Established in 2026, the Foundation Fellows Program brings faculty and students together in a shared community of inquiry focused on examining the ideas, texts, and traditions that have shaped American democracy. Developed in conjunction with the nation’s 250th anniversary, the program invites participants to engage thoughtfully with questions of citizenship, leadership, and the responsibilities of democratic life.

Through guided readings, discussion, and collaborative learning, fellows examine how principles such as free inquiry, civil discourse, and civic engagement take shape within a university setting and in the broader public sphere. By connecting historical foundations to contemporary challenges, the program fosters thoughtful dialogue across disciplines, perspectives, and generations.

The Fellows Program reflects Auburn University’s commitment to education in service to the public good, creating opportunities for faculty and students to learn together, contribute to campuswide conversations, and help sustain the practices and institutions that support a vibrant democracy.

The Foundation Student Fellows Program

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Auburn University invites applications for the Foundation Student Fellows Program. This program, which will run in parallel to a Foundation Faculty Fellows Program, will take place primarily in the Fall of 2026 and will be administered by the Honors College. Students do not need to be members of the Honors College to apply.

The Foundation Fellows will form a community of inquiry focused on the ideals, texts, and traditions of the United States of America. Their primary charge will be to explore how best to foster the institutions and practices of representative democracy, free inquiry, civil discourse, and civic engagement at Auburn University.

The Student Fellows will enroll in a one-credit course, meeting for 90 minutes weekly on Monday evenings to discuss classic texts relating to the establishment of the United States as well as the history and future of what has come to be called “The American Experiment” in representative democracy.

All Foundation Student Fellows also will travel over the Fall Break of 2026 (October 8-11) to Washington, D.C., where they will visit several sites relating to the United States’ foundation and government. Auburn University’s Office of Federal Relations in Washington, DC will provide a home base for the Fellows during this trip, and Auburn University will fund the air fare, hotel, and some of the meals for this journey.

If they fulfil the requirements of the course, each Foundation Student Fellows will receive a $2,000 scholarship.

Eligibility

All full-time Auburn University undergraduates are eligible to apply. They may major in any field, so long as they have demonstrated interest in studying the key texts and issues of the United States’ founding and government, along with the challenges of a democratic society committed to both civility and free speech.

To apply

Interested applicants should fill out an application at [this link] by Monday, March 2, at 5:00 p.m. Applicants must be available to attend class on Monday evenings and participate in the trip to Washington, D.C. over the Fall Break.