Introduces the Charlie Kirk Courage Fellowship: Inspiring Brave Leadership and Advocacy for Life

“Charlie Kirk’s legacy of fearless advocacy, unwavering commitment to truth, and bold leadership will live on through this prestigious fellowship,” said Kristan Hawkins, Students for Life President. “The most powerful way to honor Charlie’s memory will be to raise up the next generation of leaders who embody his courage, conviction, and vision for transforming culture.” 

For media inquiries, contact [email protected].  

FREDERICKSBURG, VA (09-30-2025) — Students for Life proudly announces an inspiring evolution in its leadership development efforts through the National Leaders Collective (NLC): the renaming of the Students for Life Action (SFLAction) State Captain Fellowship to the Charlie Kirk Courage Fellowship. This decision honors the enduring legacy of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) Founder Charlie Kirk, whose grassroots activism and unwavering commitment to truth have inspired a generation of leaders in both campus and community arenas. 

Beginning today, Students for Life is opening applications to welcome up to eight additional leaders who have demonstrated the same passion and resolve as Charlie Kirk in championing pro-life values in the political sphere. These individuals will have the opportunity to join the National Leaders Collective for the spring semester of the 2025-2026 academic year, furthering their impact and honoring Charlie’s lasting influence. 

“After Charlie’s tragic death, countless students felt called to walk in his footsteps,” said Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins. “Today, we’re helping ​make that possible. This isn’t just a name change: it’s a powerful recommitment to the values Charlie lived out: bold courage, relentless advocacy, and a passion for educating the next generation. It’s a legacy we’re proud to carry forward.” 

“Charlie Kirk reminded us all that courage in leadership can change the world. Through this fellowship, we hope to ignite that same spirit in a new wave of advocates and leaders,” said Mary Briganti, Director of Students for Life’s Leadership Initiatives.  

BACKGROUND: 

For more than 15 years,Students for Life’s National Leaders Collective has brought together the most passionate and driven student leaders to advance the pro-life cause and launch them into impactful careers. Since its inception, more than 600 fellows have taken part in this transformative program. 

LEARN MORE: National Leaders Collective 

For more information about the Charlie Kirk Courage Fellowship, application details, or to nominate a student leader, please contact SFLA. 

#### 

The Pro-Life Generation (PLG) is an umbrella organization encompassing the most-cutting edge engagement opportunities for a Vote Pro-Life First Community. PLG includes Students for Life Action (SFLAction), a 501c4, along with its 501c3 sister organization, Students for Life of America (SFLA), that together make up the nation’s largest, pro-life youth organization, managing a grassroots political and policy operation engaging Americans of all ages but with a special emphasis on the largest segment of voters — the Youth Vote. Headquartered in Fredericksburg, VA, PLG/SFLA/SFLAction serves more than 1,500 groups on middle, high school, college, medical, and law school campuses in all 50 states. Our team has more conversations with this generation targeted by the abortion lobby than any other pro-life operation in the world, each week reaching more than 4 million across social media platforms and averaging 1.3 million video views. In addition to SFLA/SFLAction, PLG leads multiple initiatives to lead and serve the future of the pro-life movement including the Campaign for Abortion Free Cities, Standing With You, and the Demetree Institute for Pro-Life.