8 80 Cities announces the launch of a new round of applications for the 2025 Knight Emerging City Champions Fellowship program to support young civic innovators with bold ideas to transform their communities
TORONTO – 8 80 Cities is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2025-26 Knight Emerging City Champions (KECC) fellowship and micro-grant program, funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The program invites young civic innovators, ages 18-35, who are passionate about driving transformative change in Knight Foundation’s eight resident communities to apply. This is a unique opportunity to receive funding and build leadership skills while contributing to meaningful, creative solutions for local challenges.
“As we open applications for the next KECC cohort, Knight Foundation is eager to support a new group of rising civic leaders ready to turn their creative ideas into action—and join a growing network of community leaders transforming Knight cities from the ground up.” Kelly Jin, Chief of Staff to the President & CEO and Vice President of Communities, Knight Foundation
The program seeks creative young leaders with bold ideas that strengthen trust and community connection, foster creative expression and build local resilience. The KECC program is now accepting applications for 20 new leaders for the 2025-2026 program.
Twenty successful applicants will receive $5,000 in seed funding and a $500 tech grant to help implement their project idea, ongoing virtual training, technical support from 8 80 Cities and access to a national network of creative urbanists. The program will run from August 2025 to August 2026.
The KECC program was created to support and better equip emerging leaders with the resources and training to turn their ideas into action. This will be the eighth cohort of KECC. Since its inception in 2015, the program has helped catalyze more than 130 public space and civic engagement projects in communities across eight Knight cities. Projects have ranged from beehives and jukeboxes to mentorship programs and gamified co-design tools.
“Over the years, KECC has supported more than 130 young civic innovators who have transformed their communities in powerful ways. We are excited to see what kind of community-led solutions and ideas we will see this year. This cohort will join a growing network of champions, placemakers, grassroots leaders, and civic tech experts who can assist with project implementation.” Amanda O’Rourke, Executive Director, 8 80 Cities.
The program is accepting applications from residents aged 18-35 from the following cities: Akron, OH; Charlotte, NC; Detroit, MI; Macon, GA; Miami, FL; Philadelphia, PA; San Jose, CA; and St. Paul, MN.
“KECC was an absolutely incredible experience that brought my vision to life! What started as a rough idea became a clear, impactful reality thanks to the support, knowledge and guidance from 8 80 Cities and their amazing team. The connections I made with the other fellows were just as powerful—many of whom I still collaborate with today. Fast forward a few years, and On The Move Art Studio is thriving, bringing quality arts education to over 70,000 children. None of this would have been possible without KECC, and I’m forever grateful!” – Josh Nadzam, 2017 Alumni
The program will kick off in August 2025, with an in-person experience in Toronto. The studio includes presentations, workshops and city tours that feature inspiring grassroots community advocates and city leaders.
KECC is powered by 8 80 Cities, a nonprofit organization with a mission to ignite action and challenge the status quo to create healthier, more equitable and sustainable cities for all people. To apply to the Knight Emerging City Champions fellowship, applicants must submit their ideas at www.emergingcitychampions.org by May 28, 2025, 11:59 pm EDT (8:59 pm PST).