Rustin Fellowship (formerly Georgia Youth Advocacy Fellowship)

The Rustin Fellowship is the successor to the Georgia Youth Advocacy Fellowship. Run by the Rustin Institute for Leadership Development, it prepares emerging leaders through community advocacy, leadership development, creative expression, and civic learning.

The 2026–27 cohort expands beyond Georgia while retaining a focus on the U.S. South. Fellows attend an in-person academy at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta and continue learning through monthly virtual sessions.

Benefits & funding

The fellowship’s learning and development sessions are free.
Fellows take part in a two-day, in-person advocacy academy in Atlanta.
Free monthly virtual sessions continue throughout the 2026–27 academic year.
The official page does not list a cash stipend or travel reimbursement.

Eligibility

Applicants must be 18–30 years old.
The 2026 program welcomes young adults nationally while concentrating its leadership development in the U.S. South, especially Georgia.
The official pages do not state a degree, prior work-experience, nationality, or residency requirement.
The curriculum centers community advocacy, LGBTQ+ movement history, leadership, and creative expression.

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Age requirement
18–30 yrs

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Application process

1
Review the current Rustin Fellowship page and confirm the active cycle’s dates.
2
Complete the application form linked from the official page before the deadline.
3
Follow any current instructions in the live form for prompts and required materials.

Program timeline

June 1, 2026
Applications opened for the 2026–27 cohort.
Application deadline.
August 15, 2026
October 8–12, 2026
IGNYTE 2026 convening, which includes the Rustin Fellows track and in-person academy.
Free monthly virtual learning sessions continue.
2026–27 academic year