Brave Heart Fellowship
Champions for Change
CA Native Youth Collective
Remembering Our Sisters
Building Communities of Hope
Creative Native
Democracy is IndigenousCNAY is excited to announce that applications for the 2026 Champions for Change cohort are now open! We are accepting submissions through October 27.
Champions for Change is a Native youth leadership program designed to highlight positive stories of impact from Indian Country. Each year, the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) selects 5-6 inspirational youth (ages 14-24) to serve as Champions for Change (or ‘Champs’): young leaders from across the country with a desire to better their communities. This can be done in schools or programs, on reservations or in urban environments – anywhere there is opportunity to cultivate positive impact!
Champs serve as representatives of the next generation of leaders. Over the course of a year, they will receive a stipend as well as public speaking, advocacy and leadership opportunities. All applicants, regardless of acceptance, become part of the CNAY network and engage with our community.
Applicants must submit their Champions for Change Application (see button) no later than October 27, 2025 at 11:59pm ET. Late submissions will not be reviewed.
To be considered, you must respond to four short answer questions and submit two letters of recommendation – one from a peer and one from a professional (25+). PLEASE NOTE: you will not be able to save the application and come back to it!
We Recommend
- Preparing your responses ahead of time, double checking your work and submitting only once you have all your materials ready;
- Reviewing all the information on the Champions for Change page and reading our FAQs to get all your questions answered before submitting; and
- Starting the process early, as it will take time to complete!
Submission Eligibility
- Self-identify as Native or Indigenous;
- Are between the ages of 14 and 24 years old on January 1, 2026; and
- Currently reside in the United States.
After an extensive review process and a round of interviews, five/six final Champions for Change will be notified no later than December 19, 2025. The Fellowship period runs from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, with a mandatory, in-person weeklong convening (‘Champs Week’) held in February 2026 – all expenses paid.
Questions? Please check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or contact Senior Program Manager Katy Stewart (katy.stewart@aspeninstitute.org). We also have a printable flyer available to share in your community.