Stand for Children Summer 2026 Student Fellowship
Are you a high school junior or senior or recent graduate who has taken Career and Technical Education Courses? Or maybe you participated in an internship or apprenticeship while in high school? Or maybe you wish your school offered opportunities to earn credit through work while in high school? Do you want to shape the high school experience of the next generation of Illinois students?
The Summer 2026 Stand for Children Student Fellowship is for you!
About Us.
Stand for Children is a non-profit education advocacy organization focused on ensuring all students receive a high quality, relevant education, especially children whose boundless potential is overlooked and under-tapped because of their skin color, zip code, first language, or disability.
We believe the most effective solutions in education policy are achieved through the power of everyday people. When people who are personally impacted by the issues show up, speak up, reach out, and vote, they can have a profound and positive impact on policy decisions.
The Student Fellowship will explore access to and quality of career exploration, career-connected learning, and post-graduation preparation with an eye towards improving equity and education outcomes throughout the state. Fellows will work with subject-matter experts and practitioners, study data, and make policy recommendations. Fellows will choose from among individual and group advocacy opportunities, learn how to navigate the legislative process, and have a platform for sharing their stories. They will also play an important role in the preparation of a published brief.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU.
This will be an opportunity for you to enhance your policy knowledge, see public policy-making in action, and build your own leadership skills. Through thoughtful discussions, your collective voice will inform Stand’s work on a policy brief and statewide communications plan centered on career-connected learning. You will grow your network, learn from experts, and communicate regularly with Stand’s policy team.
Fellows receive a $800 stipend for active participation in the program, payable in two equal installments at the middle and end of the fellowship.
YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE FELLOWSHIP.
The fellowship runs from the week of June 8,206 through July 27, 2026 with a total time commitment of approximately 20-30 hours over the course of 8-weeks.
Fellows will meet via 60-minute webinars each week. The webinars will feature guest experts, informational sessions, fellow-led presentations, and team planning and decision-making. In addition, various individual and group work will be undertaken.
Fellows will undertake individual projects of their choosing, applying communications, advocacy, policymaking, research, or technical skills to examine career-connected learning and problems of practice.
Optional events and expert presentations will be flagged for those who are interested. We will also provide timely information about opportunities for advocacy and engagement, such as submitting written or public comments to critical policy committees, writing blog posts or other communications, submitting letters to the editor, and meeting with state legislators and school board members.
Community College-bound high school graduates, students pursuing work immediately after high school, and students interested in technical skills certifications are HIGHLY encouraged to apply.
Apply Below by May 15, 2026:
