Women working toward technical careers in broadcasting have until Friday, Oct. 30 to apply for the 2026 LAUNCH Mentorship Program. The program is run by Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) and the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation (NABLF).
LAUNCH began in 2023. It matches each mentee with an experienced engineering leader for a year of one-on-one mentoring, technical guidance and professional development. The program covers areas a station engineer deals with every day: FCC compliance, RF systems, automation, IP-based broadcast systems, streaming and digital audio.
Eligibility is wider this year. Women employed by broadcast technology partners and vendors can now apply alongside those working at stations. Radio software and workflow-automation company Mr. Master is sponsoring the program.
MIW and NABLF said the program aims to help women build skills and professional relationships and prepare for leadership roles, whether they are pursuing technical certification, moving up in engineering or widening their options in broadcast operations. Mentees who are selected will also be able to attend the 2027 NAB Show in Las Vegas.
Applications and program details are available through MIW. Station managers with women on their technical staff, or working toward engineering roles, may want to pass the Oct. 30 deadline along.