On-Campus and Virtual Opportunities
The RDL Democracy in Action Fund supports innovative, interactive civic opportunities that engage participants in practicing democracy on campus or in the community. Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 Academic Year and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until available funding is exhausted.
The RDL Faculty and Staff Democracy Fellowship supports Rutgers faculty and staff who wish to develop, pilot, or scale innovative projects that strengthen democratic culture, practice, and knowledge. We are currently searching for our cohort of 2026-2027 Democracy Fellows - apply today!
The Rutgers Democracy Lab is recruiting a team of paid student leaders to support the Talking Across Difference initiative’s in-person and virtual programming across Rutgers University. Talking Across Difference is a university-wide initiative meant to equip educators, staff, and students to have productive conversations about difficult and sometimes divisive issues.
The Think and Do Tank offers a highly immersive civic learning experience that builds students' capacity for democratic citizenship and problem-solving. Students from across the university and across disciplines come together to work collaboratively to address democratic issues, and they do this important work in partnership with faculty and expert practitioners.
The Center for Youth Political Participation is recruiting a team of paid interns to support the creation of digital content for the newly established Rutgers Democracy Lab. Applications are now open and close April 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
The Rutgers Democracy Lab (RDL) Democracy Summer Research Fellowships support multi-disciplinary research from Rutgers PhD students that advances our understanding of American democracy. Applications are now open and close May 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM!
(Applications for Spring 2026 are now closed.) Interns will dive into big questions about how platforms shape what we see and believe online — exploring topics like echo chambers, misinformation, and polarization.
Do you have an innovative idea that will help solve a democratic problem? Submit your proposal here and if accepted, the RDL will fund your concept! Opportunities are available for students of all disciplines working on their own or with others. Project formats and work products can take many forms, including but not limited to:
Each year, the Office of Federal Relations brings the Rutgers Advocacy Corps down to Washington, DC to meet with federal policymakers to advocate for increased investments in federal financial aid. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage with Rutgers alumni working in the nation’s capital.
We want to hear your thoughts about democracy! The Rutgers Democracy Lab is seeking students to submit their videos exploring the topic of American democracy and civic engagement in the digital age.
The Rutgers Democracy Lab (RDL), in partnership with the Office of Undergraduate Education, invites faculty to submit proposals for Byrne Seminars to be offered during the Fall 2026 semester in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.