YLabs Youth Leadership Fellow 2026: A Deep Dive into the Opportunity
YLabs is offering a unique remote fellowship for young changemakers interested in digital health and youth advocacy. This program, focused on the AskingforaFriend.org (AFAF) initiative, provides a chance for passionate individuals to contribute to a national platform supporting adolescent well-being. The fellowship is designed for those committed to empowering young people, improving mental wellness, and ensuring access to inclusive digital resources, especially for marginalized communities. This article explores the details of the YLabs Youth Leadership Fellow position, outlining responsibilities, qualifications, and the application process.
About YLabs and AskingforaFriend.org
YLabs is an international organization established in 2014 at the Harvard Innovation Lab. It focuses on creating technologies and solutions that empower youth, enhance their opportunities, and improve their overall well-being. The organization brings together expertise in youth-centered design, adolescent health, behavioral science, and digital product development. They have worked in 18 countries, with current operations in Rwanda and the United States.
The AskingforaFriend.org (AFAF) platform is a key initiative by YLabs. It was co-designed with over 300 young people in California to provide accessible wellness resources for adolescents aged 12-19. AFAF addresses critical issues such as mental health, sexual health, gender-based violence support, identity affirmation, and emotional well-being. The platform is currently expanding nationally across the United States to reach a wider audience.
Fellowship Overview and Responsibilities
The YLabs Youth Leadership Fellow will play a significant role in the national expansion of AskingforaFriend.org. This remote fellowship, running from June to October 2026, offers a time commitment of 50% to 100% and provides compensation of up to USD 5,000 per month. The fellow will collaborate with YLabs experts, youth leaders, and public health professionals.
Key responsibilities include:
Developing Youth Wellness Content
The fellow will help create various content types for the platform. This includes decision support tools, health quizzes, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and informational wellness content. This content will directly address concerns submitted by young people on topics like mental health, sexual wellness, healthy relationships, identity support, and emotional well-being.
Supporting Partnership Development
Identifying and engaging with organizations and individuals who align with the AFAF mission is a core duty. This involves building strategic relationships, expanding outreach efforts, strengthening youth support networks, and supporting collaborative initiatives to broaden the platform’s reach and impact.
Contributing to National Marketing Campaigns
The fellow will assist in developing a national awareness campaign as AFAF expands. This includes creating social media content, developing youth-centered storytelling, refining campaign messaging, and executing digital engagement and marketing outreach strategies to promote the platform.
Advocacy and Public Engagement
Opportunities exist to support webinars, conference presentations, youth advocacy initiatives, and public awareness activities. This aspect of the role offers significant chances for leadership development and gaining public speaking experience.
Who Should Apply?
YLabs encourages applications from young individuals passionate about youth well-being and social impact. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a strong desire to help young people access support and information. Experience in youth advocacy, studies in health or public health, and volunteer work in youth-centered initiatives are beneficial. Strong communication skills and an understanding of the needs of marginalized youth communities are also highly valued. YLabs emphasizes that traditional credentials are not as important as lived experience, authenticity, passion, creativity, community connection, and leadership potential.
Desired Qualifications
While formal qualifications are not strictly required, certain skills and attributes are sought after:
Strong Communication Skills
Excellent writing abilities are essential for content creation and campaign messaging. The capacity to communicate effectively with adolescents, tell compelling stories, and engage with the public is also important.
Passion for Youth and Digital Health
A genuine interest in youth advocacy, digital health, public health education, social impact, wellness innovation, and community support is key. Candidates should be eager to contribute to the advancement of these fields.
Personal Connection to the Mission
YLabs particularly values applicants whose personal experiences align with the communities served by AskingforaFriend.org. Applicants are encouraged to reflect on how the platform addresses needs they or their communities have faced and why this work is personally meaningful.
Compensation and Benefits
The fellowship offers a competitive monthly compensation of up to USD 5,000 for a full-time equivalent role, commensurate with experience. Beyond financial compensation, participants will gain invaluable experience in leadership, national advocacy, public health communication, and digital campaigns. They will also have opportunities for professional networking and collaboration with international experts. This fellowship can significantly boost future careers in public health, youth development, advocacy, communications, nonprofit leadership, behavioral science, social innovation, and community engagement.
Application Process
To apply for the YLabs Youth Leadership Fellow position, candidates must submit a current resume detailing their education, experience, and relevant involvement. Additionally, applicants are required to provide a short video submission, between 2 and 5 minutes long. This video should introduce the applicant, explain their passion for Asking for a Friend, their motivation for seeking the fellowship, why they are the best fit for the role, and include ideas for new platform features like quizzes or support tools.
The video should be uploaded to a platform like Google Drive or YouTube, with accessibility settings ensuring it can be viewed. The accessible link should then be pasted into the application form. YLabs stresses that professional editing is not necessary; authenticity and clarity are prioritized.
An online information session is scheduled for May 29, 2026, at 11:00 AM PST, offering interested applicants a chance to learn more about the role. The application deadline is June 5, 2026, and early applications are encouraged. YLabs is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, welcoming applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the YLabs Youth Leadership Fellow position?
It’s a remote fellowship from June to October 2026 focused on expanding the AskingforaFriend.org platform, which provides digital wellness resources for adolescents.
What are the main responsibilities of the fellow?
Key duties include creating wellness content, helping build partnerships, assisting with marketing campaigns, and supporting advocacy efforts.
What qualifications are most important for applicants?
YLabs values passion for youth well-being, strong communication skills, and personal connection to the mission over formal credentials. Lived experience and leadership potential are highly regarded.
How do I apply for the fellowship?
You need to submit a resume and a short video (2-5 minutes) explaining your passion, motivation, and ideas for the platform. The application deadline is June 5, 2026.
