The AsyncAPI Maintainership Program is an 18-week annual mentorship initiative that kicks off every summer. It follows a carefully structured timeline designed to foster steady growth, hands-on experience, and long-term mentorship that empowers contributors to become maintainers.
Here's the general timeline for each yearly cohort:
| Phase | Timing | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Program Announcement | Early February | Official program details are published, including goals, structure, and participation guidelines. |
| Call for Mentors & Project Ideas | Mid March | Maintainers and prospective mentors submit project proposals and express interest in mentoring, explaining the value of their projects for the program. |
| Mentor & Project Selection | End of April | Selected mentors are notified. Access to onboarding resources and maintainership support materials is provided. |
| Contributor Applications Open | Early May | Applications open for contributors to express interest, explore available projects, and begin required tasks (e.g., submitting a draft PR or proposal). |
| Application Deadline | End of May | Final deadline for contributors to submit their applications and complete the required tasks for their selected project. |
| Contributors Announced | Early June | Selected contributors are notified and onboarded into the program. Slack channels, project resources, and kickoff materials are shared. |
| Program Begins | Mid June | The mentorship officially starts. Contributors and mentors align on goals, expectations, and contribution plans for the cohort. |
| Program Ends | Mid October | Contributors finalize and present their work. Mentors provide detailed feedback and discuss potential paths for continued involvement. |
| Graduation & Recognition | Late October | Contributors who successfully complete the program are celebrated with certificates, social spotlights, and future recommendations for roles within AsyncAPI. |
Timeline Details
Below is a detailed breakdown of the AsyncAPI Maintainership Program timeline. Each phase is carefully designed to ensure transparency, fairness, and a high-impact learning experience for everyone involved.
Program Announcement Period — [February 1]
- Program coordinators publish official program details, including goals, structure, and participation guidelines.
- Program coordinators begin volunteer outreach.
Call for Mentors & Project Proposals Period — [March 10 - April 30]:
- Mentors sign up to participate by joining the program discussion.
- Program organizers actively reach out to potential mentors and past participants.
- New mentors are reviewed for eligibility and alignment with program values.
- Mentors propose project ideas.
- Program organizers review projects and approve or reject them.
- Selected mentors are notified and attend a short onboarding session to align expectations.
- Selected mentors list tasks for contributors to work on during the program.
Contributor Application Period — [May 10 - May 30]
- Contributors submit applications, selecting one or more project(s) of interest.
- Program organizers begin reviewing contributor applications.
Contributor Selection Period — [June 1 - 12]
- Contributors receive an email confirming the status of their application.
- Rejection emails are sent to applicants who aren't selected.
- Mentors' task lists and requirements are shared with selected contributors.
- Public announcement of selected mentees.
Program Kickoff — [June 15]
- Mentees are added to project Slack channels and introduced to mentors and fellow cohort members.
- Mentors and mentees align on weekly plans, goals, and expectations.
- Cohort-wide welcome call and orientation hosted by program organizers.
Midterm Evaluations — [August 12 – 22]
- Mentors and mentees complete mid-program evaluation forms.
- Program organizers host check-in calls with each team to assess progress and identify blockers.
- Organizers review feedback to identify any blockers, support needs, or adjustments.
- Contributors at risk of not completing the program are flagged for additional support.
Final Evaluations — [October 6 – 17]
- Mentors evaluate mentee contributions, growth, and engagement.
- Mentees evaluate the relationship, contribution, and impact of their mentor.
- Mentees complete self-assessments reflecting on their learning journey.
- Mentors and mentees participate in final feedback sessions with program organizers.
- Final project submissions are reviewed by program organizers.
Recognition — [October 24]
- Successful mentees are recognized with digital certificates, community spotlight features, and letters of recommendation.
- Guidance on next steps: maintainership invitations, community roles, etc.
- A public blog post and social media highlights celebrate the cohort's achievements.
Post-Program Pathways — [Late October onwards]
- Mentees are invited to stay involved: join working groups, continue contributing, or co-mentor the next cohort.
- Resources for maintainership, open-source leadership, and speaking opportunities at AsyncAPI global conferences are shared.
Note: This is the general program timeline. In cases where a project scope extends beyond the standard schedule, organizers can work with the relevant team on a flexible timeline.
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