Deadline: 01 September 2024

Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs has opened for another round of fellowship-funding programs. As the world’s largest environmental youth program for the creative arts, its mission is to empower youth to connect, create, and communicate for our planet. Since 2011, Bow Seat has engaged over 33,000 students from more than 140 countries and all 50 U.S. states.

After the overwhelming success and support garnered from the previous Fellowship Grant Program, Bow Seat is thrilled to announce the reopening of the program, now rebranded as the True Blue Fellowship.

The Fellowship offers peer-mentorship, capacity building, and funding of up to $2,500 USD to youth who are developing projects that address ocean, waterways, and/or climate issues through a creative arts lens. One of the biggest changes from the Fellowship Grant Program is that the creative arts must serve as the primary method of awareness and/or action in the project.

I.Benefits

• Up to $ 2,500 USD funding for your project
• Access to a community of other fellows and capacity building programs
• Mentorship and support from the future blue youth council and the bow seat team

II. Eligibility

• This program is open to young people worldwide ages 13-24; however, applications must be in English.
• 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. 
• Projects may be new or emerging (no older than 2 years).
• Projects utilize the creative arts as its primary method to enact change.
• Projects are related to safeguarding the ocean, waterways, and/or the climate.
• Only one application per youth is permitted

III. Selection Criteria and process

• Decisions of the selection committee members are final.
• Applications will be evaluated based on how well the project: 
  • Aligns with the Fellowship Program’s goals; 
  • Demonstrates issue knowledge; 
  • Is thoughtful in its approach; 
  • Is realistic in its goals (which includes the demonstration of an appropriate budget and timeline); and 
  • Is likely to result in measurable impacts.

• Selected Fellows and their adult supporters will be notified via email before they are publicly announced by Bow Seat.
• 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 the Affidavit of Eligibility/Liability Release and, where lawful, the Publicity Release on their behalf.

• Fellows agree to work closely with Future Blue Youth Council (FBYC) mentors, Bow Seat staff, and partners.
  • This includes 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.
• Bow Seat and the Future Blue Youth Council reserve the right to use Fellows’ work for marketing and promotional purposes in any and all media.
• Bow Seat and the Future Blue Youth Council promise to administer the Fellowship fairly, ethically, and with integrity.

IV. How to Apply?

To apply, Please, Click HERE:

For more information, please contact [email protected] or visit Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs