C&S Opens Applications for Next Carnegie Young Leaders Cohort

The Institute for Citizens & Scholars has announced a call for participants for its next class of the Carnegie Young Leaders program, inviting young people ages 14–24 from across the US to turn their ideas for community change into real action, according to a recent press release.

Carnegie Young Leaders, funded by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York offers young changemakers the opportunity to receive funding, coaching, and a national peer network. This network enables them to design and launch community-based civic projects in various settings, including schools, campuses, online platforms, and neighborhoods. Participants engage in practical civic skills development, such as having productive conversations, utilizing credible information, and collaborating to address public problems in a manner that aligns with their personal circumstances and community needs.

The program’s first class has already demonstrated how small, focused efforts can create meaningful impact in communities across the country, with sample projects including:

• In Sheldon, IL, Patricia Mathu and her team organized the Iroquois County Community Dinner, bringing together residents with differing views to discuss the future of agriculture and strengthen local food systems.
• In Powell, OH, Tarun Batchu and his team launched Project Demos, a youth-led civic engagement initiative that connects high school students with local policymakers to work on issues like the opioid crisis and road safety.
• In Anchorage, AK, Emily Brubaker’s BioGlitter Initiative is reducing microplastics in schools by replacing harmful plastic glitter with sustainable alternatives and mobilizing community advocates across the district.

These projects demonstrate how young leaders, when supported, can effectively strengthen communities and serve as role models for civic problem-solving in action. Selected teams of young individuals will receive flexible project funding, personalized guidance from experienced mentors, and opportunities to connect with other youth leaders nationwide.

“Gen Z is already showing how powerful their leadership can be in their communities when they have the space to act,” said Audra Watson, the chief of youth civic programs at C&S. “Carnegie Young Leaders gives young people the skills, support, and community needed to turn everyday civic actions into sustained impact.”

C&S encourages applications from youth who may not see themselves as leaders but are already helping neighbors, organizing online, caring for their communities, or speaking up about issues they care about.

“You don’t have to start big to make a difference. If you can bring people together, ask good questions, and take one concrete step, you already have what it takes,” added Watson.

To apply, visit https://cands.org/carnegie-young-leaders/. The priority deadline for submissions is March 30, 2026.