the Fellowship
Editorial Fellows will receive:
- Mentorship from experienced journal editors
- Structured training in peer review, editorial decision-making, and journal workflows
- Increased understanding and confidence in navigating their own scholarly publishing
- Professional recognition (e.g., listing on journal website or masthead, as feasible)
- Preparation for future service as a reviewer or editorial board member (consulting editor, associate editor, editor)
- Honorarium/stipend: $1,000/year for a 1-year term (June 2026-June 2027).
Applications can be submitted here: https://srcd.secure-platform.com/site/solicitations/102073/home
Requirements:
- Describe:
- Your areas of scholarly expertise
- Your current professional position
- Why are you interested in editorial training and what do you hope to gain from the experience?
- Relevant professional experiences (e.g., writing, mentoring, collaborative research, reviewing, methods training)
- (Optional) How would your experiences or perspectives contribute to diversifying editorial leadership?
- Curriculum vitae