Texas GIFFORDS Courage Fellowship

Across the country, young people have been standing up and demanding a safer future for their communities—demanding a future free from gun violence. Since 2018, GIFFORDS has supported these brave activists through our Courage Fellowship program, which provides a select group of young people the opportunity to refine their advocacy skills and work together to reduce gun violence. 

Over the course of the program, Courage Fellows between the ages of 18 and 24 will be placed at the heart of the gun violence prevention discussion. They will engage in an array of activities that focus on advocacy and effective organizing, from learning about the issue firsthand from gun policy experts to lobbying legislators at their State Capitol. The program will consist of three in-person trainings, and four virtual trainings with GIFFORDS staff. Between these trainings, participants will work on a community engagement project of their choosing, with the support of GIFFORDS staff and resources.

In 2024, we launched GIFFORDS Texas, a new initiative designed to strengthen and expand the gun violence prevention movement in the Lone Star State. Using advocacy, education, community investment, and legislation, our mission is to reduce the appallingly high rate of gun violence across the state. A key part of this effort relies on cultivating relationships with elected officials—and with community leaders like you. Texas has been at the center of our nation’s worst mass shootings far too many times, not to mention the day-to-day drumbeat of violence in local communities, and it’s past time that we put an end to these preventable tragedies.

GIFFORDS is dedicated to doing the work that needs to be done in Texas to save lives from gun violence. You can be a part of that. 

Application Deadline 

The deadline to apply for the 2027 class of Texas Courage Fellows is Sunday, November 22nd, 2026, at 12 am ET.

Our application is now live at this link. If you have technical difficulties or questions, please email couragefellows@ giffords.org. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

• An orientation meeting on Saturday, January 9, 2027. 
• A 3-day training in Houston from Friday, January 29, to Sunday, January 31, 2027.
• Virtual Training #1 & #2 on Saturday, February 27, 2027.
• A 2-day lobbying training and legislator meeting in Austin from Tuesday, March 16, to Wednesday, March 17, 2027.
• Virtual Training #3 on Saturday, April 17, 2027.
• Virtual Training #4 on Saturday, May 1, 2027.
• A 3-day graduation in Dallas from Friday, May 7, to Sunday, May 9, 2027.
• Regular check-ins and mentorship opportunities with GIFFORDS staff.
• The creation and implementation of a community engagement project with support from GIFFORDS.

Throughout the program, Courage Fellows will: 

• Learn from nationally recognized leaders in the gun violence prevention and greater progressive movements.
• Network with other young activists in their state, including past Courage Fellows.
• Develop and implement a gun violence prevention project in their community.
• Build critical team-building, communication, organizing, and advocacy skills. 
• Meet with legislators to discuss the importance of gun violence prevention efforts. 

What is the community engagement project? 

The purpose of the take-home project is for Courage Fellows to put the skills they learn in the first training to use in their own communities. The ideal project will be substantive, engaging, and locally focused. Fellows will brainstorm project ideas, subject to approval by GIFFORDS staff, throughout the first training. Past projects have included:

• Voter registration drives
• Press conferences
• Town halls with local elected officials 
• Art installations

We’re looking for the next generation of leaders in the gun violence prevention movement. The ideal candidate will:

• Have strong ties to their state and plan on remaining in their state for the foreseeable future. 
• Have demonstrated interest in politics, community organizing, activism, or volunteerism.
• Be eager to learn new skills and open to different points of view.
• Be passionate about fighting gun violence and willing to work with others towards this shared goal. 

Applicants do not need to be extensively involved in the gun violence prevention movement already—we are looking to build a diverse class of Courage Fellows with varying backgrounds and experiences.

1. Willing to travel around their state for all listed trainings (all program-related costs, including food, travel, and hotel costs, will be covered by GIFFORDS).
2. Able to attend the entirety of all trainings.
3. Ready to join our Courage Fellowship Ambassador Program, which includes: 
   1. Representing and attending at least two GIFFORDS community, legislative, and media events per year. 
   2. Mentoring incoming Courage Fellows.
   3. Planning or co-leading at least one event or advocacy initiative per year.
   4. Participating in quarterly check-ins with GIFFORDS staff.
   5. Contributing to communications through blogs, op-eds, or social media.

1. Candidates are required to write one short essay (no more than 750 words) answering the following questions:

• What are your thoughts on gun violence in America? 
• What gun violence prevention efforts do you believe are most important in order to create change in your state, and how would you organize your generation to make those efforts happen?
• What do you hope to gain from this opportunity?

1. Résumé

All candidates should submit a one-page résumé detailing their work and/or volunteer experience. If you do not already have one, please review this sample résumé.