True Blue Fellowship

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 at least 10 youth-led projects that address ocean, waterways, and/or climate change issues in their local communities through a creative arts lens.

Applications for the 2026 cohort will open June 30th, 2025 and close on September 1st, 2025. Applicants must familiarize themselves with the Fellowship’s rules, eligibility requirements, and objectives. Proof of age, identity, or eligibility may be required after application submission. Applications may be submitted by an individual or by a group of unlimited size; groups must select one group leader to serve as the primary contact. Only one application per youth is permitted. Selected Fellows and their adult supporters will be notified via email. Fellows will be required to verify their eligibility by completing, signing, and returning an Affidavit of Eligibility/Liability Release, and, where lawful, a Publicity Release within five (5) business days of attempted notification. Fellows under 18 years of age must have their parent/legal guardian sign and complete these documents on their behalf. Fellows agree to work closely with Future Blue Youth Council (FBYC) mentors, Bow Seat staff, and partners, including calls at least once a month with FBYC mentors as well as informal check-ins via an online WhatsApp chat community, and emails when required. Fellows are expected to respond promptly to all communications. Fellows will be required to submit quarterly reports including a mid-year and end-of-year report that detail project updates, successes, key learnings, and expenses incurred. Fellows will support their Future Blue Youth Council mentors with developing a blog post about the project. Fellows agree to participate in a virtual weekend orientation on Saturday, January 4th, 2025, cohort meetings every other month, and capacity building workshops.