CIVIC LEADERSHIP PROJECT (UNPAID)

WHO: High School Students in 11th grade

WHAT: The civic leadership project is an activism lab for Freedom and Citizenship students. Beginning in the summer, students consider the issues that matter most to them. In September they research their topics—its history, current state, possibilities for the future. In the spring, they work with their peers to take action. Some past projects have included videos, visual art, and personal narratives. Students regularly take the training they gain in the program to their colleges as campus activists.

WHERE: Center for American Studies

             1130 Amsterdam Ave, 320 Hamilton Hall, MC 2810 · New York, NY 10027

WHEN: The civic leadership program meets about every two weeks during the academic year. Meetings typically last 2 hours and are schedule around the students' schedules. 

DEADLINE:  March 31st, 2025

HOW: https://freedomandcitizenship.columbia.edu/apply 

SUMMER INTERNSHIP FOR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS (PAID)

WHO: High School Students 16+

WHAT:  Beyond Rising is a paid internship program for undocumented youth in New York City run by Oyate Group. Aimed at combating cycles of underemployment and poverty in immigrant communities, the internship program provides undocumented youth the paid opportunity to gain college career readiness skills. Launched in 2022, Beyond Rising places participating high schoolers in administrative offices at local colleges and universities and offers them additional enrichment activities at Oyate Group’s offices including art projects, mentoring, skills training, resume prep, college visits and field trips and more. Participants receive a stipend from Oyate Group for the entirety of the program. The program runs throughout the year, with summer and school-year cohorts.

WHERE: 276 Grand Concourse Ground Floor Bronx, NY 10451

WHEN: Beyond Rising's summer program is set to commence on Monday July 7th and will continue until Friday August 8th. The internship runs 5 weeks total.

DEADLINE:  Early April, 2026

HOW: https://oyategroup.org/beyond-rising/  

YOUTH MEDIA PROGRAM WITH FIFA WORLD CUP (PAID)

WHO: High schoolers aged 15-17 based in Guadalajara, Toronto, New York New Jersey, or Los Angeles

WHAT: The program is an exciting opportunity to hone your skills, build a peer network, report stories and share opinions: on the human rights dimensions of sports in your community, and in connection with the FIFA World Cup 2026.

As a Youth Media Forward reporter, you will receive:

• Training on reporting the human rights dimensions of sport and ensuring responsible reporting practices, across print, broadcast and online media.

• Dimensions may include (but not be limited to): access and diversity, safety in sport, the impacts of major sporting events and the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders; and the working conditions for people involved in or affected by major events.

• Opportunities to submit stories for publication, through partnerships with media outlets.

• Interactive sessions with media industry leaders.

VIDEO LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_kffboZuj8

BROCHURE: https://www.sporthumanrights.org/media/mnqdlamq/ymf-call-for-applications-en.pdf 

WHERE: NYC

WHEN: TBD

DEADLINE:  April 19th, 2026

HOW: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeH8rj1RRzNAXd0V4VIXtapXbnrkEshI8mSeS__awFqj2oocw/viewform  

YA-YA SUMMER INSTITUTE (PAID)

WHO: High School Students

WHAT: The YA-YA Network (Youth Activists-Youth Allies) is seeking youth leaders! The YA-YA Network is looking for passionate and motivated young people interested in activism and social justice. They are seeking youth (15-19 years old) who want to learn how to take on a leadership position in social justice movements by building skills needed to make change happen. During their 7-week program youth are trained in anti-oppression, organizing skills, and political education through transformative workshops, and visits to city-wide organizations fighting for change. Participants who successfully complete the Summer Institute will be compensated $1,000 for their participation and role in the community.

WHERE: 135 West 36th Street, Floor PH, New York, NY 10018

WHEN: All meetings take place from June 30th to August 15th from 12:00 PM ET - 6:00 PM ET in person at YA-YA's offices

DEADLINE:  April 6th, 2026

HOW: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0wp0sKvdlEIRhbOAjpg2eApe9wcBX01ArQ40YT3ufLmqQUg/viewform