The Texas Scholars Program
A semester-long fellowship for high school juniors and seniors who want to think critically about policy, work alongside leading experts, and develop the skills to drive real change.
★★★
Join the Next Generation of Thought Leaders. Defend Liberty.
The Texas Scholars Program (formerly the Richardson Youth Liberty Fellowship) is an initiative of the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), a public policy think tank driving conservative policy solutions in Texas and the nation.
With the future in mind, the Texas Scholars Program seeks to bring the immense knowledge and resources of TPPF to the next generation of the conservative movement.
Accepted Fellows are placed on teams, assigned real roles, and challenged to simulate a working think tank environment. Through weekly seminars, expert mentorship, and a capstone project, you’ll do more than learn about policy — you’ll practice shaping it.
Weekly sessions with leading Texas experts on the issues that matter most.
Collaborate on a real policy project presented at the closing summit in Austin.
Develop the communication, research, and leadership skills that set you apart.
How It Works
A structured semester that balances rigorous learning with real-world application. Two in-person summits bookend eleven weeks of virtual collaboration.
Full day in person at TPPF headquarters in Austin. Meet your cohort, receive your team assignments, and kick off the semester.
Eleven Wednesday evenings (7:00–8:30 PM CST) of policy seminars, professional development, and team collaboration.
Work alongside your teammates to research, develop, and refine a policy capstone — applying everything you’ve learned in real time.
Present your work, receive your certificate, and celebrate with fellow scholars, experts, and family at TPPF’s Austin headquarters.
What You’ll Gain
Engage with the real issues shaping Texas — from energy and education to criminal justice and fiscal policy.
Build the skills that distinguish future leaders: persuasive writing, public speaking, and critical analysis.
Join ambitious, like-minded students from across Texas. Build relationships with peers and mentors.
“The Texas Scholars Program seeks to bring the immense knowledge and resources of TPPF to the next generation of the conservative movement.”
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Everything You Need to Know
Students entering their junior or senior year of high school.
$0. The program is fully funded and accepted Fellows are not charged. Need-based travel scholarships available for Austin summits.
Five short essays (150 words), one long essay (500 words), and one recommendation letter. Essay prompts →
Two in-person summits at 901 Congress Ave, Austin plus eleven virtual Wednesday sessions.
Mark Your Calendar
In-Person
Virtual
Virtual
Virtual
Virtual
Virtual
Virtual
Virtual
Virtual
Virtual
Virtual
Virtual
In-Person
⚠️ Students who expect to miss either Saturday or more than two Wednesday meetings should not consider applying.
Apply Now
Complete five short-answer essay questions (150 words each) and one long essay (no more than 500 words). We recommend writing your responses BEFORE filling out the application. View essay prompts →
You’ll also need at least one recommendation letter from a mentor or authority figure who is not a family member. This must be filled out by the recommender (not the student). Recommendations are only accepted through the link sent to your email upon submission.
📅 Deadline: April 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM CT
Opens in a new tab on the TPPF careers page
Life in the Program
Previously the Richardson Youth Liberty Fellowship
Ready to Shape What Comes Next?
Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort are open now. Five essays, one recommendation, and the drive to make a difference — that’s all it takes.
Deadline: April 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM CT
Program Leadership
