Young people aged 15 to 24 who are passionate about their communities, youth engagement, social change, and making a positive difference have an opportunity to apply for the Born This Way Foundation Youth Advisory Board 2027–2028 cohort.

Applications are now open for young people who want to contribute their ideas and perspectives to research, programs, campaigns, and community initiatives. Members of the Youth Advisory Board will also have the opportunity to serve as ambassadors for the Foundation’s work in their communities and beyond.

The opportunity is open to applicants from around the globe, while the Foundation is also specifically seeking applicants from Brazil, Canada, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Applications must be submitted by September 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.

About the Born This Way Foundation Youth Advisory Board

The Born This Way Foundation has been shaped and guided by young people since its founding nearly 15 years ago. Youth participation is therefore an important part of the Foundation’s approach to its work.

The Youth Advisory Board provides young people with an opportunity to contribute directly to initiatives connected to the Foundation’s mission. Rather than simply being recipients of youth-focused programs, members can contribute their perspectives and ideas to help inform the organization’s research, programs, and campaigns.

Youth Advisory Board members also serve as ambassadors for the Foundation’s work, allowing them to share and promote its mission within their communities and beyond.

The newly announced cohort will cover the 2027–2028 period.

Applications Are Now Open for the 2027–2028 Cohort

The Foundation is inviting young people between 15 and 24 years old to apply.

The opportunity may be particularly relevant to young people who:

• Want to become more involved in their communities
• Have ideas about issues affecting young people
• Are interested in youth leadership and participation
• Want to contribute to research, programs, or campaigns
• Are interested in social impact and community engagement
• Want to represent young people’s perspectives
• Are interested in working with other young people
• Want to contribute to creating a kinder and braver world

Applicants do not necessarily need to have extensive professional experience. The announcement emphasizes young people who are eager to become involved in their communities and beyond.

What Does the Youth Advisory Board Do?

Youth Advisory Board members have an important role in helping shape and support the Foundation’s work.

According to the announcement, members play a key role in helping the organization carry out research, programs, and campaigns that are central to its mission.

1. Contribute to Research

Youth Advisory Board members can bring their perspectives and experiences to research activities.

The involvement of young people can help ensure that youth-related research takes into consideration the perspectives and experiences of the people it seeks to understand or support.

2. Contribute to Programs

Board members also play a role in the Foundation’s programs.

Their ideas and perspectives can help inform programs and initiatives intended to engage and support young people.

3. Support Campaigns

Campaigns are another important area of Youth Advisory Board involvement.

Members can contribute youth perspectives to campaigns connected to the Foundation’s mission and help ensure that youth voices are represented.

4. Serve as Ambassadors

Youth Advisory Board members also serve as ambassadors for the Foundation’s work.

This means that members can help communicate the Foundation’s work within their communities and beyond, extending youth engagement beyond the board itself.

Who Should Consider Applying?

The opportunity is designed for young people who want to participate actively in their communities and contribute their ideas to work involving young people.

A prospective applicant may be particularly well suited to the opportunity if they have an interest in areas such as:

• Youth leadership
• Community development
• Social change
• Advocacy
• Youth participation
• Campaigns and communications
• Research
• Community organizing
• Social impact
• Youth-focused initiatives

However, the source does not provide a specific list of academic qualifications, professional experience requirements, or required degrees.

The central eligibility information provided is that applicants should be 15 to 24 years old and interested in getting involved in their communities and beyond.

What Is the Age Requirement?

The opportunity is specifically aimed at young people aged:

15 to 24 years old

Anyone considering applying should make sure they meet the age requirement before submitting an application.

The source does not provide additional age-related conditions beyond the stated 15–24 age range.

Are There Specific Educational Requirements?

The announcement does not identify a minimum educational qualification.

It does not state that applicants must:

• Hold a university degree
• Be university students
• Have completed secondary school
• Have professional qualifications
• Have previous employment experience

Instead, the opportunity focuses on young people and their interest in becoming involved in their communities and beyond.

Applicants should therefore carefully follow the actual questions and requirements in the official application rather than assuming that a particular academic qualification is necessary.

Are There Specific Professional Experience Requirements?

No specific professional experience requirement is stated in the provided announcement.

The Youth Advisory Board is intended to involve young people in the Foundation’s research, programs, campaigns, and community engagement. Applicants can therefore focus on communicating their interests, experiences, ideas, community involvement, and motivation.

Examples of relevant experiences could include community activities, volunteering, youth initiatives, student organizations, advocacy activities, creative projects, campaigns, or other forms of community engagement, although the source does not state that any of these are mandatory.

Click HERE to read more.

Information Sessions for Applicants

Prospective applicants are also encouraged to attend an information session.

These sessions are designed to give interested young people an opportunity to ask questions about the Youth Advisory Board and hear directly from a current Youth Advisory Board member about their experience.

The sessions are 60 minutes long.

The Foundation has stated that the sessions will not be recorded, and interested applicants are encouraged to RSVP for only one session because spaces are limited.

Information Session 1

August 25, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET

Status: Session Full

Information Session 2

September 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET

Registration is available through the designated information-session registration page.

Information Session 3

September 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET

Registration is available through the designated information-session registration page.

Information Session 4

September 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET

The announcement states that this session is almost full.

Because spaces are limited, applicants who want to attend should register as early as possible.

Application Deadline

The Youth Advisory Board application deadline is:

September 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET

Applicants should make sure their application is submitted before the deadline.

Waiting until the final day can create unnecessary problems if an applicant encounters technical difficulties or needs additional time to review their responses.

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How Applicants Can Prepare a Strong Application

Although the provided announcement does not publish a formal scoring rubric, applicants can use the purpose of the Youth Advisory Board to guide their preparation.

1. Think about your community involvement

Consider how you have participated in your community.

This does not necessarily have to involve a formal organization. Community involvement can take many forms, and applicants should focus on experiences that demonstrate their willingness to contribute and engage with others.

2. Explain your interests

Think about the issues affecting young people that matter to you.

Be specific about what motivates you and why you would like to contribute to the Foundation’s work.

3. Share your ideas

The Youth Advisory Board is intended to be shaped and guided by young people.

Applicants should therefore consider what perspectives, ideas, or experiences they could bring to the board.

4. Demonstrate your willingness to participate

Being a Youth Advisory Board member involves contributing to research, programs, campaigns, and the Foundation’s broader work.

Applicants should demonstrate that they are genuinely interested in participating rather than simply seeking a title or credential.

5. Be authentic

The Foundation says it is looking forward to learning more about applicants, their ideas, and how they hope to help build a kinder and braver world.

Applicants should therefore allow their personality, experiences, interests, and aspirations to come through in their responses.

Important Dates

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Born This Way Foundation Youth Advisory Board?

It is a youth-focused advisory opportunity through which young people contribute to the Foundation’s research, programs, campaigns, and community work while also serving as ambassadors for its work.

Who can apply?

Young people aged 15 to 24 can apply.

Can applicants from outside the United States apply?

Yes. The Foundation states that it welcomes applicants from around the globe.

Which countries are specifically highlighted?

Brazil, Canada, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Do I need to live in one of the seven countries?

The announcement does not say that applicants must live in one of these countries. It specifically says that applicants from around the globe are welcome while identifying these seven countries as recruitment priorities.

Do I need a university degree?

No educational qualification is specified in the provided announcement.

Do I need professional experience?

No specific professional experience requirement is stated.

Is there a race or ethnicity requirement?

No race or ethnicity requirement is stated in the provided information.

When is the deadline?

Applications are due September 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.

Are there information sessions?

Yes. The Foundation has scheduled four information sessions, although the first is already full and the fourth is almost full according to the announcement.

Will the information sessions be recorded?

No. The Foundation states that the sessions will not be recorded.

How do I apply?

Applications can be submitted through the official Born This Way Foundation Youth Advisory Board application page.

Final Takeaway

The Born This Way Foundation Youth Advisory Board 2027–2028 is an opportunity for young people to take an active role in work that affects youth and communities. Through the board, participants can contribute to research, programs, and campaigns while serving as ambassadors for the Foundation’s work.

The opportunity is particularly relevant to young people who want to develop their leadership, share their perspectives, become more involved in their communities, and contribute to initiatives designed around young people’s experiences and needs.

Applications are open to young people aged 15–24 from around the world, with the Foundation specifically seeking applicants from Brazil, Canada, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Young people interested in applying should carefully review the official application and consider attending one of the available information sessions if space remains.

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