How Would You Transform Your City?
Knight Emerging City Champions is a fellowship and micro-grant program for young civic innovators with bold ideas for developing engaged, inclusive and equitable communities toward a more effective democracy. This program is powered by 8 80 Cities and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Applications for the 2024 Knight Emerging City Champions program are now closed. The deadline was 11:59 pm EDT on May 27, 2024.
Here's How It Works
We are elevating new voices in city building and supporting bold projects that strengthen communities. We are looking for future city leaders with creative solutions to promote more engaged communities within the following categories:
Downtown and Neighborhood Revitalization
Economic Opportunity
KECC Studio
This year, Knight Emerging City Champions will kickoff with an in-person KECC Studio in Toronto, Canada that will equip participants with the tools they need to begin implementing their community projects and connect them with champions across the U.S.
Are You Eligible?
Stayed tuned for updates on the 2024-2025 application period.
Inspiring Ideas
From past champions