Focus Areas

18-24-Year-Olds

Citizens & Scholars is cultivating a majority of young people to be civically well-informed, productively engaged, and committed to democracy.

Citizens & Scholars enables 18-24-year-olds through fellowships and partnerships with employers, policymakers, and college presidents.

Fellowships

Our renowned fellowships support scholars, journalists, and education and policy leaders working to ensure all people and perspectives are included in the future of our democracy.
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College Presidents for Civic Preparedness

We have convened an ideologically diverse group of college presidents from a broad array of institutions. Together they are building a shared vision for freedom of expression and inquiry on campuses and the tools needed to equip young people to be engaged citizens.
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Business & Workforce Partnerships

Beyond college campuses, we are developing partnerships with employers to offer training and/or civic engagement benefits to encourage young adults to be thoughtful, effective citizens.

The Challenge

46%

46% of college sophomores wouldn’t share a dorm room with someone from the opposing political party.

1/5

Only half of college students feel comfortable disagreeing with instructors or fellow students.

The Solution

Empowered Citizens, Effective Democracy

This is an urgent time for the nation and for democracy. We see a way forward in today’s young people, and we recognize that they are particularly poised to strengthen democracy now and for the long haul.

Today’s 42 million 14–24-year-olds are entering the public square. They need support and partnership from older generations and institutions like Citizens & Scholars to achieve their ambitions.

Investing in youth breaks the barriers of left versus right by focusing on values that unite us all, such as freedom of expression and a commitment to liberty and democracy. This approach opens new possibilities and can generate outsized returns for democracy.