# Young Ambassadors Program

Fully funded Smithsonian program for graduating high school seniors: a week-long training seminar in Washington, DC followed by a four-week paid practicum at a museum or cultural institution in one of 19 US and Puerto Rico cities.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino |
| Category | arts |
| Cost | Free |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grade 12 |
| Format | In person |
| Location | Washington, DC |
| Apply | https://internships.si.edu/opportunity/young-ambassadors-program |

## About this program

# Young Ambassadors Program

The Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) is the National Museum of the American Latino's flagship program for graduating high school seniors, designed to cultivate leaders in the arts, sciences, humanities, and civic life through the Smithsonian's collections and staff. Participants first come to Washington, DC for a week-long training seminar, then return home for a four-week paid practicum in a museum or cultural institution in their own community.

## What You'll Do

- Spend a week at the Smithsonian visiting Latino collections and working with museum professionals, curators, and subject experts
- Complete a four-week paid practicum at a cultural institution in one of 19 cities across the United States and Puerto Rico, many of them Smithsonian Affiliates
- Apply seminar training to hands-on museum assignments in collections, education, programming, or public engagement
- Join a national cohort and the program's alumni network

## Who Should Apply

Graduating high school seniors who will receive a diploma in the spring and enroll in an accredited college or university in the fall. Applicants must be US citizens or legal permanent residents, meet a minimum 3.25 GPA, and be fluent in English - all programming is offered in English with no Spanish-language requirement, and the program is open to students regardless of race or ethnicity. The application includes three short statements, a resume, a video, a photo, and one letter of recommendation.

## Outcomes

Participation covers meals and accommodations during the training seminar, round-trip travel to Washington, DC, and a program stipend, making it a fully funded first professional experience in the museum and cultural-heritage field.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does Young Ambassadors Program cost?

Young Ambassadors Program is completely free — there is no participation fee. Costs like travel or optional materials may still apply; check the official site for details.

### Who is eligible for Young Ambassadors Program?

Young Ambassadors Program is open to high school seniors. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is Young Ambassadors Program online or in person?

Young Ambassadors Program is an in-person program based in Washington, DC.

### How do I apply to Young Ambassadors Program?

Apply directly through Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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