Youth Civic Engagement

The RU Ready program in partnership with the Rutgers Democracy Lab was created in 2006 with a goal of fostering democratic engagement in area high school students. Over the past twenty years, the program has expanded to provide free RU Ready Civics Fairs and Young Leaders Conferences for area high school and middle school students. Developed and facilitated by a team of trained staff members and Rutgers University–New Brunswick undergraduate students, all programs satisfy New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Social Studies. The program is currently administered in area middle school and high schools throughout the state of New Jersey, with particular emphasis on serving underrepresented students.

For nearly 20 years, RU Voting in partnership with the Rutgers Democracy Lab has served as the resource Rutgers University students, administrators, and faculty rely upon for nonpartisan and accurate registration and Election Day information.  The project is dedicated to registering, educating, and mobilizing students to participate in the political process.

An award program providing up to $6,000.00 awards to outstanding Rutgers undergraduate students for in-person summer internships in government, nonprofit, or advocacy organizations in Washington, D.C. The monetary award is meant to ease the financial burden of interning in D.C. and is intended to offset living expenses. Rutgers undergraduate students from all three campus locations are eligible to apply. Learn about the impact the program has on students’ education and professional development by meeting the 2024 award recipients.

Launched in 2002 with funding from the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Young Elected Leaders Project (YELP) studies and works with young people who run for or hold public office. We provide unique insight into youth representation in U.S. political institutions and study young leaders’ experiences in public office.