Champions for Change is the longest-running fellowship of the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) at the Aspen Institute. Each year it names a small cohort of young Native leaders already working to improve their communities.
Over one year, Champs build advocacy, public-speaking and media skills, starting with Champs Week in Washington, DC, and help guide CNAY’s programming through its Youth Advisory Board.
Benefits & funding
- A stipend over the fellowship year (amount not published).
- A mandatory, all-expenses-paid, in-person Champs Week in Washington, DC, in February 2027, including meetings with members of Congress.
- Speaking, media and advocacy opportunities on behalf of CNAY.
- Duty: at least a one-year term on the Youth Advisory Board and regular contact with CNAY staff.
Eligibility
- Native or Indigenous.
- Aged 14–24 on 1 January 2027.
- Currently resides in the United States; no citizenship rule is stated.
- No prior recognition or training is required.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Residence required
USA
Age requirement
14–24 yrs
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Answer five short essay questions (250–500 words each) on the online form; a video is optional.
- 2Arrange two reference letters under 500 words: one from a peer, one professional reference from someone aged 25 or over.
- 3Submit by 15 October 2026, 11:59pm ET; late entries are not considered.
- 4Shortlisted applicants are interviewed on Zoom.
Program timeline
15 Oct 2026
Application deadline (extended from 6 Oct)
Selected Champs notified
By 31 Dec 2026
Fellowship starts
1 Jan 2027
Champs Week, Washington, DC
Feb 2027
Fellowship ends
31 Dec 2027