International Youth Foundation (IYF) Youth Research & Learning Fellow 2026: Paid Remote Fellowship for U.S. University Students, Earning Up to $28 per Hour

The International Youth Foundation (IYF) Youth Research & Learning Fellow 2026 is a paid, remote fellowship opportunity for university students in the United States who are interested in education, youth development, curriculum design, workforce readiness, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on learning and employment.

Through this fellowship, the International Youth Foundation seeks to involve young people directly in the development of a redesigned Passport to Success® curriculum package for the age of AI. The selected fellow will help research emerging workforce trends, examine how AI is changing education and career pathways, gather insights from young people and industry professionals, and recommend improvements to learning materials that prepare young people for the future of work.

The opportunity is particularly relevant to students who want to combine research, education, youth engagement, and practical curriculum development experience. Undergraduate students are offered a rate of $23 per hour, while graduate students are offered $28 per hour. The role is described as fully remote, although applicants must meet a specific location requirement: they must be enrolled at a university and located within approximately one hour of Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, or Detroit.

The fellowship is designed to ensure that young people’s experiences and aspirations inform educational resources intended for their own generation. By contributing to research, interviews, focus groups, and curriculum review, the fellow will help IYF develop learning experiences that connect social-emotional learning, career readiness, and the skills needed to thrive in an AI-influenced world.

Application deadline: No closing date is stated in the available vacancy description. Interested candidates should check the official application portal to confirm whether applications remain open.

About the International Youth Foundation

The International Youth Foundation is a global nonprofit organisation focused on connecting young people with opportunities that can improve their lives and strengthen their prospects for meaningful employment.

With a history spanning approximately 36 years, IYF works with young people, foundations, governments, and global corporations to provide life skills training and industry-specific learning opportunities. Its work aims to help young people bridge the gap between their existing circumstances and access to sustainable employment.

The organisation places particular emphasis on employment because access to relevant skills and good jobs can help address a range of challenges affecting young people and their communities. These include economic insecurity and other social pressures that can limit opportunities for young people to participate fully in society.

According to the organisation’s supplied description, IYF has reached young people in 182 countries through more than 600 local partners. It reports having directly served over 8 million young people in person and reached another 6 million online.

IYF’s approach to youth development

IYF’s work recognises that young people need more than academic knowledge to navigate a changing employment landscape. They may also need communication skills, problem-solving abilities, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and an understanding of how their interests connect with employment opportunities.

The Youth Research & Learning Fellow role reflects this approach. By involving young people in curriculum development, IYF aims to make its educational resources more relevant to the experiences, concerns, and goals of the people who will use them.

The fellowship also reflects the importance of connecting education with employers’ expectations. As technology changes how people learn and work, educational programmes must consider the skills that young people will need to adapt, collaborate, and make informed career decisions.

Overview of the Youth Research & Learning Fellow Position

The Youth Research & Learning Fellow will contribute to the development of a new version of IYF’s Passport to Success® curriculum, adapted for the age of artificial intelligence.

The fellow will work with IYF’s US Programs team and other fellows to research current education and workforce trends, consult industry professionals, engage young people through focus groups, and recommend revisions to existing learning materials.

The position is designed to bring the perspectives of young people into the curriculum development process. Rather than relying exclusively on the views of educators or employers, IYF wants to understand the experiences, aspirations, concerns, and needs of young people as they prepare for employment in a changing economy.

The fellow will help connect three important perspectives:

• Young people: Their learning experiences, expectations, concerns, and ideas about future careers.
• Educators and youth-serving organisations: Their understanding of young people’s development needs and the educational resources available to them.
• Employers and industry professionals: Their insights into emerging workforce trends and the skills needed for employment.

By bringing these perspectives together, the fellow will help inform a curriculum package intended to strengthen social-emotional learning, career readiness, and other skills relevant to success in an AI-influenced world.

Position details at a glance

Category	Details
Position title	Youth Research & Learning Fellow
Organisation	International Youth Foundation (IYF)
Opportunity type	Paid fellowship
Work arrangement	Fully remote
Geographic requirement	Within approximately one hour of Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, or Detroit
Employment classification	Non-exempt
Undergraduate pay rate	$23 per hour
Graduate student pay rate	$28 per hour
Project timeline	Approximately six months, with work periods specified in the vacancy
Core focus	Youth research, curriculum development, AI and workforce trends, and social-emotional learning
Supervisor	Program Officer, US Programs
Application deadline	Not stated in the vacancy description

What Is the Passport to Success® Curriculum?

Passport to Success® is an IYF learning programme associated with the development of skills that help young people succeed in education, employment, and life.

The Youth Research & Learning Fellow will contribute to the development of a reimagined 12-lesson curriculum package that responds to the changing relationship between technology, education, and employment.

Artificial intelligence is influencing how people access information, complete tasks, learn new skills, and prepare for careers. These changes create opportunities, but they also raise questions about which skills young people need, how educational programmes should respond, and how learners can develop the judgement and adaptability required in changing workplaces.

The fellowship will help IYF investigate these issues and use the findings to inform curriculum revisions.

Why redesign the curriculum for the age of AI?

AI-related changes in education and employment make it important for learning materials to remain relevant to current and emerging needs. Young people may need to understand how to work with new technologies while continuing to develop communication, critical thinking, collaboration, self-awareness, and problem-solving skills.

The redesigned curriculum is intended to respond to these evolving needs by combining social-emotional learning with career readiness and other skills relevant to the future of work.

The fellow will contribute to the research and consultation process that informs the redesign. This includes examining workforce trends, speaking with industry professionals, gathering feedback from young people, and recommending which existing lessons should be revised.

The vacancy does not provide a complete syllabus for all 12 lessons. The selected fellow’s role is to help identify and recommend the lessons and curriculum changes that should be prioritised.

Key Responsibilities of the Youth Research & Learning Fellow

The fellow will participate in research, stakeholder engagement, curriculum review, and the preparation of recommendations. These responsibilities offer practical exposure to the process of designing educational resources informed by research and user feedback.

1. Conduct a landscape analysis of social-emotional learning and AI workforce transformation

The fellow will coordinate with other fellows to examine current trends and gaps in social-emotional learning (SEL) and the transformation of the US workforce in the age of AI.

This research will help identify where existing learning approaches may need to adapt to changes in technology, education, and employment.

The landscape analysis may consider questions such as:

• What skills are young people expected to need as AI changes the workplace?
• How are education and workforce preparation responding to technological developments?
• What gaps exist in current social-emotional learning resources?
• Which capabilities should educational materials emphasise to help young people prepare for changing career pathways?

These questions illustrate the broader purpose of the research. The exact research framework and methodology will be determined through the programme’s work.

2. Conduct interviews with industry professionals

The fellow will carry out industry interviews to help inform lesson selection and curriculum direction.

Industry professionals can offer perspectives on the capabilities employers value, changes affecting their sectors, and the ways technology is influencing workplace expectations.

The fellow will help gather and organise these insights so they can contribute to the curriculum development process.

This responsibility may be particularly relevant to students interested in workforce development, qualitative research, stakeholder engagement, education policy, or human resources.

3. Identify local youth-serving organisations

The fellow will identify and recommend local organisations that serve young people for potential partnerships and research engagement.

These organisations may help IYF connect with young people who can share their experiences of education, employment preparation, and changing career expectations.

The fellow will assist the Program Officer in considering potential organisations for selection. The vacancy describes this as a recommendation and support function rather than giving the fellow sole responsibility for making partnership decisions.

4. Facilitate focus groups with young people

The fellow will facilitate several local focus group discussions involving young people aged 15–29 through selected youth-serving organisations.

Focus groups provide a structured way to gather perspectives from participants about their experiences, expectations, concerns, and ideas. In this role, the discussions will help IYF understand what young people believe they need to succeed in a changing educational and employment environment.

The fellow will capture and share the insights gathered during these sessions so they can inform the curriculum redesign.

This responsibility makes communication, respectful engagement, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to listen carefully particularly important.

5. Review the existing Passport to Success® curriculum

Working with peer fellows, the selected candidate will review the existing Passport to Success curriculum.

The team will recommend 12 lessons for revision as part of the new curriculum package.

This task requires the fellow to consider how existing learning materials relate to current youth needs, social-emotional learning, workforce readiness, and the influence of AI on career pathways.

The goal is to help ensure that the revised package is relevant, practical, and responsive to the realities young people face.

6. Prepare research findings and recommendations

The fellow will summarise findings from the landscape analysis, industry interviews, youth focus groups, and curriculum review.

The final recommendations will help IYF determine how its learning materials can be modified or enhanced.

This work may involve organising research insights, identifying recurring themes, explaining gaps, and connecting findings to proposed curriculum changes. The vacancy does not specify a particular report format, so applicants should refer to instructions from the supervisor for any detailed deliverable requirements.

7. Support other organisational priorities

In addition to the core responsibilities, the fellow may be asked to support new initiatives, collaborate across departments, assist colleagues during periods of increased workload, and contribute to projects beyond the central role.

IYF describes its working environment as collaborative and adaptable. Candidates should therefore be comfortable managing changing priorities and working with colleagues to advance shared objectives.

Eligibility Criteria for the IYF Youth Research & Learning Fellowship

The fellowship has specific requirements relating to university enrolment and geographic location, as well as preferred experience and professional qualities.

1. Current enrolment at a US university or college

Applicants must be actively pursuing a degree at a university or college in the United States.

This requirement is central to eligibility. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their current student status if requested.

The vacancy gives preference to candidates pursuing advanced degrees in teaching and education disciplines. However, it does not state that every applicant must be enrolled in an education-related degree. Candidates from other academic backgrounds should assess their experience against the remaining requirements.

2. Geographic location requirement

Candidates must be located and studying at a university within approximately one hour of one of the following US cities:

• Los Angeles, California
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Houston, Texas
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Detroit, Michigan

Although the position is described as fully remote, applicants must still meet this location requirement.

The role’s remote arrangement should therefore not be interpreted as allowing applications from anywhere in the world. Students attending universities outside the specified geographic areas may not qualify, even if they can work online.

Applicants should confirm that both their university and their location meet the stated requirement before applying.

3. Experience or interest in curriculum design

Experience in curriculum design and development is listed as a required skill area, with particular relevance to workforce readiness, soft skills, and social-emotional learning.

Candidates should consider how their academic projects, employment, volunteering, research, or other relevant activities demonstrate experience in these areas.

The vacancy does not specify a minimum number of years of curriculum development experience. Applicants should focus on accurately presenting their relevant skills and experience rather than assuming a particular duration is required.

4. Interest in AI, education, and workforce trends

Applicants should have an interest in understanding how AI may shape learning, employment, and future career pathways.

The fellow will research emerging trends and contribute to educational resources intended to help young people prepare for a changing world. An interest in the relationship between technology and workforce development is therefore important.

5. Knowledge of local youth-serving organisations

Candidates should have knowledge of, and relationships with, youth-serving organisations and educational institutions in their designated city.

This is relevant because the fellow will help identify organisations for possible research partnerships and assist with focus groups involving young people.

Applicants should be able to explain their familiarity with relevant local institutions and how this knowledge could support the role.

6. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice

IYF seeks candidates who demonstrate support for its values, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, social justice, and racial equity.

The role involves engaging with young people from different backgrounds and experiences. Candidates should be prepared to approach research and stakeholder engagement respectfully and to recognise the importance of including diverse perspectives.

7. Cultural sensitivity and empathy

The vacancy emphasises respect and compassion for different cultural conditions and practices, along with sensitivity to varied personalities.

These qualities are important when facilitating focus groups, working with youth-serving organisations, and collaborating with colleagues from different backgrounds.

8. Strong communication and emotional intelligence

Effective and courteous communication is required. Candidates should be able to listen carefully, interact respectfully, share research findings clearly, and build constructive relationships with peers and stakeholders.

Emotional intelligence is especially relevant when gathering feedback from young people and facilitating discussions about their educational and employment experiences.

Who is this fellowship best suited for?

The opportunity may be particularly suitable for students interested in:

• Education and curriculum development.
• Social-emotional learning and youth development.
• Workforce readiness and career preparation.
• Artificial intelligence and the future of work.
• Education research and qualitative research methods.
• Community engagement and youth-serving organisations.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.

These areas reflect the position’s responsibilities and preferred experience. Applicants must still satisfy the formal enrolment and geographic requirements.

 

The weekly hours and working-week estimates above are taken from the compensation section of the vacancy. The position description also gives a broader project timeline of approximately six months and mentions work periods spanning November to mid-December and January to March. Applicants should confirm the final schedule and expected weekly commitment with IYF.

Understanding the compensation

The pay rate is hourly rather than a fixed annual salary. Actual earnings will depend on the number of hours worked and the final schedule approved for the fellow.

For illustration, using the vacancy’s estimated weekly hours and 18 working weeks:

Student category	Hourly rate	Estimated weekly hours	Illustrative gross earnings over 18 weeks
Undergraduate	$23	12–15	$4,968–$6,210
Graduate student	$28	10–14	$5,040–$7,056

These figures are calculations based on the stated hourly rates and estimated working hours. They are not guaranteed earnings or a confirmed total contract value. Actual compensation may differ depending on approved hours, holidays, and the final work schedule.

The vacancy classifies the position as non-exempt. Applicants should consult IYF for any additional information about payroll arrangements, taxes, benefits, and employment conditions.

Fellowship Duration and Work Arrangement

The position is described as a fully remote fellowship with a project timeline of approximately six months.

The vacancy identifies work periods spanning November to mid-December and January to March, while the compensation section refers to approximately 18 working weeks with allowances for holiday breaks.

Because these descriptions use different measures of the project period, applicants should confirm the exact start date, end date, weekly hours, and expected availability before accepting an offer.

The role is supervised by the Program Officer, US Programs.

Although the work is remote, the fellow must meet the geographic eligibility requirement and support local engagement with youth-serving organisations and young people. Candidates should therefore be prepared to participate in local focus groups or other activities required for the research.

Skills and Professional Qualities IYF Values

Beyond the specific eligibility requirements, IYF describes several qualities it values in team members.

Purpose-driven: Candidates should demonstrate genuine interest in IYF’s mission of expanding opportunities for young people and supporting their development.

Self-accountable: The organisation values people who can manage responsibilities, meet commitments, and complete work with limited supervision.

Growth- and learning-oriented: Fellows should be willing to learn, consider feedback, identify improvements, and contribute ideas that strengthen the organisation’s work.

Empathetic and collaborative: The role requires people who can build relationships, work across cultures, respect different perspectives, and contribute to a positive team environment.

IYF also strongly encourages applications from people with different backgrounds and identities. The organisation describes diversity and inclusion as important to bringing new perspectives into its work and creating a supportive workplace.

How to Apply for the IYF Youth Research & Learning Fellow Position

Interested candidates should apply through the official IYF recruitment portal.

Step 1: Review the official vacancy

Read the complete job description and verify the eligibility criteria, location requirements, pay rate, expected hours, and project timeline.

Step 2: Confirm your eligibility

Before applying, make sure you are actively pursuing a degree at a US university or college and that both your university and location satisfy the requirement relating to the five designated metropolitan areas.

Review the required and preferred skills to determine how your background relates to curriculum development, youth engagement, education, and workforce trends.

Step 3: Prepare your application materials

The supplied vacancy does not provide an exhaustive list of required upload documents. Applicants should follow the instructions in the recruitment portal and prepare any requested résumé, cover letter, academic information, or supporting materials.

Where relevant, highlight experience in research, curriculum design, youth development, workforce readiness, AI-related education, or engagement with community organisations.

Step 4: Demonstrate your suitability

Your application should clearly explain how your experience and interests relate to the role’s responsibilities.

Consider providing concrete examples of research you have conducted, educational materials you have developed, youth programmes you have supported, or projects in which you gathered feedback and turned it into recommendations.

Be accurate about your experience and avoid claiming expertise you do not possess.

Step 5: Submit through the official portal

Complete the application according to the recruitment system’s instructions. Review all information before submitting and retain any confirmation you receive.

Applicants should direct questions about the hiring process, application status, or the expected project schedule to IYF through its official recruitment channels.

Important Dates and Application Deadline

The vacancy describes a project timeline spanning approximately six months, with work periods from November to mid-December and January to March. The compensation section estimates approximately 18 working weeks, allowing for holiday breaks.

However, the vacancy description does not state a specific application closing date. Candidates should check the official recruitment portal for the latest availability and any deadline announced by the employer.

Applicants should also confirm the expected start date and schedule directly with IYF, as the project timeline and final working arrangements may depend on the organisation’s recruitment and planning process.

Takeaway

The International Youth Foundation Youth Research & Learning Fellow 2026 is a paid remote fellowship for eligible US university students interested in youth development, education research, curriculum design, and the future of work. Fellows will contribute to the redesign of IYF’s Passport to Success® curriculum by analysing workforce trends, interviewing industry professionals, engaging young people, and recommending improvements to learning materials for the age of AI.

Undergraduate students are offered $23 per hour, while graduate students are offered $28 per hour. Applicants must be enrolled at a US university or college and meet the geographic requirement connected to Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, or Detroit.

Students with relevant research interests, communication skills, knowledge of local youth-serving organisations, and a commitment to inclusion may find this fellowship a valuable opportunity to contribute to educational innovation and workforce readiness.

Official Application Portal

Find more information here

Apply for the International Youth Foundation Youth Research & Learning Fellow position through the official recruitment link

Discover more global opportunities at Opportunities for Youth