2026

Civic Engagement Fellowship

The 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. 

2025 Capstone Projects
Group Photo w_ Banner.JPG
Sri & Ray.JPG
Sam.JPG
Taanya.JPG
Catherine & June.JPG
Amani.JPG

General Information

  • During the fellowship, Asian Texans for Justice hosts the Civic Engagement 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.

  • The capstone project empowers fellows to apply the knowledge and skills developed throughout the fellowship by designing and executing a meaningful project that educates, inspires, and mobilizes their community. In collaboration with their peers, fellows transform ideas into actionable project plans and bring them to fruition. During the training sessions, fellows will learn the fundamentals of the grant writing process and strengthen their skills by applying for a grant from ATJ to support their capstone projects.

    View samples of capstone projects here.

    • 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.

  • This is a hybrid fellowship with mandatory attendance to all the sessions below. 

    • 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

Screenshot 2025-12-15 at 10.17.26 PM.png
Asha's Mysterious Tummy Ache_Page_28.png
IMG_3151.jpg
IMG_3168.JPG
The Healing Cup_ A Youth Perspective on AAPI Mental Health_Page_07.png
Project Visa PDF_Page_2.png
IMG_8768.JPG
AAPI Stories Without Borders_Page_3.png

Fellows will:

  • Build Confidence in Civic Action

    Strengthen fellows’ confidence in navigating and engaging with the political process, fostering sustained participation in civic life and public service.

  • Develop Organizing and Leadership Skills

    Cultivate essential organizing, communication, and leadership competencies that empower fellows to mobilize their communities and drive meaningful, collective action.

  • Deepen Policy Knowledge

    Equip fellows with a comprehensive understanding of how public policy impacts AAPI communities, enabling them to analyze legislation critically and advocate effectively for equitable outcomes.

What our fellows are saying

  • Now that I’ve graduated from CEF, I feel like taking action and becoming more involved in my community is something that I am both passionate about, and able to do instead of passively observing.

    Cynthia, 2024 Alumni

  • ATJ invested in my skills and talents every step of the way and offered neverending support to remind you: that you are not alone in the fight for justice.

    Isabella, 2022 Alumni

  • After ATJ, I have reassessed my career paths and am thinking about working in AAPI nonprofits in the future. I’ve also joined more advocacy orgs on campus and been more in touch with my school’s Center for Asian American Studies.

    Alishba, 2022 Alumni

  • This experience shifted my perspective; I now see civic engagement as something that doesn't require big platforms but can happen in smaller, community-centered, and creative spaces. Advocacy can also be about sparking those first conversations and making others feel seen; it's about community building.

    Sia, 2023 Alumni

Frequently Asked Questions

    • Civic engagement refers to active participation in community and societal issues, including voting, volunteering, advocacy, and other activities aimed at contributing to improving society and promoting the common good.

    • Community organizing focuses on building relationships and collective power to address issues affecting your community. Community organizing looks to those closest to the problem to make decisions to improve their communities.

  • There is no cookie-cutter candidate for this program. Our past cohorts have had fellows with ranging personalities, perspectives, and backgrounds! We embrace diversity and authenticity in our fellows. We look for folks who have the following characteristics: 

    • Sense of curiosity and willingness to learn

    • Critical and innovative thinking skills

    • An organizing spirit and a commitment to community impact

    • A deep passion for equity and social justice, particularly for AAPIs and other marginalized groups.

    • Sense of curiosity and willingness to learn

    • Critical and innovative thinking

    • Passion and commitment to serving the AAPI community

  • This fellowship is specifically designed to give you the tools and training necessary to serve the AAPI Texan community in a bigger capacity than you ever thought possible. Some benefits of our fellowship: 

    • Professional development: Enhance key skills such as public speaking, project management, grant writing, and more through the Civic Engagement Fellowship Institute.

    • Practical experience in advocacy/organizing: Apply your knowledge by collaborating with peers to design and implement a community capstone project, putting your skills into action.

    • Personal confidence: Winning a fellowship like ATJ’s, will ultimately boost your confidence, and motivate you to take up leadership positions.

    • Expanding your networks: Gain access to ATJ’s extensive network of community organizations and leaders, opening doors to future opportunities.

    Alumni program: Upon completing the program, join the ATJ Advocates network—our youth alumni program—connecting you to continued professional development and leadership opportunities.

  • Yes, we highly recommend past applicants to reapply to the program!