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Fellowship

The youthink Adolescent Health Innovation Fellowship, Cohort 1, 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 selected adolescent 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, join a national community of experts and peers, and receive a $5,000 stipend. Our first cohort will run from June–August 2026.

Apply to Fellowship

What will you do?

By participating, youthink Fellows will gain a wealth of valuable experiences, skills, and resources including:

Work with a team of 3 other fellows to innovate around a specific challenge in adolescent sexual and reproductive health
Learn and apply core design thinking and innovation skills to understand the problem, generate ideas, and prototype a potential solution
Get coaching and feedback throughout the innovation process
Create a plan and supportive network to continue their work as innovators

Who should apply?

We’re looking for young people who are ready to learn, collaborate, and lead. You should apply if you:

Are passionate about adolescent 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
Are ages 18–25
Have a high school diploma or GED and at least one year of work, education or volunteer experience
Live in and are eligible to work in the U.S. and its territories
Can travel to Los Angeles, CA, for a 4-day, in-person training (week of June 22; fully funded by youthink)
Can commit to 20–25 hours per week of virtual team and individual work for the remaining 6 weeks of the program (June 29 – August 7)

What will you get?

youthink Fellows will receive:

Training and coaching in design thinking and adolescent sexual and reproductive health innovation
Hands‑on experience designing and testing a health innovation
A 7‑week cohort experience with peers who share your passion
A 4‑day in‑person training with CHLA experts and cohort members in Los Angeles, CA
A $5,000 stipend for your participation
A letter of recommendation upon successful completion
Professional development support, including personalized guidance
Opportunities to build your professional network
A plan and supportive network to continue your work as innovators

Take a look at our youthink Fellowship journey map below for more information:

Fellows participate in a fully funded 4-day in-person gathering—building connections and learning design thinking skills to guide their journey

Fellows connect with people impacted by their issue area to identify key needs and insights

Fellows use feedback from stakeholders to create focused problem statements to guide their work

Fellows generate creative, human-centered ideas and choose one to develop further

Fellows work to turn their ideas into simple prototypes

Fellows share prototypes with stakeholders, learn from their feedback, and consider how to refine their innovations

Fellows showcase their work, celebrate their progress, and look ahead to what is next with their prototype and their future as innovators

Fellows participate in a fully funded 4-day in-person gathering—building connections and learning design thinking skills to guide their journey

Fellows connect with people impacted by their issue area to identify key needs and insights

Fellows use feedback from stakeholders to create focused problem statements to guide their work

Fellows generate creative, human-centered ideas and choose one to develop further

Fellows work to turn their ideas into simple prototypes

Fellows share prototypes with stakeholders, learn from their feedback, and consider how to refine their innovations

Fellows showcase their work, celebrate their progress, and look ahead to what is next with their prototype and their future as innovators

How do I apply?

Apply to Fellowship
Read How to Apply Guide
Read Our FAQs

Join our email list to receive updates about the application timeline
When applications open, create an Ideawake account to start your application
Use Google Chrome as your browser for the best experience

Provide your contact information and answer questions about your experience and interests
Confirm your eligibility (e.g., age, education)

Selected applicants will be invited to a virtual interview with youthink staff
Share your interests and ideas and learn more about the fellowship

youthink staff will review all applications, interviews, and references
Selected applicants will complete onboarding, and prepare for the fellowship

Application Information

Timeline

February 6, 2026: Informational webinar (slides, recording)
February 9–20, 2026: Application period
- Open until February 20 or until we receive 75 applications, whichever comes first
June 22-25, 2026 (plus travel days): In-person gathering (Los Angeles, CA)
June 26–August 7, 2026: Virtual programming