FAQs

Everything You Need to Know About youthink

General

We’re youthink—an innovation hub powered by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles that supports changemakers in cultivating new ideas and bold solutions to advance adolescent and young adult health.

We believe everyone is an innovator. Our programs guide youth-serving professionals and young people through an impactful innovation process informed by design thinking—an approach to problem solving that uses empathy and creativity to come up with meaningful solutions. We provide the training, tools, and coaching that help teams and individuals go from challenge to change. Here’s how:

  • Our Incubator Program partners with teams of youth-serving professionals and young people across the U.S. and its territories so they can develop and test innovative solutions to complex adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health challenges in their community. Over 9 months, teams receive specialized training, tailored support, and $60,000 in funding.
  • Our Adolescent Health Innovation Fellowship supports young adults ages 18–25 in innovating new solutions for selected adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health issues. Over 7 weeks, fellows learn from adolescent health experts, collaborate in small teams, gain hands‑on experience, and receive a $5,000 stipend.
Learn more below.

At youthink, we define design thinking as “an innovative approach to problem solving that uses empathy and creativity to come up with meaningful, resonant solutions.” The design thinking methodology has 5 steps:

  • Empathize: Engaging with stakeholders to understand their lived experiences, values, motivations, and deeper needs.
  • Define: Using the data you’ve gathered to clearly identify the problem that needs solving.
  • Ideate: Brainstorming lots of ways to solve the problem, and choosing a few to move forward.
  • Prototype: Building a small-scale representation of an idea to share with stakeholders.
  • Test: Sharing a prototype with stakeholders, listening to feedback, and refining the prototype to create an effective solution.

Design thinking is about putting humans at the center of your problem solving process to make lasting, impactful change. It is intentional, iterative, and engaging. It can be used across public and private sectors, and we really believe in using it to solve pressing problems in adolescent health. Read this article to learn more.

youthink is led by the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Health at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in collaboration with the CHLA Innovation Studio.

youthink is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Population Affairs through its Teen Pregnancy Prevention program.

Learn about what we look for in applicants by reading Incubator Program or our Fellowship pages, or the FAQs for each program below. Currently, people who are employed by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles aren’t eligible to apply.

The youthink Incubator Program is for teams of youth‑serving professionals and young people who want to spend 9 months designing and testing solutions to address adolescent health challenges in their community using design thinking and other innovation principles. youthink provides specialized training, coaching, and $60,000 in funding. 

The youthink Fellowshipis a paid, 7‑week learning experience for young adults (ages 18–25) who want to use design thinking and other innovation principles to address adolescent sexual and reproductive health issues. Fellows will collaborate on creative ideas, gain hands‑on experience, receive expert guidance, and earn a $5,000 stipend.

Coaching gives you support throughout your time with youthink. Your coach helps you with project management so you can stay on track with your milestones, understand what work is on your plate, and feel clear about your next steps. They also provide individualized guidance on how to apply the design thinking and innovation concepts you’re learning, to your project. Every step of the way, your coach serves as a supportive partner who encourages you, celebrates your wins, and helps strengthen your team’s dynamic.

Applications for the next youthink Incubator Program cohort will open from May 22, 2026, to June 5, 2026, or until we receive 40 applications—whichever comes first—and the program will begin in September 2026. Applications for the next youthink Fellowship cohort will open in February 2027 and the program will begin in June 2027. Sign up for our email list for updates.

Incubator Program

The youthinkIncubator Program is a 9-month innovation program for teams of young people and youth-serving professionals from organizations across the United States and its territories. Teams develop and test innovative approaches to complex adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health challenges using design thinking. Teams also receive specialized training, tailored support, and $60,000 in funding.

In the youthink Incubator Program, teams develop an innovation to address a specific adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health challenge in their community. Over 9 months, we guide teams through the youthink Incubator Journey Map and provide hands-on training, coaching, and other support. By the end of the program, each team will have developed and tested a prototype, which is a small-scale, physical representation of their solution. Teams leave the program with a clear plan and a supportive network to continue their work as innovators.

Teams can focus on a variety of issues affecting adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health such as:

  • Consent and boundaries in sexual relationships
  • Recognizing unhealthy or harmful relationship dynamics
  • Puberty and adolescent development
  • Media literacy to sexual and reproductive health
We encourage teams to identify and explore a challenge specific to their own community or work. Learn more about past Incubator Program teams and their focus areas. Please note that past cohorts didn’t work exclusively on sexual and reproductive health.

No, you don’t need, and shouldn’t be attached to, an idea of a solution yet. youthink staff will help teams explore their problem and develop community-informed solutions through the program.

The youthink Incubator Program isn’t the right fit if your team has developed a solution that you would like to focus on moving forward. If you have an existing solution, consider applying to a hybrid or accelerator hub.

You should apply to the youthink Incubator Program if you:

  • Are passionate about improving adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health 
  • Want training, coaching, and $60,000 in funding to learn new ways to solve a challenge in your community and are committed to sustaining your innovation beyond youthink
  • Live in the United States and its territories
  • Are part of a team of 3–4 people (ages 18+), including at least 1 young person (ages 18–25), and have worked together before
  • Can receive funding directly or work with a fiscal sponsor (i.e., an organization that can receive funding for your team)
  • Live in the United States and its territories
  • Can commit about 20-30 hours per person per month for 9 months
  • Are able to travel to Los Angeles, CA for 2 fully funded, in-person gatherings (September 2026 and March 2027)
  Currently, people who are employed by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles aren’t eligible to apply to the Incubator Program.

The youthink Incubator Program is designed for small, collaborative teams working on adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health challenges. In addition to meeting the criteria in the “Who should apply?” section, we’ll prioritize teams that are youth‑led or youth‑centered—meaning young people have real decision-making power, and don’t just play an advisory role.

  • Youth team members have an employment or formal engagement arrangement with the organization and are paid for their role.
  • Team members have the time and capacity to participate fully in this program. We expect the program to require 20–30 hours per person per month, though teams should plan flexibly to meet project deliverables.
  • Teams are from the same organization to support coordination and long‑term sustainability. Teams bring different perspectives and skills (e.g., program design, community engagement, lived experience, or subject‑matter expertise).
While these characteristics describe an ideal team, we recognize that strong teams can take different forms. If your team looks a little different but shares a commitment to youth‑centered innovation and collaboration, we still encourage you to apply.

Yes. Each team must have a partner organization that can serve as a fiscal sponsor. Your fiscal sponsor must be: 

  • A legally recognized entity (e.g., non-profit organization, school, college, university, hospital or health organization, government agency, for-profit organization)
  • Able to subcontract with youthink, as well as receive and manage funds from on behalf of your team
  • Responsible for financial reporting and accountability
  Team members don’t need to be employed by their fiscal sponsor. Team members may also be from multiple different organizations or serve as “individual contributors” (i.e., no organizational affiliation).

Each team should include 1 team lead who: 

  • Handles administrative communication with youthink staff
  • Assists with reporting and managing youthink funds
  • Keeps their team involved and active
  Each team should also include at least 1 youth leader who:
  • Are ages 18-25
  • Has equal voice and responsibility as other team members
  Note: Your team must be fully identified before you submit your application and present at the time of your interview. We encourage young adults to serve as team leads. Team members can be from different organizations. People who aren’t associated with any organization can still apply as part of a team, as long as the team has an eligible fiscal sponsor.

No. Your team doesn’t need to have funding from any specific source to apply. You can apply even if you don’t have funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Population Affairs or Teen Pregnancy Prevention program.

The application and selection process for the youthink

  • Step 1: Written Application (about 2 weeks) The application opens on May 22, 2026 with an informational webinar and close on June 5, 2026, or until we receive 40 applications—whichever comes first. Teams will have about 2 weeks to apply through the Ideawake application platform which lets team members collaborate and save drafts before submitting. Teams are encouraged to apply early, so youthink staff have enough time to review each application thoroughly.
  • Step 2: Initial Review (about 3 weeks) youthink staff and advisors review each application to see how well it aligns with our goals, vision, and guiding principles.
  • Step 3: Interview (about 4 weeks) Selected teams are invited to interview with youthink staff. The interview helps us learn more about the team’s ideas, commitment, dynamics, and innovation potential.
  • Step 4: Final Review (about 2 weeks) youthink staff select teams based on their application, interview, and other factors such as geography, topic, cohort composition, and team readiness.
  • Step 5: Final Decision (about 1 week) Teams are notified of youthink’s final decision by July 2026. Selected teams then begin the onboarding process to get ready for the start of the program. Please note that we’re unable to share updates before we notify teams of our final decisions, and we can’t respond to individual emails requesting early updates. 

Yes. You can preview application questions in the How to Apply Guide (coming soon). Join our email list to get updates about when applications open and to receive the guide. We’ll also post it on our website when applications open.

Your team can collaborate on the application by working together on draft responses in a shared document before entering them into Ideawake. Please make sure that only one person submits the final application.

By participating in the youthink Incubator Program, you’ll gain a wealth of valuable experiences, skills, and resources including:

  • Innovation expertise:  Learn and apply design thinking skills to identify and solve problems in human-centered ways, understand the experiences and needs of the community you serve, and develop and test creative solutions
  • New adolescent health perspectives: Apply positive youth development and youth engagement concepts
  • A dedicated support network: Work with changemakers and get guidance from experts including a coach dedicated to your team’s success
  • Funding: Receive $60,000stipend for personnel, incentives, and other innovation needs
  • Hands-on learning: Engage in virtual trainings, regular coaching, cohort-wide calls, and 2 fully funded in-person gatherings
  • Lasting impact: Develop ideas that will help young people in your community and beyond

The youthink Incubator Program lasts 9 months. Time commitment varies by phase and team role. Across the program, most participants can expect to spend an average of 20–30 hours per month, with higher time commitments at key points.

Typical monthly time commitment:

  • September 2026: 40–50 hours (includes first in‑person gathering)
  • October 2026: 30–40 hours
  • November 2026: 20–30 hours
  • December 2026: 20–30 hours
  • January 2027: 20–30 hours
  • February 2027: 20–30 hours
  • March 2027: 30–40 hours
  • April 2027: 30–40 hours (includes second in‑person gathering)
  • May 2027: 20–30 hours

Key activities include:

  • Monthly virtual trainings and cohort meetings (about 4–6 hours per month)
  • Weekly coaching calls with your team (about 4 hours per month)
  • Weekly team meetings without youthink staff (about 6–8 hours per month)
  • Independent team or individual work to reach key milestones (time varies)

In addition, participants should plan for:

  • About 10 hours before the program starts for onboarding
  • 2 in‑person gatherings, each consisting of approximately 24 hours of program time, plus travel time
  • About 5 hours after the program ends for evaluation activities

The next youthink Incubator Program cohort will begin in September 2026. Mark your calendar for:

  • Informational webinar: May 22, 2026 at 11 a.m. PT
  • Application period: May 22, 2026-June 5, 2026 (or until we receive 40 applications, whichever comes first)
  • Onboarding: August-September 2026
  • Program activities: September 2026-May 2027

The youthink Incubator Program isn’t a grant. Instead, we ask participants should think of this opportunity as technical assistance that comes with funding. We provide $60,000 that can be used towards personnel, incentives, and other costs associated with your innovation process. Teams will be paid upon completion of 4 distinct deliverables (about every 2 months).

If selected to join, youthink will provide funding as a subcontract to your fiscal sponsor. Your fiscal sponsor will be asked to complete or provide the following documents:

  • Subcontract commitment form (form provided)
  • Budget and justification (template provided)
  • Federal indirect cost rate agreement (if you have one)
  youthink staff will help you complete these documents as needed.

Yes. The youthink team will work with you to create a budget based on your needs during the program that ensures all funds are spent during the 9-month period.

Yes.

Fellowship

The youthink Adolescent Health Innovation Fellowship is a 7-week innovation program for young adults ages (18-25) living in the United States and its territories. Fellows learn and apply design thinking and other innovation principles to adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health issues. Working in small teams, fellows develop innovative ideas, learn from experts at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, gain hands-on experience in adolescent health, and receive a $5,000 stipend.

In the youthink Fellowship, young people (ages 18-25) will learn and practice how to innovate to address a challenge in adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health. Each fellow will be placed on a team with 3 other fellows and will work to develop solutions for selected focus areas. During Week 1, fellows will participate in an in-person gathering where they’ll connect with their teams and learn foundational innovation skills and concepts. During Weeks 2-7, teams will work virtually—on their own and with their teams—to complete milestones informed by the youthink Fellowship Journey Map, supported by a coach and connections with the larger cohort each step of the way. By the end of the program, each team will have developed and tested a prototype—or small-scale, physical representation of a solution that addresses their challenge.

You should apply to the youthink Fellowship if you:

  • Are passionate about adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health
  • Want to learn new ways to create innovative solutions
  • Work in or are interested in public health, social work, psychology or related fields
  • Have a high school diploma or GED and at least 1 year of work, education or volunteer experience
  • Are ages 18–25
  • Live in and are eligible to work in the U.S. and its territories
  • Are available to participate in the 7-week program
  • Week 1: Fully funded 4-day in-person gathering in Los Angeles, CA
  • Week 2-7: 20-25 hours per week of virtual programing, including team and individual work
  Currently, people who are employed by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles or are past youthink participants aren’t eligible to apply.

youthink Fellows will dive deep into an important need in adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health, such as:

  • Access to knowledge and information
  • Decision-making and relationships
  • Engaging young men
  Applicants will review and rank their interest in specific focus areas as part of the application process.

The application and selection process for the youthink Fellowship takes about 2 months from start to finish and is designed to identify individuals that are a good fit. The general process is:  

  • Step 1: Written Application (about 2 weeks) You’ll have about 2 weeks to apply through the Ideawake application platform. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, so youthink staff have enough time to review each application thoroughly.
  • Step 2: Initial Review (about 2 weeks) youthink staff review each application to see how well it aligns with youthink goals, vision, and guiding principles.
  • Step 3: Interview (about 4 weeks) Selected individuals are invited to an interview with youthink staff. 
  • Step 4: Final Review (about 2 weeks) youthink staff select individuals based on their application, interview, and other factors such as geography, cohort composition, and readiness.
  • Step 5: Final Decision (about 1 week)
Individuals are notified of youthink’s final decision. Selected participants then begin the onboarding process to get ready for the start of the program. Please note that we’re unable to share updates before we notify teams of our final decisions, and we can’t respond to individual emails requesting early updates.

We accepted 12 fellows for the first youthink Fellowship cohort (June-August 2026). The cohort reflects a range of experiences, interests, backgrounds, and geographic locations in the U.S. and its territories.

Week 1 of the youthink Fellowship begins with a fully funded, 4‑day, in‑person gathering. Weeks 2-7 will be virtual—fellows will participate in live trainings and meetings with their cohort, teams, and coaches, as well as engage in independent work.

As a youthink Fellow, you’ll gain a wealth of valuable experiences, skills, and resources including:

  • Training and coaching in design thinking and adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health innovation
  • A $5,000  stipend for your participation 
  • A letter or recommendation upon successful completion
  • Hands‑on experience designing and testing an adolescent sexual and reproductive health innovation
  • Professional development support, including personalized guidance 
  • A letter of recommendation upon successful completion
  • Professional development support
  • Opportunities to build your professional network
  • A plan and supportive network to continue your work as innovators

Yes. You may work another job while you’re in the youthink Fellowship. A part-time or flexible job will likely be easier to manage during the program. If you have another job, you must still meet all program requirements, including attending the in-person gathering, joining virtual meetings, and completing weekly milestones on time.

The youthink Fellowship is 7 weeks long. Week 1 includes a 4-day in-person gathering with a to be about 30–50-hour time commitment. Weeks 2-7 will have a 20-30 hours per week time commitment, and will include:

  • A 1-2 hour meeting with the cohort 
  • A 1-hour coaching call with you and your team
  • 2-4 hours of meetings with your team (without youthink staff)
  • Between 10-15 hours of independent work
  In addition to the above, each participant should plan for:
  • 10 hours before the program starts for onboarding and pre-work activities
  • 5 hours after the program ends for evaluation activities
  Fellows must be ready to participate fully in youthink.

Please join our email list for updates on future youthink Fellowship cohorts.

youthink Fellows will receive a $5,000 stipend at the end of the program after they complete all program requirements. The stipend is paid by check and typically takes 4–6 weeks to process. youthink will cover travel and it won’t be taken out of the stipend.

If selected for the youthink Fellowship, you’ll need to fill out a W-9 form and a general vendor agreement to receive payment from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. You don’t need to submit immunization records or any other medical information. We’ll provide more details during onboarding.

You’ll need access to a computer, reliable internet, a quiet space, and the ability to travel to the 4-day in-person gathering. youthink will pay for travel.

youthink will arrange and pay for your flight, hotel, airport transportation, and several meals in advance of your travel. For other eligible expenses—such as meals not provided or baggage fees—youthink will give you gift cards, so you won’t need to pay out of pocket. If you do have direct expenses, you can request reimbursement by completing our reimbursement form. Reimbursement is typically processed within 4–6 weeks after the event. You’ll receive more detailed information during onboarding.