Founded in 1992, the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF) is an independent educational organization established to help prepare extraordinary young people for their professional careers. Its mission is to bring various professions to life, empowering outstanding young people with confidence to make well-informed career choices. NYLF programs are held in nine cities throughout the United States.

Forums are offered in a variety of career fields, including law, medicine and national security. High achieving high school and university students are nominated to attend NYLF programs by educators, organization advisors, alumni, participating institutions or through classroom surveys. Students may also be admitted through an application process provided they meet the academic requirements. NYLF scholars all demonstrate strong academic abilities, leadership and an interest in the career field being studied.

The National Youth Leadership Forum Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, provides need-based scholarships to high-achieving students who have qualified to attend the programs offered by the National Youth Leadership Forum. The Foundation's scholarships recognize and reward students for leadership and academic achievement and ensure the diversity of NYLF programs. Students who receive foundation scholarships bring a full range of meaningful and valuable perspectives and viewpoints that contribute greatly to the experience of the program.