Kids deserve a new story.
Introducing the Narrative Breakthrough Fellowship supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
❊ The Details
The Experience
The Fellowship will provide a dedicated space to learn and co-create in service of making narrative breakthroughs for children through monthly touchpoints in both group and 1:1 sessions. The next fellowship is from March 2026 - August 2026.
It includes:
A $40,000 award to either offset the fellow’s time, or to be put towards a narrative project
A two-day in-person convening to launch the fellowship (around May 2026)
An engaging six-month program
Monthly sessions, including 1:1 coaching, virtual gatherings, expert guests, and skill-based workshops on topics such as framing, understanding audience, narrative testing, and more
The Fellows
The Fellowship is open to communications leaders from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds, all of whom are working for the benefit of babies, children, and youth.
Previous fellows have come from organizations as varied as Children’s Defense Fund, Zero to Three, Moms Rising, and many more. Most participants are communications directors, though some work in programs or campaigns, and some specialize in narrative work.
The ideal candidate might have:
Desire to engage, learn, and co-create alongside a small cohort of peer fellows
Minimum of 5 years of experience in the social sector, with meaningful levels of responsibility for work related to babies, children, and youth
Interest and excitement about making a breakthrough in their narrative work—e.g., reframing an issue, building a stronger brand, connecting with target segments of people in more compelling ways, or better leveraging media channels to drive tangible outcomes
Support and buy-in for fellowship participation from their organizational leadership
A nuanced understanding of how race, gender, ability, and other social determinants impact children and families, and are committed to challenging those systems of oppression in their work.
The Process
Applications are open until February 1st, 2026, for the Spring 2026 cohort. To apply, we will ask you to fill out a brief form to let us know more about you, your organization, and your narrative goals.
Steps include:
A call with the Narrative Breakthrough team
Fill out and submit intake form by February 1, 2026
Final selections will be made by mid-February, 2026
A fellowship for narrative leaders transforming our collective story on children.
The Narrative Breakthrough Fellowship, the flagship initiative of Narrative Breakthrough Studio, is a six-month, all-expenses-paid experience for leaders working to transform our stories about babies, children, and youth.
Across the country, advocates are working tirelessly to build systems that support children and families. Yet the dominant stories shaping our cultural beliefs—who deserves care, what families look like, whose needs matter—are shaped by intersecting systems of oppression and opportunity across race, gender, ability, class, culture, and place. These narratives often reinforce inequitable policies and practices that limit what’s possible for many children and their caregivers.
We need new stories that affirm every child’s dignity and reimagine a world where all children and families can thrive. This fellowship supports advocates by providing the space and narrative tools they need to ensure all children have the childhoods they deserve. Fellows will deepen their narrative power through hands-on coaching, creative exploration, and collaboration with a tight-knit community of peers.
❊ FAQs
You’ve got questions.
We’ve got answers!
-
Yes. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) organizations.
-
Participants should plan for:
A two-day in-person retreat
Three individualized 1:1 consulting sessions
Two to three virtual workshops (90 minutes each)
In a six-month span from April - September, 2026.
-
Yes, please email info@narrativebreakthrough.com
-
We welcome organizations addressing a wide range of issues and systems affecting babies, children, and youth. For some organizations, children are the primary focus; for others, they may be a key subgroup within broader work.
If your work relates to care, families, or intersecting systems that benefit kids (for example, tax policy), we encourage you to apply.
Please note: This cohort is not focused on K–12 education or higher education.
-
We recommend one senior leader or program lead who is directly responsible for strategy, narrative, or external communications. If you’re unsure who the best fit is, we’re happy to advise.
-
Organizations working at the intersection of families, care, community well-being, economic justice, or systems that shape outcomes for babies, children, and youth. We are especially interested in organizations that bring a nuanced understanding of how race, gender, ability, and other social determinants impact children and families, and are committed to challenging those systems of oppression in their work. This includes both direct-service and advocacy organizations.
-
All sizes are welcome. We look for organizations with a clear mission, a demonstrated commitment to narrative change, and readiness to engage in thoughtful strategy and experimentation.
-
Our process includes an introductory call and an intake form. The Intake form is due by February 1st. You can expect to be notified by mid-February.
-
Yes. We are committed to ensuring all participants can fully engage. Please let us know your accessibility needs in the application.
I can hear change humming. In its loudest, proudest song. I don't fear change coming, And so I sing along.
— Amanda Gorman
