Are you passionate about safeguarding our oceans, waterways, and climate through creative media? Bow Seat’s True Blue Fellowship is officially open. It offers up to $2,500 in project funding, global mentorship, and peer collaboration to bring your eco-creative ideas to life.
| 📅 Application Deadline | August 30th at 11:59 PM |
| 💰 Funding Support | Up to $2,500 per project |
| 👥 Target Age Group | Young people aged 16 to 24 globally |
| 🎨 Core Method | Projects using Creative Arts to solve environmental issues |
| 💼 Fellowship Category | Fellowships |
What the True Blue Fellowship Is About
The True Blue Fellowship empowers youth-led projects that address ocean pollution, waterway health, and climate change. This program stands out because it requires projects to use the creative arts as the primary engine to drive environmental action and awareness.
If selected, you don’t just get financial backing. You will work directly with the Future Blue Youth Council (FBYC) peers and Bow Seat staff. The program provides a collaborative global network, monthly cohort meetings, and hands-on capacity-building workshops to help maximize your project’s local impact.
Self-Qualification: Are You Eligible?
Before preparing your application, review these entry and project criteria to ensure your venture qualifies:
- Age Limit: You must be between 16 and 24 years old.
- Language Requirement: Applications must be submitted in English. You should be comfortable communicating in spoken English for peer discussions. Note: You can use translation tools like Google Translate for the written application phase.
- Project Status: Your project can be brand new or an emerging initiative under two years old. Established youth organizations can apply if the specific project being proposed is less than two years old.
- Team Structure: Applications can come from individuals, groups, or organizations. Groups must designate one project leader to serve as the primary Fellow.
- Limit: Only one application per person is permitted.
Evaluation Criteria: How to Win the Grant
The selection committee will evaluate your proposal based on five key areas:
- Alignment: How closely your project fits the Fellowship’s core environmental and artistic goals.
- Knowledge: Your demonstrated understanding of the climate or ocean issue you are addressing.
- Approach: How thoughtful, intentional, and strategic your project design is.
- Realism: Having realistic goals, an appropriate timeline, and a clear budget explaining how you will use the funding.
- Impact: The likelihood of your project creating clear, measurable changes in your community.
Important Expectations and Commitments
Being a Fellow requires active operational engagement. If selected, you must agree to the following conditions:
- Active Communication: Participate in mandatory monthly peer calls, monthly cohort meetings, and keep up with informal check-ins via an online WhatsApp community.
- Orientation: Attend the virtual weekend orientation session on Saturday, January 9th, 2026.
- Reporting: Submit quarterly updates, including detailed mid-year and end-of-year reports outlining your project successes, key learnings, and financial expenses incurred.
- Verification: If selected, you must complete and return eligibility verification documents within five business days of being notified. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign these on your behalf.
⚠️ Strict Warning on AI Usage
Bow Seat encourages using AI tools for initial research or brainstorming. However, all final application responses must be your own original work. The selection committee enforces a strict policy: any application found to contain AI-generated text or answers will face automatic disqualification.
How to Apply
Ready to submit your creative environmental project? Ensure your proposal clearly maps out your budget and project timeline before applying.
Official Application Portal
To read the full guidelines and submit your application folder directly to the selection committee, use the official portal link below:
👉 Apply Online: Official Bow Seat True Blue Fellowship Portal