FAQ

A: Civic learning is the system by which we develop as citizens, most especially our young people, to be well-informed, productively engaged, and hopeful about democracy. Civic learning goes far beyond the classroom; it takes place after school, on the sports field, at summer camp, online, at work, between peers, and at home. To learn more, check out our paper, From Civic Education to a Civic Learning Ecosystem.

A: The concept of the Civic Spring Fellowship was developed in Spring 2020 when the team at Citizens & Scholars recognized a unique opportunity to leverage the “out-of-school space” to help young people grow their civic skills and interact with people from diverse backgrounds and beliefs in the era of a historic pandemic. C&S (Citizens & Scholars) brought together a skilled and diverse task force to set the groundwork for the first Civic Spring Project. The project was named Civic Spring to represent the opportunity to connect communities in need of creative solutions to urgent problems with young people seeking to make a difference.

A: To support young people in addressing an urgent need by combining the development of civic knowledge, -skills, and dispositions, while engaging in a community-based project.

A: Civic Spring Coaches are young people and adults who will use their personal and professional expertise to meet weekly with Civic Spring Fellows. Coaches have a commitment to youth engagement and leadership, an interest in intergenerational work, and an openness to working across ideological divides. Coaches dedicate approximately 5 hours per week to working with Fellows.

A: Civic Spring will include opportunities to engage in weekly Communities of Practice; a larger meeting series meant for Fellows, coaches, and others engaged in this work. These will be chances to dive into constructive conversations across ideological differences; discuss project implementation issues; and network with peers while strengthening your ability to apply the civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions developed during Civic Spring.

A: Yes.

A: Yes.

Click here to find the full eligibility requirements.

A: No. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements to be considered for the grant. Click here for the eligibility requirements.

A: Please review the eligibility requirements and send specific questions to civiceducation@citizensandscholars.org. We will do our best to respond within 2 business days.

A: We will consider applications from Fellows who successfully completed an earlier program. Project proposals must either build upon an earlier Civic Spring project with new milestones, or pursue a different community need. Team leads can be Fellows/adult partners from 2020, 2022 or winter 2023, but all Fellow applicants must be new to Civic Spring.

A: Yes; Fellows will be provided a stipend of $1,800.

A: Please send your questions via email to civiceducation@citizensandscholars.org first. We will have opportunities to speak with our program staff during March and April.