Frequently Asked Questions

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.

In-person meetings will take place at Christopher Newport University or at the Alternatives, Inc. office.

The YRC 2025-2026 session will run from late December 2025 through June 2026.

YRC fellows are selected through an application process. Applicants must apply through YRC’s application portal, which for the 2025-2026 session, will open October 30, 2025 and close on November 30, 2025. After carefully reviewing applications, the leadership team will select fellows to participate in the program.

Youths who will be in grades 9-12 during the 2025-2026 academic year in any Hampton Roads area high school are eligible to apply to be a YRC fellow. High school students interested in developing social science research skills to better understand social problems and create social change are encouraged to apply. No previous research experience is required, just the energy to learn.

While we wish we could admit everyone who applies, we are only able to accept a limited number of fellows. Because of this, applicants should take special attention to fully complete the application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The YRC application begins by asking applicants to provide contact information and availability followed by a short essay question. For applicants' review and preparation, the short essay prompt is as follows:

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.

Participation in YRC is free. Travel to and from CNU’s campus or Alternatives, Inc. is not included.

All fellows must commit to attending four 2-hour face-to-face meetings at Christopher Newport University’s campus and Alternatives, Inc. Students should expect to participate in approximately 10-15 additional hours of virtual research and presentation preparation (January 2026-June 2026).

Students may elect to present preliminary research findings at the Hampton Roads Justice Conference held on CNU’s campus April 14-15, 2026. Here, students will have an opportunity to present their research findings to school administrators, teachers and academic scholars, and local city leaders. CERP will pay the conference registration fee for all fellows who opt to participate.

YRC Fellows may also have opportunities to present their research findings to local leaders, at an academic conference, although these things are not necessarily guaranteed.

At the end of the year, YRC fellows will receive a letter documenting the total number of community service, volunteer, or internship hours completed.

We do ask that applicants commit to the full schedule of 4 in-person meetings and most of the virtual meetings with our mentors. Because we can’t admit all who apply, we ask that applicants not commit to the program unless they are able to attend the minimum number of meetings. If you are not able to commit to this schedule, we ask that you consider applying in a future year.

To apply to be a fellow with the 2025-2026 Youth Research Council, please visit https://cnu.edu/cerp/yrc/apply.