2026
Civic Engagement Fellowship
The Fellowship
Our Civic Engagement Fellowship (CEF) is our flagship youth leadership program that equips the next generation of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) leaders to transform their advocacy into action by equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to champion their communities through civic engagement and public service.
The Institute
During the fellowship, Asian Texans for Justice hosts the Civic Engagement Fellowship Institute — an in-person, all-expenses-paid workshop. Every year, the location of our institute rotates amongst the major metroplexes to provide insight into how community organizing changes based on location. During the institute, fellows will develop their skills as organizers, learn the unique challenges of organizing within the AAPI community, and have access to a network of AAPI leaders, organizations, and resources. The institute is supplemented with continued virtual sessions throughout the fellowship period.
Capstone Projects
After the Institute, fellows will work with their peers to execute a capstone project that aligns with ATJ’s legislative priorities. Fellows will have access to guided mentorship and capstone funding to execute capstone projects that educate, inspire, and mobilize the AAPI community.
View examples of past cohorts’ capstone projects [here].
Fellows will:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Must be between the ages of 18 and 25,
Must reside in Texas for the duration of the fellowship;
Must be able to work remotely and have access to a device;
Organizing or advocacy experience is not necessary.
You do not need to be enrolled in an educational institution (i.e. community college, university, trade school, etc) to apply.
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This fellowship is hybrid, with the Civic Engagement Fellowship Institute offering an all-expense-paid, 2.5-day workshop where fellows will develop their skills as organizers and become better leaders for their communities, supplemented by virtual sessions throughout the fellowship period.
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Fellows will work in groups of 2-4 to apply their organizing skills to the community capstone project that aligns with ATJ’s policy priorities.
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Through practicum-based learning, fellows will learn about the grant writing process and apply for grant funding for their projects from ATJ.
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Fellowship Period: June 1 - August 28
Virtual Session 1: Tuesday, June 2, 6:00 to 7:30 PM
Institute: June 10 - 12 in DFW
Virtual Session 2: Tuesday, June 23, 6:00 to 7:30 PM
Virtual Session 3: Tuesday, July 21, 6:00 to 7:30 PM
Fellowbration: Tuesday, August 4, 6:00 to 7:30 PM
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Attendance is mandatory to all sessions.
What our fellows are saying
2026 Cohort