Maryland Fund IRL Youth Ambassadors

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Maryland Fund IRL Youth Ambassadors
Your voice. Your state. Real-life impact.

Maryland is receiving up to $327 million from a settlement with Meta over the harm social media has done to young people. Right now, no one has decided how that money will be spent. We think the people most affected should have a say.

The Maryland Out of School Time Network (MOST) is looking for up to eight young Marylanders, ages 14 to 18, to join the inaugural class of Fund IRL Youth Ambassadors. Over seven months, you'll build real advocacy and leadership skills, then use them to lead a statewide campaign telling policymakers how settlement dollars should support youth well-being and in-real-life connection.

Apply Now
Applications close Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

What You'll Do

As a Youth Ambassador, you will:

  • Shape the message. Help create materials about youth well-being and social media policy that speak to people your age.
  • Run a campaign. Plan and carry out a coordinated social media and communications push across Maryland.
  • Reach decision-makers. Connect with peers, families, and policymakers, from your own community all the way to state leaders.
  • Design and lead a policy forum in Annapolis. Co-plan and speak at a youth-led forum during the 2027 legislative session.
  • Take the stage at MOST CON 2027. Contribute to the pre-conference policy forum at Maryland's largest gathering of out-of-school-time professionals.

What You'll Get

  • A $1,000 stipend
  • Training and mentorship in advocacy, communications, and civic engagement
  • Statewide leadership experience you can point to on college and job applications
  • A shared cohort budget for training and activities
  • A real voice in how Maryland invests in young people

Who Should Apply

You're a great fit if you:

  • Live in Maryland and are between 14 and 18 years old
  • Have opinions about how social media affects you and your friends
  • Want to learn how policy actually gets made, and how to influence it
  • Are ready to work as part of a small, committed team

No prior advocacy experience needed. We're looking for curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to speak up.

When What
October 18, 2026 Applications Due
By October 31, 2026 Selections announced
November 2026 Orientation and issue exploration
December 2026 Team building, leadership development, and design-thinking sessions
January 7, 2027 MOSTCON 2027 Pre-Conference Policy Forum
February 2027 Final planning for the Annapolis forum
Late Feb. / Early March 2027 Fund IRL Youth Ambassador Policy Forum in Annapolis

Apply Now

Want to prepare first? Preview the application questions.

Questions? Email us at info@mostnetwork.org.