Join youthink

Incubator Program

The youthink Incubator Program is a 9-month innovation program for teams of youth-serving professionals and young people from organizations across the United States and its territories. Teams use design thinking to develop and test innovative approaches to complex adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health challenges in their community. Teams also receive specialized training, one-on-one coaching, and $60,000 in funding. Applications for our next cohort will open on May 22, 2026, and the program will run from September 2026 to May 2027.

Apply to the Incubator Program

What will you do? 

As a participant in the youthink  Incubator Program, you’ll work with your team to:

  • Develop an innovation that addresses an adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health challenge in your community
  • Use design thinking and other innovation principles to develop, test, and refine a prototype (i.e., a small-scale, physical model of an idea)
  • Receive training, coaching, and feedback throughout the innovation journey
  • Develop a plan for long-term impact and join a supportive network to continue your work as innovators

Why should you apply?

You should apply for 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 solution beyond youthink
  • 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. 

What will you get?

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

  • Innovation expertise: Learn and apply design thinking skills to identify and solve problems in your community 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 $60,000 stipend 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 events
  • Lasting impact: Develop ideas that will help young people in your community and beyond

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

In the Onboard stage, teams complete onboarding paperwork. 

In the Orient stage, teams get acquainted, learn about the youthink process, and hone their focus area for the program.

In the Empathize stage, teams connect with stakeholders and learn about their deeper experiences and needs. 

In the Define stage, teams analyze the information they’ve gathered from stakeholders and clearly define the problem they are solving.

In the Ideate stage, teams brainstorm ideas for how to address their problem and choose one to develop further. 

In the Prototype stage, teams build a small-scale representation of their idea to share with stakeholders. 

In the Test stage, teams share their prototype with stakeholders, listen to feedback, and refine it.

In the Sustain stage, teams pitch their innovation and set goals for the future.

In the Onboard stage, teams complete onboarding paperwork. 

In the Orient stage, teams get acquainted, learn about the youthink process, and hone their focus area for the program.

In the Empathize stage, teams connect with stakeholders and learn about their deeper experiences and needs. 

In the Define stage, teams analyze the information they’ve gathered from stakeholders and clearly define the problem they are solving.

In the Ideate stage, teams brainstorm ideas for how to address their problem and choose one to develop further. 

In the Prototype stage, teams build a small-scale representation of their idea to share with stakeholders. 

In the Test stage, teams share their prototype with stakeholders, listen to feedback, and refine it.

In the Sustain stage, teams pitch their innovation and set goals for the future.

How do I apply?

Apply to the Incubator Program
Read Our FAQs

  • Join our email list to get notified when applications open
  • Create an Ideawake account to begin your application
  • Use Google Chrome as your browser for the best experience

  • Provide the contact details the team lead
  • Work with your team to answer questions in application

  • Selected teams will be invited to virtual interviews with youthink staff to discuss their ideas

  • Teams will be notified about youthink’s final decision
  • If chosen, teams will start the onboarding process

Additional Information

Application Timeline

 

 

How to Apply Guide

  • Coming soon

Application
youthink.ideawake.com

 

FAQs
youthink.health/faqs

 

Website
youthink.health

 

Email
youthink@chla.usc.edu

Apply to the Incubator Program