GET READY FOR THE 2026 BILLIE JEAN KING YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award (BJKYLA) celebrates leaders 25 years of age or younger who, like its namesake, sports icon and equality champion Billie Jean King, are harnessing the power of sports to tackle society’s most pressing challenges.
Awarded each year with a grant as part of ESPN’s prestigious Sports Humanitarian Awards and the ESPYS, BJKYLA honorees have a passion for sports and a commitment to leadership and service. These youth leaders are going above and beyond to support their communities and the next generation – overturning discriminatory legislation affecting student athletes at local and state levels, creating safe spaces to play in challenging environments, and building sports-based programs that are empowering girls and building their confidence, just to name a few.
About the Award
National honorees:
- receive a $10,000 grant which can be awarded as a college academic scholarship or be directed to an eligible non-profit associated with their leadership and service work in sport
- recognized at the 2026 ESPYS
Regional honorees:
-
- receive a $2,500 grant to support their community leadership work or a college academic scholarship
- have their work and impact promoted through various BJKYLA channels
All honorees:
-
- participate in a leadership development training program led by sport for development experts
- receive fundraising and curriculum-building resources to support their work
- have opportunities to collaborate with and learn from an inspirational network of past BJKYLA honorees
Eligiblity Criteria
All nominees and applicants must be:
-
- a U.S. citizen, U.S. National or Permanent Resident under the age of 25
- enrolled in a high school or an accredited 4-year college or university (graduate students may be considered)
- connected to a registered and verifiable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization associated with their leadership service work in sports
Additionally, academic scholarships will only be considered for applicants who have:
-
- demonstrated financial need as verified by their college or university
- a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
Meet some of our BJKYLA Honorees
Does this sound like you or someone you know?
Sign Up for More Information
Complete this form to receive updates about the 2026 BJKYLA application process.