Student Organizing Fellowship 2026: John Lewis Young Leaders Program — $3,000 in Support plus Paid Retreat

If you care about human rights, campus politics, or community change and you’re an undergraduate set to graduate May 2027 or later, this fellowship is built for you. The John Lewis Young Leaders Program (JLYL) is a year-long, paid fellowship that trains college students in grassroots organizing, gives them one-on-one coaching with RFK Human Rights staff, and funds a capstone project that actually reaches people. You get mentorship, a network, and money to run something real — not just a line on your résumé.

Think of this as an organizing bootcamp that doesn’t just talk theory. Over the course of the year you’ll attend a multi-day retreat where organizers teach practical skills, meet monthly with staff for coaching, and develop a capstone project that puts your ideas into motion on campus or in your town. Financially, fellows receive a $2,000 professional stipend and an additional $1,000 specifically for capstone activities. The retreat is paid for, travel and lodging included.

This fellowship is competitive but concrete: it’s designed to turn motivated students into organizers who know how to build campaigns, run events, and sustain civic engagement. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by a problem on campus — lack of mental health services, campus policing policies, food insecurity, voter access — and wanted the training to do something about it, JLYL is a program that helps you make a plan and execute it with support.

At a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers

JLYL gives you instruction, money, and people. The core of the fellowship is training: organizers and activists lead workshops that teach tactics you’ll actually use — coalition-building, volunteer recruitment, messaging that moves people, and campaign design. These aren’t lecture slides; they’re workshop sessions designed to have you leave with step-by-step plans.

You’ll also get monthly one-on-one coaching with RFK Human Rights staff. That means a consistent mentor who sees your project through the year, helps you iteratively improve your plan, and holds you accountable. A mentor can be the difference between a half-baked campus event and a sustained program with measurable outcomes.

Financially, the fellowship pays a $2,000 professional stipend in two installments (one in fall, one in spring) and provides $1,000 specifically earmarked for capstone events and activities. That $3,000 total gives you runway — buy materials, pay stipends for student leaders, cover space rental, run a voter registration drive, or fund a speaker series. On top of money and coaching, the summer retreat is covered: travel, lodging, and programming paid for by the fellowship.

Finally, you get network access. Alumni and human rights professionals in the RFK network are valuable for mentorship, internships, and career pathways. Being part of a cohort also means peer support. Campaigns are hard; doing them with others who get your struggles and celebrate wins makes you much more likely to push through setbacks.

Who Should Apply

This fellowship is for undergraduate students who want to build a real organizing practice. If you are already running student groups, leading campus campaigns, or volunteering with community organizations, you’ll find JLYL amplifies your skills and reach. If you’re newer to organizing but have a clear issue you want to address — say food access on campus, sexual assault prevention, or civic education — this program helps you design a capstone project that scales from idea to action.

Priority is given to students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs), and other minority-serving institutions (HMSIs), as well as students from marginalized communities. That priority doesn’t block others from applying; it simply signals the program’s aim to support leaders from communities that face systemic barriers.

Real-world examples of who should apply:

• A sophomore at an HBCU who has coordinated a student voter outreach table and wants to build a semester-long voter engagement campaign on campus.
• A community college student interested in establishing a mental health peer support group and needs mentorship on sustainability and funding.
• A junior at an HSI proposing a capstone that brings together student groups, faculty, and local nonprofits to create an ongoing public forum on immigration policy.
• A civic-minded student who wants to learn coalition tactics and create a campus safety audit that leads to policy recommendations.

If you can describe a specific problem you want to change and you’re willing to commit time to monthly meetings, coaching calls, and a funded retreat, you belong in this pool. The program isn’t for passive participants — it expects commitment and follow-through.

What You’ll Be Asked to Do (Responsibilities)

Over the fellowship year you’ll:

• Attend a 4-day John Lewis Young Leaders retreat with hands-on organizing workshops.
• Meet monthly with RFK Human Rights staff in a 1:1 coaching format to refine strategy.
• Participate in monthly cohort meetings (scheduled on the 2nd Monday of each month).
• Design and implement a capstone project on your campus or in your local community, culminating in a final capstone presentation at the conclusion of the fellowship.

These responsibilities are time-bound and structured so you can balance coursework with activism. Expect a mix of virtual and in-person commitments; plan your calendar around cohort dates early.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

This section is where you go from “I might apply” to “I’ll be a strong candidate.” Here are five practical strategies that improve your odds and sharpen your submission.

1. Tell a precise story about the change you’ll make. Applications that do well describe a specific problem, a target audience, and measurable indicators of success. Don’t say “improve student life.” Say “increase anonymous reporting of sexual harassment by 40% through a peer-led awareness campaign and a clear referral pathway over one semester.” Specificity shows you’ve thought through logistics.

2. Produce a tight capstone sketch. The fellowship funds and coaches your capstone, but reviewers want to see a viable plan now. Outline goals, key activities, a simple timeline, and how you’ll spend the $1,000 capstone fund. Include potential partners, expected attendance numbers, and a success metric. Even a half-page, tightly structured project sketch goes further than vague enthusiasm.

3. Show capacity with past wins, however small. Did you organize a one-night teach-in, manage a social media campaign, or coordinate volunteers for a community cleanup? Mention what you did, how many people were involved, and a meaningful outcome. Small wins are proof you can move from idea to implementation.

4. Name allies and supports. Identify on-campus or local partners who will assist (student government, a faculty advisor, a local nonprofit). If you already have someone willing to advise or a place to hold events, say so. Concrete support signals feasibility.

5. Prepare for the mentorship conversation. RFK staff will be mentoring you — show why you’ll benefit from that relationship. Explain what guidance you need: campaign strategy, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, evaluation metrics. That helps reviewers see a productive fit between your needs and the program’s offerings.

6. Prioritize clarity over cleverness. Use plain language. Avoid long jargon-heavy sentences. Your reviewers will appreciate directness; they want to see a leader who can explain an issue to a broad audience.

7. Edit ruthlessly and ask for feedback. Hand your draft to at least two people: a peer who knows your campus and an outside reader who can judge whether your problem statement and plan are understandable. Revisions based on their questions will make your application much stronger.

Taken together these tips focus on feasibility and clarity. Reviewers reward applicants who present a realistic plan backed by evidence of prior effort and clear reasons for benefiting from JLYL’s mentorship and resources.

Application Timeline (Work Backward from March 1, 2026)

Start early — you’ll thank yourself. Here’s a practical schedule so you don’t rush and miss key details.

• Mid-February 2026: Final polish. Have at least two people proof your application. Confirm transcripts and any required institution verifications are ready. Submit at least 48 hours before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical problems.
• Late January to early February 2026: Draft complete application. Finalize capstone sketch and budget for the $1,000 project funds. Reach out to any named partners and secure short statements confirming interest.
• Mid to late January 2026: Seek feedback. Share your draft with a mentor, faculty advisor, or experienced organizer. Incorporate their edits. Confirm your enrollment status with your registrar if you need to submit proof.
• December 2025 to early January 2026: Outline and early drafting. Work on the problem statement, goals, and timeline for your capstone. If you need unofficial transcripts or a CV, gather them now.
• November 2025: Plan your concept. Decide the issue you’ll address and draft a one-page capstone concept that includes activities, audience, and basic budget needs.
• Ongoing: Keep track of cohort meeting dates, retreat timing, and how they might conflict with academic schedules. If you foresee conflicts, note them in your application and explain how you’ll manage.

The point: give yourself time to gather feedback, line up partners, and write a persuasive, specific capstone sketch. Rushing during the final week is where avoidable errors happen.

Required Materials and How to Prepare Them

The official application form lists specific items; below are the materials you should prepare ahead of time and practical suggestions for each.

• Personal statement or essay: This is where you tell your story and explain why organizing matters to you. Keep it focused: describe a problem, your role in addressing it, and how JLYL will help you scale your impact.
• Capstone project outline: A one- to two-page plan that explains the issue, target audience, activities, timeline, and how you’ll spend the $1,000 capstone fund. Include 2–3 measurable outcomes.
• Résumé or CV: One page is fine for most students. Highlight leadership, organizing, volunteering, relevant coursework, and paid work.
• Proof of enrollment or transcript: An unofficial transcript or enrollment verification showing you’re enrolled and graduating May 2027 or later.
• Contact information for references or a short list of allies: If the application allows references, pick people who can speak to your organizing capacity — faculty advisors, community leaders, or supervisors.
• Short budget breakdown: Not complicated — a paragraph or small table showing how you’d allocate the $1,000 capstone fund (e.g., $300 for materials, $400 for stipends, $300 for publicity/space).

Preparation advice: write your essays in a document first — don’t type directly into the web form. That way you can edit, get feedback, and avoid losing work. Keep answers concrete and concise. If the application asks for short answers, treat them like headlines: direct and informative.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

Strong applications combine clarity, feasibility, and demonstrated commitment. Reviewers look for applicants who can show three things: a well-defined problem, a realistic plan to address it, and evidence they can follow through.

A standout application paints a clear arc from problem to outcome. It explains who is affected by the issue, why current efforts aren’t sufficient, and how the proposed capstone will produce measurable change. It includes realistic milestones (e.g., month 1: coalition building; month 2: recruit volunteers; month 3: host event; month 4: evaluate).

Feasibility is critical. Reviewers ask: can this student actually complete this project while taking classes? Concrete details — secured meeting spaces, a named faculty advisor, student groups that have agreed to partner — answer that question. Show you’ve thought through timing, permissions, and basic costs.

Demonstrated commitment also matters. If you’ve run events, led a student group, or volunteered consistently, include specific numbers and outcomes. If you’re newer to organizing, explain what you’ve learned and show an early win or a pilot that indicates potential.

Finally, realistic evaluation shows maturity. Good applicants include at least one simple metric: attendance numbers, volunteer sign-up rate, petition signatures, or deliverables like a policy memo. These metrics are how you’ll show the project worked.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (and How to Fix Them)

Many applications fail because of easily preventable errors. Here are common traps and practical fixes.

Mistake 1: Being vague about the problem. Fix: Name the problem, size the affected population, and explain why existing efforts haven’t solved it. A clear problem statement makes the rest of your plan believable.

Mistake 2: Over-ambitious project scope. Fix: Focus on one achievable outcome in the fellowship year. It’s better to run one successful pilot than three half-finished initiatives.

Mistake 3: No measurable outcomes. Fix: Include 1–3 specific metrics (e.g., number of students trained, events hosted, policy recommendations submitted). Metrics don’t have to be complex; they just need to be trackable.

Mistake 4: Weak evidence of feasibility. Fix: Name partners, spaces, or faculty who’ve committed. Even informal confirmations (email screenshots) strengthen credibility.

Mistake 5: Poor proofreading and rushed submission. Fix: Have at least two people read for clarity and grammar. Submit at least 48 hours before the deadline.

Mistake 6: Ignoring program commitments. Fix: Read the responsibilities carefully. If you can’t attend the retreat or monthly meetings, explain how you’ll manage those obligations or consider waiting to apply when you can fully participate.

Avoid these traps and your application will look like someone who plans thoroughly and follows through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is eligible to apply? A: Undergraduate students enrolled in a 2- or 4-year accredited institution in the United States, graduating May 2027 or later. Priority is given to students at HBCUs, HSIs, and HMSIs and to students from marginalized communities.

Q: What exactly does the stipend cover? A: JLYL provides a $2,000 professional stipend paid in two $1,000 installments (fall and spring) and $1,000 for capstone activities. The program covers retreat costs including travel and lodging.

Q: Do community college students qualify? A: Yes. The program accepts students enrolled at 2-year institutions as long as they meet the graduation date criteria.

Q: Is international enrollment accepted? A: The program requires enrollment at an institution located in the United States.

Q: Can I apply if I graduate in Summer 2027? A: The eligibility specifies graduating on or after May 2027. If your graduation is later than May 2027, you meet that criterion; clarify any borderline cases with the program team.

Q: Will applicants receive feedback if not selected? A: The program’s public materials don’t guarantee individual feedback, but applicants usually receive a notification. Treat rejection as a learning opportunity — refine your capstone and reapply the next year or seek other training programs.

Q: Are there any fees to apply? A: No application fee is mentioned. Expect the application itself to be free.

Q: How many students are accepted? A: The program does not publicly disclose a fixed cohort size in the summary materials. Cohort size can vary by year. Strong applicants should assume selective competition and prepare accordingly.

Next Steps and How to Apply

Ready to apply? Here is a prioritized checklist to get you across the finish line:

1. Draft a one-page capstone concept that names the problem, audience, activities, timeline, partners, and two measurable outcomes.
2. Prepare a one-page résumé focused on leadership and organizing experience.
3. Write a concise personal statement that explains your motivation and what mentorship you need.
4. Gather proof of enrollment/unofficial transcript.
5. Get at least one informal commitment from a campus ally (faculty advisor, student org, or local nonprofit).
6. Ask two trusted reviewers to read your full application by mid-February and give actionable feedback.
7. Submit your application at least 48 hours before March 1, 2026 to avoid technical issues.

How to Apply / Get Started

Ready to apply? Visit the official John Lewis Young Leaders Program page to complete the application and read the full eligibility details: https://johnlewisyoungleaders.org/

If you have questions about eligibility, timing, or accommodations, check the FAQ on the official site and use the contact details listed there. Apply on or before March 1, 2026 — late applications are not accepted.

Good luck. If you want, paste your capstone sketch here and I’ll help you tighten it into a compelling submission.