Apply to the Youth Research Council
The Youth Research Council (YRC) is a research collaborative and community-based experiential learning innovation designed to give high school students experience in conducting and analyzing social science research data. Becoming a YRC fellow gives students the opportunity to conduct research about issues they choose as a group and be mentored and advised by CNU faculty on how to conduct research that speaks to the needs and builds on the strengths of youth.
Launched in the Fall of 2025, the Youth Research Council is a partnership of Christopher Newport University’s Center for Education Research and Policy, CNU’s Office of Research and Creative Activities, and the local non-profit organization, Alternatives, Inc. The program is modeled after the YRC program that was founded at George Mason University.
Some things to know about participation in the YRC:
- Participation in the YRC for the 2025-2026 Academic Year is a 20-hour minimum commitment (January 2026- May 2026). Upon completion of the commitment, YRC Fellows will receive an official letter documenting community service or volunteer hours.
- YRC Fellows earn volunteer hours for their participation.
- YRC Fellows will have an opportunity to present preliminary findings of their work at the Hampton Roads Social Justice Conference at CNU in April.
- Youth who will be in grades 9-12 during the 2025-2026 academic year at a Hampton Roads high school are eligible to apply to be a YRC Fellow.
- Youth will have an opportunity to apply to continue their work in the 2026-2027 Youth Research Council, which will expand on this year’s research and continue advocacy efforts in the region.
In this application, we will ask you to complete the following sections:
- Contact Information
- Availability
- A short essay question:
- How are you involved in your community? What issues do you really care about in your community? (You may consider family, friends, neighbors, classmates, local organizations and the like as your ‘community.’)
- Please include any relevant experience that you would bring to the YRC. Feel free to include any of the following categories or others as appropriate: Education, Work Experience, Volunteer Activities, Achievements/Awards/Certifications, Extra Curricular Activities, Additional Skills, Hobbies, Previous Research Conducted, Relevant Career Aspirations, etc.
- Prior research experience is not a requirement of this fellowship.
- Students will need to gain parental consent to participate in this program.
For additional questions, please contact cerp@cnu.edu.