4-H Youth In Action Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by National 4-H Council

All applicants—and their 4‑H educators—will have access to media, interview, and storytelling workshops led by National 4‑H experts. Apply now to secure this exclusive registration opportunity.

2027 PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Overview — 4‑H Youth in Action
You’ve discovered a passion through 4‑H, found purpose, and inspired others. The 4‑H Youth in Action program spotlights young leaders who are making measurable differences in their communities. Share how 4‑H helped you create change and you could receive a $5,000 scholarship and the opportunity to represent National 4‑H Council as a national spokesperson.

What the program does
Youth in Action elevates the stories and leadership of 4‑H members preparing for their futures while demonstrating how 4‑H shaped their lives and enabled them to impact others.

Awards & Recognition

All applicants will receive:
- Media, interview, and storytelling training delivered by National 4‑H professionals.
- Inclusion in the national 4‑H story database, which may lead to national multimedia and spokesperson opportunities.

Four award winners will receive:
- A $5,000 scholarship applied directly to an educational institution (eligible options include two‑year and four‑year colleges, trade schools, or other approved advanced learning programs).
- A year of individualized professional and media development, including training, networking, and national spokesperson opportunities.
- An all‑expenses‑paid trip for the award recipient and one chaperone to participate as the national youth spokesperson.
- An official letter of reference from a National 4‑H Council leader for use in education or career applications.

Award recipients must adhere to the terms listed on the application and to the Award Winner Agreement provided by National 4‑H Council at the time of selection.

Selection Process

1. Online application
Complete and submit your application at 4-H.org/YouthInAction. Applications open on January 5th. When a fully completed application is received, you will get a confirmation email. Incomplete submissions do not generate a confirmation and will not be considered. If you are unsure whether your application was received, contact National 4‑H Council at YouthinAction@4‑H.org.

2. Finalist selection & virtual interview
National 4‑H Council will review all entries and name finalists. Those not advanced to finalist status will receive an email notification. Finalists must take part in a one‑on‑one virtual interview scheduled for May.

3. Award winner selection
A selection committee will evaluate finalists and National 4‑H Council will notify award winners in August. Finalists who are not selected as scholarship recipients will still be recognized on the 4‑H Youth in Action website and social channels and will be invited to serve as key storytellers in national multimedia efforts.

Note: Individual application scores or reviewer comments will not be released.

Essay / Short‑Answer Requirements
Respond with narrative answers that describe your experiences (do not submit only lists of achievements). Focus on leadership that produced benefits for others and involved meaningful responsibility. Sub‑questions are provided to help shape your responses but are optional.

Question 1 — How has 4‑H affected you? (maximum 2,500 characters)
Consider: In what ways has participating in 4‑H changed or improved your life? What have you discovered about yourself? Has your 4‑H involvement helped you overcome a challenge? Did 4‑H help you define interests, discover passions, or develop specific skills? Strong entries give concrete examples of impact.

Question 2 — Describe a project, program, activity, or series of activities where you demonstrated leadership and explain how that leadership benefited your community. (maximum 4,000 characters)
Consider: What inspired you to lead? What role did you hold? When and where did this work take place? Is it ongoing? What steps did you take? How did you collaborate with others? Who benefited and how? What long‑term effects do you expect? Strong answers include clear, specific examples of your leadership in action.

60‑Second Video
Provide a link to a video (60 seconds or less) that answers the following prompt:
4‑H builds life skills, confidence, and belonging through hands‑on learning. Share one skill you gained from 4‑H that will help you in your future career.

Video requirements:
- 60 seconds or shorter and feature only you speaking (no additional speakers or visual overlays).
- Recorded with a basic device (smartphone is fine). No special equipment or editing required.
- Uploaded to YouTube and set so anyone with the link can view it.

Photos
Upload three separate images:
- Two photos that show you demonstrating leadership.
- One headshot.
Photo collages or montages will not be reviewed. Accepted file types: JPG, GIF, PNG.

Questions or Help
We appreciate your interest in the 4‑H Youth in Action Awards. If you have questions about the awards or the application process, please use the contacts below.

General award questions: YouthInAction@4H.org
Problems with online submission: webadmin@4‑H.org