Join youthink

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 selected 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 and young adult sexual and reproductive health, join a national community of experts and peers, and receive a $5,000 stipend. Applications for our next Fellowship cohort will open in February 2027 and the program will begin in June 2027. Join our email list for updates.

What will you do?

As a youthink Fellow, you’ll:

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

Who should apply?

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

What will you get?

As a youthink Fellow, you’ll receive:

  • Training and coaching in design thinking
  • Hands-on experience developing and testing an adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health innovation
  • 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?

Read Our FAQs

  • Join our email list to receive updates about the application
  • 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 program

  • youthink staff will review all applications, interviews, and references
  • Selected applicants will complete onboarding

Application Information

Timeline

  • Coming soon

Application

  • Coming soon

 

How to Apply Guide

  • Coming soon

FAQs

youthink.health/faqs

 

Website

youthink.health

 

Email

youthink@chla.usc.edu