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Fiscal Advocacy Competition
Your Campus. Your Campaign. Lead the Conversation Toward Change.
The growing national debt comes at a real cost to each and every one of us. With our future at risk, it’s time to drive the conversation toward change. The Up to Us Fiscal Advocacy Competition challenges passionate college students to raise awareness and inspire action for a stronger future.
Bring together a team and begin planning. You’ll receive intensive training, resources, and funding to build a creative campaign that engages your peers, whether you organize a hike in the name of debt awareness, design a gallery exhibition on the topic, or play Uncle Sam on the street to test people's knowledge about fiscal issues. Teams that most effectively mobilize their campus communities will win cash prizes and educational trips to cities like Washington, D.C., and New York.
Since 2012, 800+ teams from across the country have rallied their campuses, engaging 500K+ of their peers to take action.
“The national debt has such a long-term impact on my generation, but many of my peers had no idea until we engaged them through our campaign. By reaching out to our peers, we can be a part of the solution and send a message to America’s leaders that we need to fix this for our economic future. I’m grateful that Up to Us gave me the opportunity to start that discussion on my campus, and I’m hopeful we can continue to move the needle.”
— Anastasia Poulos, Up to Us participant
Prizes
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The first-place team will receive a $5,000 cash prize.
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Cash prizes for teams placing second through fifth are awarded on a tiered basis, ranging from $750-$2,000.
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All top teams will receive a funded, in-person experience for the team leader and an exclusive “Career Package" that includes mentorship opportunities, digital badges, and a letter of recommendation.
What You Gain
As a participant in the Fiscal Advocacy Competition, you will:
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Access to this year's weekly virtual training calls, featuring the Up to Us community, skills-building workshops, and networking opportunities.
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Emerge with hands-on experience in developing impactful campaigns and fostering meaningful dialogue with your peers, as well as skills in:
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Project Management
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Digital Marketing
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Event Planning
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Team Building
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Problem Solving
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Strategy Development
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Community Engagement
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Leadership
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Be eligible to apply for the Up to Us Civic Engagement Scholarship, which provides up to $2,000 stipends for students pursuing low- or no-wage relevant internships, courses, fellowships, or research projects.
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Be eligible to apply for the Economic & Fiscal Policy Internship, a paid research internship at the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C., open to one student each year.
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Gain access to the Up to Us Leadership Network’s Professional Pathways program.
Participant Support
We are committed to the success of all teams bringing the national debt conversation to their campuses. Access real support from day one, including:
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Funding to execute creative, effective campaigns.
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Leadership and project management training through live workshops and our flexible learning platform, which allows you to develop your skills when, where, and how you want.
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Unparalleled connections to thought leaders in public policy, community organizing, social entrepreneurship, and more.
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Dedicated staff to help your team thrive.
How to Apply
FAQs
What is the time commitment for the Fiscal Advocacy Competition?
Time commitment is minimal and flexible and ultimately depends on the impact you are hoping to create. Successful teams are able to commit 3–5 hours a week to building and executing their campaign over the course of 8 weeks during a semester. The program is offered in both the fall semester and spring semester.
How will campaigns be judged?
Student campaigns will be judged by competition organizers and a diverse panel. Campaigns will be scored on a variety of criteria, including the success of key campaign activities and the creativity and vision behind those activities.
Is there a partisan-based political agenda?
No. Up to Us is nonpartisan and encourages collaboration and impactful solutions across party lines.
Learn More
This Up to Us Leadership Network program is run in coordination with Net Impact. For questions about the Fiscal Advocacy Competition, please reach out to uptous@netimpact.org.
What's Next?
Your campus campaign is just the beginning. Keep the momentum going to build a stronger future.
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Want to hone your leadership and organizing skills? Apply for the Fiscal Leadership Lab.
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Want the opportunity to develop and present policy solutions? Apply for the Fiscal Policy Challenge.
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Want to build a stronger campaign and go further than before? Participate again.
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Don’t forget — after completing this program, you are now eligible for the Professional Pathways program where you have exclusive access to career resources, opportunities, and a network of peers.