Lead the way for the next class of Champions.
As a STEM Festival Fellow, you help shape and support the National STEM Festival — working side by side with Festival leadership, leading a small group of National STEM Champions, and making sure young people's voices are heard throughout the program. You already know what this experience can mean. This is your chance to lead it.
Choose your Festival.
Fellows may apply for one or both Festivals. All applicants must have taken part in a National STEM Festival — the Fellowship is open to Festival alumni and Champions, student volunteers, Chief Science Officers (CSOs) and Flight Crew who have attended. We review applications on a rolling basis and may select Fellows as strong applications arrive, so apply early.
UK National STEM Festival
Rolling review · closes Aug. 30, 2026Host CityLondon
Festival DatesMay 5–10, 2027
Fellow Spots5 · highly selective
Official Kick-offSeptember 2026
US National STEM Festival
Rolling review · closes Nov. 30, 2026Host CityWashington, D.C.
Festival DatesOctober 19–24, 2027
Fellow Spots8 · highly selective
Official Kick-offJanuary 2027
Fellows are selected on a rolling basis, so early applications have the best shot. The cohort officially kicks off in September 2026 (London) and January 2027 (US) — with Fellow events and opportunities before then.
Young leaders at the heart of the Festival.
You'll work directly with Festival leadership before and during the Festival, lead a small group of National STEM Champions, help bring more students into the Festival, and carry the voice and experience of young people into every part of the program. You've been through it — now you help make it unforgettable for the next class.
A national platform to be seen and heard.
This is the heart of the Fellowship. You won't just support the Festival — you'll step forward as one of the faces and voices of a global movement, with real chances to build your own profile on and off the stage.
Media & press
Podcasts, on-camera and written interviews, press features and social spotlights that reach national and industry audiences.
Spokesperson & stage
Represent the Festival as an official young spokesperson — with remarks, panels, introductions and hosting moments on the main stage.
Industry & VIP access
A seat at industry gatherings, conferences and VIP events, alongside the leaders and partners shaping the future.
And your voice carries beyond the weekend. Every Fellow takes part in a Festival debrief with the Festival Co-Founder(s) — so what you and your Champions lived helps shape future Festivals. When you speak, the Festival listens.
Part of the team, from day one.
You become part of the Festival team well before you arrive on site. Expect to spend about one to two hours a month — mostly on your own schedule, apart from a few live meetings — on things like:
- Joining virtual Fellow meetings and Festival briefings.
- Encouraging students in your school, community and networks to apply to the National STEM Festival.
- Sharing Festival application opportunities through appropriate personal, school or community networks.
- Helping Festival leadership understand what prospective and selected Champions want from the experience.
- Learning about the selected Champions and their projects.
- Co-leading a virtual Know Before You Go orientation with Festival leadership for your group.
- Preparing for potential speaking, hosting or media opportunities.
You may also be invited to take part in media interviews, social content, panels, Festival announcements and other opportunities representing the National STEM Festival.
Peer leader and connector.
At the Festival, you're matched with a small group of National STEM Champions and become their peer leader and connector — the person who helps them feel at home. You'll help:
- Welcome Champions and create connections within the group.
- Share your own perspective on why the Festival matters.
- Encourage every Champion to participate and contribute.
- Look out for students who may be quieter or less connected and help bring them into the conversation.
- Support engagement during masterclasses and other small-group programming.
- Help Champions navigate the Festival experience.
- Share your observations and feedback with Festival leadership — including the post-Festival debrief that shapes what comes next.
- Participate in selected remarks, panels, introductions, media interviews or other Festival programming.
One Fellow will lead the cohort.
One Fellow will be chosen as the Lead STEM Festival Fellow. You'd take part as a Fellow while working even more closely with Festival leadership to help coordinate the whole Fellow cohort. As Lead Fellow, you'll:
- Help lead Fellow meetings and preparation.
- Maintain regular communication with the Fellow cohort.
- Help track Champion engagement, interests and project activity.
- Help prepare Fellows for their group orientations and Festival responsibilities.
- Identify questions, concerns or opportunities that should be elevated to Festival leadership.
- Gather feedback and observations from Fellows.
- Work directly with Festival leadership on selected projects and initiatives.
- Support speaking, hosting and media opportunities as appropriate.
We cover the cost of showing up.
If you're selected to take part in person, the National STEM Festival covers your approved:
Complete the program and you'll receive a stipend:
You'll also receive formal recognition of your appointment and successful completion of the Fellowship.
The kind of Fellow we're looking for.
The Fellowship is designed primarily for National STEM Festival alumni who want to take on a meaningful peer leadership role within the Festival community. We're looking for people who are dependable, welcoming, comfortable working with students from different backgrounds and interests, and genuinely interested in helping others get as much from the Festival as they did.
You don't need to be the loudest or most polished speaker. We're particularly interested in people who notice who's being left out — not just the ones who love a microphone — who listen, bring others into conversations, and follow through on their commitments.
All Fellows must have taken part in a National STEM Festival — as a Champion, alum, student volunteer, Chief Science Officer (CSO) or Flight Crew member. Festival alumni and Champions are especially encouraged to apply.
Ready to apply?
The application is short — about 10 minutes. Tell us why you want to return and how you'd help a Champion find their place at the Festival.