Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 United States Senate Youth Program, a merit-based program that invites outstanding high school students to Washington, D.C., for an intensive week-long study of the federal government.

The Kentucky Department of Education is accepting applications from high school juniors and seniors who demonstrate demonstrated leadership through elected or appointed positions in student government, education, public affairs or community service. Two Kentucky students will be selected as delegates and will each receive a college scholarship, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history, government and public affairs.

The selected delegates will represent Kentucky as part of a national 104-student delegation. They will participate in Washington Week, scheduled for March 6-13, where they will attend meetings and briefings with high-level officials from each branch of the federal government, including members of Congress, Cabinet officials and potentially a U.S. Supreme Court justice.

The Kentucky Department of Education will announce the names of the two delegates and two alternates in December. The selection process includes semifinalist interviews in Frankfort.

The U.S. Senate Youth Program was established in 1962 by Senate Resolution and has been sponsored by the Senate and funded by The Hearst Foundations. Previous Kentucky delegates include Ethan Morgan, a senior at Marshall County High School, and Patrick Gorbaviy, a senior at Oldham County High School, who were selected for the 2025-2026 program.

To apply, students must meet specific eligibility requirements and submit materials including three essay responses, two letters of recommendation, a resume, an unofficial high school transcript and a signature form with authorization from their principal or counselor, parent or guardian, and themselves.

For more information, students can email awards@education.ky.gov or call Kentucky Department of Education Academic Program Manager Rosalind Turner at (502) 564-2000, ext. 4626. Additional details are available on the KDE U.S. Senate Youth Program website.