The Texas Scholars Program (formerly the Richardson Youth Liberty Fellowship) is an initiative of the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), a public policy think tank driving conservative policy solutions in Texas and the nation as a whole. The Foundation does this by providing academically sound research and creative policy solutions for our state and nation’s biggest challenges.

With the future in mind, the Texas Scholars Program seeks to bring the immense knowledge and resources of TPPF to the next generation of the conservative movement.

PROGRAM INFO

The Texas Scholars Program is a semester-long program designed for students entering their high school junior or senior year.

Accepted Fellows will be placed on teams and given specific roles and responsibilities with the ultimate goal of simulating a public policy think tank environment. Throughout the semester, Fellows will engage in policy seminars and professional development taught by some of the most highly regarded industry experts in Texas.

Each week, the Fellows will have the chance for the direct application of those lessons as they work towards the final capstone project alongside their teammates.

THE STRUCTURE

All students will be expected to attend two full-day, in-person events in Austin on the Saturday at the beginning and the Saturday at end of the program, as well as ten virtual weekly meetings that will take place on Wednesday evenings.

Students who expect to miss either Saturday or more than two Wednesday meetings should not consider applying.

THE ACCOMPLISHMENT

At the close of the program, there will be an awards reception at which certificates will be presented to Fellows along with awards for outstanding work done during the program. Parents and relatives are invited and encouraged to attend this event.

THE COST

Thanks to the generous donations of those invested in our future leaders, the Fellowship is available FREE OF CHARGE to accepted Fellows. (Fellows will need to arrange their own travel to attend the opening and closing summit at the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s office in downtown Austin. Need-based travel scholarships available.)

APPLICATION PROCESS 

As a part of the application, we ask students to complete five short-answer essay questions (150 words each) and one long essay (no more than 500 words). The prompts can be found here. We recommend applicants write their responses BEFORE filling out the application.

Additionally, students will need two recommendation letters from a mentor or authority figure other than a family member. The recommender (NOT THE STUDENT) must fill out the form. Please do not submit a formal letter. Recommendations will only be accepted through the recommendation form sent upon your application's receipt.

PROGRAM DATES 2025

• Saturday, August 29, 2026 – Full-Day, first meeting, in-person at 901 Congress in Austin, TX

• Wednesday, September 2, 2026 – 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM CST, second meeting, virtual-online

• Wednesday, September 9, 2026 – 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM CST, third meeting, virtual-online

• Wednesday, September 16, 2026 – 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM CST, fourth meeting, virtual-online

• Wednesday, September 23, 2026 – 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM CST, fifth meeting, virtual-online

• Wednesday, September 30, 2026 – 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM CST, sixth meeting, virtual-online

• Wednesday, October 7, 2026 – 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM CST, seventh meeting, virtual-online

• Wednesday, October 14, 2026 – 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM CST, eighth meeting, virtual-online

• Wednesday, October 21, 2026 – 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM CST, ninth meeting, virtual-online

• Wednesday, October 28, 2026 – 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM CST, tenth meeting, virtual-online

• Wednesday, November 4, 2026 – 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM CST online, eleventh meeting, virtual-online

• Wednesday, November 11, 2026 – 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM CST online, twelfth meeting, virtual-online

• Saturday, November 14, 2026 – Full-Day, thirteenth (capstone) meeting, in-person at 901 Congress in Austin, TX