True Blue Fellowship

About the Program

The True Blue Fellowship (formerly the Fellowship Grant Program) aims to connect and empower youth around the world to leverage the creative arts to enact change in local communities to safeguard the ocean, waterways, and the climate. The Fellowship provides mentorship, capacity building, and funding of up to $2,500 for 12 youth-led projects that address ocean, waterways, and/or climate change issues in their local communities through a creative arts lens.

Deadline check (2026-11-04): The official application page confirms 2027 applications closed, January 9 orientation, and a next-cycle opening in June 2027 without an exact day or deadline. The FAQ retains the extended September 6 deadline at 11:59 p.m. ET and states January–December programming; duration no longer relies on an inference from quarterly reports. The listed age and project rules describe the published 2027 fellowship, not confirmed rules for the later application cycle.

Eligibility

Projects must utilize the creative arts as the primary method for awareness and/or action, co-create with and engage others in their local community, and have a tangible impact on their local community and environment. Projects may be new or emerging (no older than 2 years). Projects must be related to safeguarding the ocean, waterways, and/or climate change issues. Youth ages 16-24 (at the start of the Fellowship period in January).

Eligible Countries

How to Apply

The official page says applications for the 2027 Fellowship are closed and the next application cycle opens in June 2027. An exact opening day and next deadline are not published. The selected 2027 Fellows attend virtual orientation on January 9, 2027, followed by monthly meetings, workshops, and quarterly reporting. The June reopening must not be treated as reopening the January 2027 cohort.