Born This Way Foundation is excited to announce our search for the next cohort of our international Youth Advisory Board, and we’re honored to invite YOU to apply. Keep reading to learn more and apply.

We are searching for young people ages 15-24 who are passionate about mental health. Whether you are a leader already making an impact in your community or a young person passionate about mental health seeking an opportunity to get involved, we want to learn more about you! Young people have been at the forefront of major movements for positive social change, and this rings especially true for our work in building a kinder and braver world. As Born This Way Foundation approaches our 15th anniversary, we are excited to continue our practice of centering young people’s insights and leadership throughout our work. While we welcome applicants from around the globe, we will also be specifically looking for applicants from the following countries: Brazil, Canada, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Our team of Youth Advisory Board members will play a pivotal role in the planning and execution of research, programs, and campaigns core to our mission. These Youth Advisors will have the opportunity to be a part of Born This Way Foundation’s legacy and be ambassadors of our work in their communities and beyond.

Our work at Born This Way Foundation most frequently prioritizes issues young people face between the ages of 15 and 24. This age range reflects some of the most pivotal moments in a young person’s life, and research shows this time period is typically when mental health challenges arise. That’s why our Youth Advisory Board focuses on this age range to help build and guide our current and upcoming work.

We are seeking a representative, inclusive group of young people from around the world who:

• Demonstrate commitment and/or show deep interest in building a kinder, braver world.
• Seek to highlight and share mental health resources and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health.
• Are excited to help create and share innovative ideas for building community, online and offline.

If you believe you or someone you know is the right fit for this opportunity, we invite you to apply by filling out this Google Form application by the deadline of 11:59 PM ET on September 30, 2026. While the deadline to submit your application is 9/30/26, we accept applications on a rolling basis, as we hope to schedule interviews sooner rather than later.

Info Sessions

We will be holding two informational sessions where interested applicants can learn more about the program and directly ask questions of our current Youth Advisory Board.

• Session 1: August 25, 2026, 11 AM – 12 PM ET (RSVP for Session 1 here!)
• Session 2: September 15, 2026, 7 – 8 PM ET (RSVP for Session 2 here!)
  *Session two will also be recorded and available for you to watch post-session for those who cannot attend either session.

Please RSVP ahead of joining your chosen session. If you have questions about the program, or you want to ask a current advisor about their experience, you’ll be able to submit those questions when you register.

Application Timeline

• August 4, 2026: The application window opens
• August 25, 2026 – 11 AM ET: Info Session 1
• September 15, 2026 – 7 PM ET: Info Session 2
• September 30, 2026 – 11:59 PM ET: The application window closes
• Early October: Our team will reach out to finalist applicants who have been selected to move forward to the second round of the review process, which will include virtual interviews. Born This Way Foundation staff, along with a current Youth Advisory Board member, will meet individually with final applicants virtually over Zoom so they have the opportunity to tell us more about themselves, understand the requirements, and ask questions about the program. The meeting will be 15-20 minutes.
• Mid December 2026: Applicants will be notified if they are selected for the 2027-28 Youth Advisory Board cohort
• January 2027: Official start of term for cohort
• December 2028: Official end of term for cohort (final December date TBD)

Main Requirements

Monthly Time commitment is approximately 4 hours

• Program Participation:
  
  • Complete the Be There Certificate in year 1
  • Sign up for the #BeKind365 pledge in year 1
  • Complete two Channel Kindness Stories each year (Four total for the term)
  • Kindness in Community Fund Scoring: Participate in scoring applicants
    
    
• Program Advisement: Throughout the two years, give feedback on each program during quarterly meetings and possible workshops
  
  
• Kindness in Community Fund Scoring: Participate in scoring applicants and grant recipients
  
  
• Social Media Storytelling: Film and create a minimum of four social media videos each year (at least 8 for the two-year term)
  
  
• Join a Committee each year: Youth Advisory Board finalists will be asked to rank their top choices (1-4), with 1 being their top choice of committee. Options for committees may include: Communications, Programs, Research, and Social Media
  

Share Your Ideas with our Team: Sharing your experience as a young person in today’s world is critical to improving and building the future of the work of Born This Way Foundation. After experiencing our programs:

• You’ll participate in quarterly meetings with fellow Youth Advisors and members of our team (eight total for the term). During these sessions, you’ll be able to:
  • Learn about new initiatives and thoughtfully advise Born This Way Foundation on ways to improve the current programming and ensure it meets the diverse and evolving needs of young people.
  • Have opportunities to work directly with Born This Way Foundation staff to review new initiatives and offer ideas, suggestions, and questions to help shape projects before launch.

Engage With Your Community:

• You’ll receive opportunities to participate in occasional Born This Way Foundation-related virtual and/or in-person events or media opportunities as they arise.
• You’ll receive opportunities to share about the mission and programs of Born This Way Foundation via social media.
• Serve as an ambassador for our work and programs at Born This Way Foundation. 
• As you become ambassadors for Born This Way Foundation, you can learn how to implement and amplify our programs and mental health resources in your community and beyond.

Application Requirements:

• While we welcome global applications, we will also be looking to prioritize applicants who live and reside in one of the following countries: Brazil, Canada, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom, United States.
• Be 15 – 24 years old (If under the age of 18, you must have parental/guardian consent to participate). Applicants must be 15 years old by August 1, 2026, and no older than 24 by January 1, 2027. Due to the volume of applications, there can be no exceptions.
• Uphold Born This Way Foundation’s principles and demonstrate a commitment to promoting kindness, bravery, and mental wellbeing.
• Technology: Have access to a stable internet connection and be comfortable using Zoom for virtual meetings. 
• Language: Fluency in the English language, as our communications are entirely in English.
• Agree to a twenty-four-month (2-year) term of service from the date of appointment.
• Be an avid communicator who can stay on top of deadlines and respond to emails promptly.

Compensation and Taxes

Advisory Board members are compensated $2,500 USD each year for their two-year term in recognition of their time and work with us ($5,000 USD for the entire term).

Due to our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, our organization is unable to offer personal tax advice or guidance on stipends. We recommend that you talk with a tax professional to discuss your individual situation.

For individuals planning to possibly study or work in the United States over the next two years, please be aware that being offered or receiving a stipend could impact your visa status. To ensure full compliance with current U.S. regulations, we highly recommend consulting a qualified tax professional or your host institution’s international student office before applying to be an advisor. To best compensate young people for their time, we will prioritize international applicants who plan to remain in their country throughout the term.

Recognition

• Depending on region-specific media options and the time of year, you’ll have the opportunity to potentially discuss mental health and the work that Born This Way Foundation does through external opportunities, including interviews, virtual or in-person panels, and more. 
• Born This Way Foundation will recognize each Youth Advisory Board member with additional perks as opportunities arise throughout the 2-year term.

If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact Mariah (she/her) at [email protected]. We look forward to reading your application!

Click here to apply now or visit: https://forms.gle/zQXAsg9t3sUq1E6j6