John Lewis Young Leaders Fellowship Program

Become a Fellow:

What We Are Looking For:

The John Lewis Young Leaders (JLYL) program looks for highly motivated students who are interested in making a career out of organizing work. These students should be self-starters and not afraid to go against the grain. Students should be able to see themselves as human rights defenders and be impact-minded. Most importantly, we look for students who come from marginalized backgrounds and are most often targeted by systemic issues that do not afford them the opportunities and resources needed to become human rights advocates.

Eligibility Criteria:

An undergraduate student
Enrolled in a 2 or 4 year accredited program
Enrolled in a university located in the United States
Graduating on or after May 2027

Priority is Given To:

Students attending an HBCU, HSI, or HMSI
Students from marginalized communities

Responsibilities:

Attend the 4-day John Lewis Young Leaders retreat, where you’ll participate in organizing workshops
Meet with RFK Human Rights staff monthly for 1-on-1 coaching
Attend all monthly cohort meetings held on the 2nd Monday of each month
Complete a capstone presentation with an overview of your capstone project at the conclusion of the fellowship

Fellowship Benefits:

$2,000 professional stipend (paid in two $1,000 installments over the fall and spring semesters)
$1,000 in funding for events and activities related to the completion of your capstone project
Paid-for retreat in the summer of 2026
Agency to focus on elevating social issues that motivate and inspire YOU
Access to content-rich resources from expert community organizers and activists