Call for exceptional young leaders to serve as part-time Youth Advisory Partners at the Aspen Institute’s Education and Society Program ($1,500 annual stipend): Apply Now
Closing Date: 25 January 2026
Call for exceptional young leaders to serve as part-time Youth Advisory Partners at the Aspen Institute’s Education and Society Program ($1,500 annual stipend): Apply Now
The Aspen Institute’s Education & Society Program is launching applications for Youth Advisory Partners (ages 18–24) to join its Rising Generations Strategy Group, a national table of education, civics, policy, military, and nonprofit leaders shaping the future of K–12 education.
This is not a traditional youth advisory role. Youth Advisory Partners serve as equal strategic partners, bringing lived experience, insight, and leadership directly into high-level decision-making.
If you work with or know exceptional young leaders, please share and encourage them to apply.
Overview
The Aspen Education & Society Program is seeking 6-8 exceptional young leaders (ages 18-24) to serve as Youth Advisory Partners (YAP) in the Rising Generations Strategy Group. This unique opportunity brings together approximately 30 national leaders from Education, Civics, Policy, Military, Technology, and Nonprofit sectors to shape the future of K-12 education.
Unlike traditional youth advisory roles, YAP members serve as equal partners—not junior advisors—working alongside C-suite executives, military leaders, and senior policymakers. Aspen Education & Society Program is looking for individuals who bring lived experience in K-12 systems, strategic thinking
abilities, cross-generational fluency, and leadership strengths that will contribute to high-level policy discussions and strategic decision-making.
Members serve for three years, commit 3–6 hours per month, receive an annual stipend, and participate in Aspen convenings per year. All travel and participation costs are fully covered.
What Aspen is Looking For
Aspen is building a cohort that reflects the diversity, complexity, and brilliance of young people in the United States. Aspen welcome applicants with a wide range of identities, experiences, and perspectives. Aspen is seeking youth who represent diverse demographics, lived experiences, perspectives, and skills including:
- Students with disabilities, English learners, youth experiencing homelessness or foster care, youth caregivers, and youth impacted by the justice system
- Youth with organizing, advocacy, or leadership experience — and youth who have never held a formal leadership role
- A range of political beliefs, cultural identities, and faith traditions
- Clear communication and thoughtful reflection
- Curiosity about policy and systems change
- Reliability and accountability
- Openness to teamwork across differences
- Commitment to equity and representing perspectives beyond one’s ownWhat Do YAP Members Do
- Advise Aspen’s Education & Society strategy
- Participate in convenings and discussions with national leaders
- Conduct youth-led research (focus groups, surveys, narrative collection)
- Co-create content and communications
- Identify emerging issues in the student experience
Compensation and Support
- $1,500 annual stipend
- Full travel coverage for convenings
- Additional compensation for special projects or speaking engagements
- Ongoing mentorship, leadership development, and training in intergenerational partnership
How to Apply
The link to the application can be found here. The written response prompts can be found below.
If you have any questions, please contact Omaer Naeem at [email protected].
Written Responses
Please limit your responses to 300 words.
- How do you see yourself contributing to the Rising Generations Strategy Group?
The RGSG brings together approximately 30 national leaders from Military,
Technology, Education, Civics, Policy, and Nonprofit sectors—many of whom do NOT
have K-12 education policy expertise. Youth members (ages 18-24) will serve as equal
strategic partners, not junior advisors. You will work alongside C-suite executives,
military leaders, and senior policymakers.
Please reflect on how your lived experience in K-12 systems, strategic thinking
abilities, cross-generational fluency, or leadership strengths would enable you to
contribute as an equal partner in this work.
Please limit your answer to 150-300 words. - What do you believe is the purpose of education in the United States today? Based
on that, if you were to redesign school for the next generation, what core
principles should guide it?
Please limit your answer to 150-300 words. - In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge facing young people and/or the
K–12 education system in the United States today? Why?
Please limit your answer to 150-300 words.4. Do you have any time constraints, obligations, or barriers that could affect your
ability to participate in this program? (e.g., workload, school schedule, caregiving,
military commitments, etc.)
Supporting Materials - Link to public profiles (e.g., LinkedIn, website, portfolio, social media account,
publicly available biography, etc.) - Relevant media, publications, awards, or coverage (Optional)
- Are there any other comments or context you would like to share about your
application?
(For example: unique perspectives you bring, relevant challenges you’ve overcome,
specific expertise or networks you’d contribute, or anything else that helps us
understand your potential fit.)
Click Here To Apply
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