The Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship (ECYF) brings together a talented group of high school students from around the country to think locally, listen to others, and build coalitions.
Fellows will utilize their lived experiences to shed light on how civic education can include student voices and become more equitable. Fellows are committed to researching issues of equity in civic education in their school community and addressing the practices and policies related to their civic learning experiences.
Applications are due May 27, 2024
Program Requirements
Students should come prepared to participate and contribute their lived experiences. The goal is to cultivate a deeper appreciation for student voices in the field of civic education by facilitating student-led discussions.
This is a paid fellowship opportunity. Selected students will be required to:
- Adhere to the Student Code of Conduct
- Attend our virtual orientation, in-person Washington D.C. Convening, and all virtual cohort meetings.
- Create, lead, and engage in student campaigns (more information below)
- Participate in engagements as assigned
- Serve as a youth ambassador for equity in civic education
- Attend and participate in the end-of-program event in May
Student activities
- Create and publish a community research project (blog, slideshow, infographic, video, etc) on a civic learning issue present in their state.
- Collaborate with other Fellows to create a Public Service Announcement on the state of civic education from students’ perspectives.
- Lead and participate in various community engagement activities.
Students should expect a commitment of 5-10 hours a month. Students that complete all program requirements and adhere to the student code of conduct will receive a stipend at the end of the program.
Program Eligibility
The Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship is a paid opportunity for youth to lend their voice to the public discussion on civic education. The Fellowship is a 10-month program (August 2024 -May 2025) for U.S. high school students that will provide leadership opportunities for students, including civic and media workshops, learning how to articulate and share youth perspectives on civic education; and showcasing youth civic learning experiences.
Students are expected to seek engagement from peers and others from their local community.
Applicant Eligibility:
- U.S. high school students for the 2024-2025 school year (rising 9-12th graders)
- Interest in civics, education, equity, government, history, or politics
- Required attendance at our in-person convening in Washington D.C. in the Fall (travel, lodging, and meal accommodations paid for by iCivics, and its generous donors)
- Required attendance to all virtual meetings throughout the year
Student Voice
iCivics champions equitable, nonpartisan civic education to ensure that the practice of democracy is learned by each new generation. We work to inspire lifelong civic engagement by providing high-quality and engaging civics resources to teachers and students across the nation.
As students clearly have the greatest stake in their education, and exercising agency is a key part of civic education, the Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship and Alumni Network exist to encourage and elevate student voice.
Fellows and Alumni represent their own opinions as they contribute their important and unique voices to the public conversation about civic education in the United States. We welcome this diversity of perspectives.
The Alumni Network
The network consists of past participants of the Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship. As our program continues to grow, we hope this network serves as a space to advance the larger discussion on equity in civics. Every year, Alumni participate in the facilitation of student-led discussions within the program.