2025-2026 YRC Fellows
Come join the YRC!
The Youth Research Council (YRC) conducts research for positive impact in Northern Virginia communities, schools, school districts, government, and local and regional organizations. The YRC advises university faculty and students on how to conduct research that centers the expertise and experiences of youth. Our work takes an explicitly anti-racist, inclusive stance. Be part of the change you seek! The Youth Research Council is a partnership of the GMU Center for Social Science Research, GMU Early Identification Program, and Johns Hopkins University School of Education Everyone Graduates Center, University of the District of Columbia, and Georgetown University School of Medicine.
Some things to know about participation in the YRC:
- Participation in the YRC for the 2025-2026 Academic Year is a 20-hour minimum commitment (January 2026- May 2026). Upon completion of the commitment, YRC Fellows will receive an official letter documenting community service or volunteer hours.
- YRC Fellows earn volunteer hours for their participation. YRC Fellows can also elect to receive a stipend for their full participation in YRC activities or count hours completed toward a research internship.
- In the 2024-2025 academic year, several of the YRC Fellows had the opportunity to attend and present YRC research findings at regional and national academic research conferences as well as at the annual YRC convening at the University of the District of Columbia and to co-author research papers and policy briefs. It is highly likely that similar opportunities will be available to YRC Fellows during the upcoming year, although these cannot be guaranteed.
- Youth who will be in grades 9-12 during the 2025-2026 academic year at a Northern Virginia high school are eligible to apply to be a YRC Fellow.
- The 2025-2026 Youth Research Council will expand on the research and outreach completed to date, conducting more data collection and analysis on school safety and engaging in advocacy efforts in this Northern Virginia area.
Due date for submission of interest:
November 2, 2025
In this application, we will ask you to complete the following sections:
- Contact Information
- Availability
- A short essay question:
- Please discuss why you are interested in taking part in the Youth Research Council (YRC) and becoming a YRC Fellow. Feel free to address any or all of the following questions in your response:
- What experience do you have conducting research?
- What do you think research can be used to accomplish?
- How have you supported your community?
- Are there ways you wish youth were involved in research that they are not now?
Please note that answers to this question will be a major deciding factor in determining eligibility for the YRC.
- Previous experience:
- Please include relevant experiences. Feel free to include the any of the following categories or others as appropriate: Education, Work Experience, Volunteer Activities, Achievements/Awards/Certifications, Extra Curricular Activities, Additional Skills, Hobbies, Previous Research Conducted, Relevant Career Aspirations, etc.
- This question is optional. Prior experience is not required.
- Please discuss why you are interested in taking part in the Youth Research Council (YRC) and becoming a YRC Fellow. Feel free to address any or all of the following questions in your response:
Apply for the 2025-2026 Youth Research Council here
or enter the following application link in your browser:
https://gmuchss.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ewYltXBv9BaTNEa
For additional questions, please contact yrc@gmu.edu.
The YRC application process for 2025-2026 will open October 13, 2025
and will be due no later than November 2, 2025.
No late or incomplete applications will be considered.
The YRC will convene in January 2026 and meet through May 2026.