Designing Our Shared Future: The 2026 Civic Season Design Fellowship

​The 2026 Civic Season Design Fellowship, a program of Made By Us, invites young leaders ages 18–30 to help shape the nation’s 250th anniversary through creativity, collaboration, and community engagement. Fellows will co-design events and digital content that bring Civic Season—held between Juneteenth and July 4th—to life, connecting people with history and inspiring action. With opportunities to develop hands-on experience, build networks, and contribute to a national dialogue about who we are and where we’re going, this fellowship embodies the spirit of civic participation and shared storytelling that NCDD champions.

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​As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, a new generation of changemakers is being invited to reimagine what civic engagement can look like. The 2026 Civic Season Design Fellowship, a flagship program of Made By Us, offers young people a hands-on opportunity to shape the national conversation around history, identity, and participation—values that resonate deeply with NCDD’s mission to strengthen democracy through dialogue and deliberation.

A Fellowship Rooted in Collaboration and Community

Civic Season, held annually between Juneteenth and July 4th, bridges the stories of our nation’s past with the possibilities of our collective future. Fellows selected for the 2026 cohort will play a central role in co-designing this milestone year’s events, working side by side with peers and cultural institutions to craft experiences that invite reflection, connection, and action.

From January to July 2026, fellows will dedicate a few hours each week to bringing the season to life—helping design programs, consulting with museums, and serving as ambassadors for civic participation. Whether they are curating digital storytelling for social media or shaping interactive experiences in local cultural spaces, fellows will help communities engage with questions that matter: Who are we, how did we get here, and where are we going together?
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This spirit of collaborative inquiry echoes NCDD’s long-standing commitment to inclusive, community-centered engagement. The fellowship creates space for dialogue across generations and backgrounds—fostering the curiosity, empathy, and shared learning that build stronger civic cultures.

Empowering the Next Generation of Civic Leaders

In addition to a $1,700 stipend, fellows gain invaluable experience working with institutions nationwide and connecting with peers who are equally passionate about history, storytelling, and community impact. The program welcomes applicants ages 18–30 from across the U.S., emphasizing that no prior experience is required—just openness, creativity, and a desire to make a difference.
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Two fellowship tracks allow participants to tailor their contributions:

• Content Track: Crafting engaging digital stories that inspire curiosity and participation.
• Program Track: Designing in-person experiences that bring history and civic action to life.
  
  

Both paths empower young people to translate reflection into engagement and dialogue into collective progress—principles that align closely with NCDD’s vision for a more connected, equitable, and participatory democracy.

Building a Tradition of Shared Belonging

​The 2026 Civic Season marks not only a commemoration of America’s founding but also a reimagining of what civic life can mean in our time. By inviting young leaders to help design this national observance, Made By Us is nurturing a new civic tradition—one rooted in inclusion, creativity, and the power of community conversation.

NCDD celebrates and uplifts opportunities like this fellowship that invite people to co-create spaces for understanding and collective action. Together, programs like Civic Season remind us that democracy is not a spectator activity—it is a shared, ongoing dialogue.

To learn more or apply for the 2026 Civic Season Design Fellowship, visit https://tinyurl.com/44vk7m27