True Blue Fellowship: Mentorship and Funding for Youth-led Projects on Ocean and Climate Issues

Empowering Youth for Environmental Change

The True Blue Fellowship (formerly the Fellowship Grant Program) is dedicated to empowering youth worldwide to leverage the creative arts in making a tangible difference in their local communities. This initiative, originally created and led by the Future Blue Youth Council (FBYC)—a diverse group of Bow Seat alumni—aims to safeguard the ocean, waterways, and the climate through creativity and advocacy.

Fellowship Benefits

The True Blue Fellowship is offered to 10 youth-led projects that address ocean, waterways, and/or climate change issues through a creative arts lens. Selected Fellows will receive:

• Up to $2,500 USD in funding.
• Access to a community of Fellows and capacity building programs.
• Mentorship and support from the Future Blue Youth Council and Bow Seat staff.

All applicants, regardless of selection, will have access to resources to help develop grant writing, project management, and fundraising skills.

Fellowship Requirements

Projects must:

• Utilize the creative arts as the primary method for awareness and/or action.
• Co-create with and engage others in the local community.
• Have a tangible impact on the local community and environment.

Creative Arts in Action

Creative arts can mean anything from visual arts, film, interactive & multimedia, performing arts, poetry, creative writing, and more. Your project should incorporate some creative arts element to create change. Here are some current grantees for inspiration:

• The Eco Poets: Using poetry to raise awareness about climate change.
• The Mazingira School Drive: Using performing arts to raise awareness about the effects of gold mining in their local community and recruiting community members to participate in restoration efforts.
• Mindful Nature: Using art therapy along with nature-based therapy to address mental health issues among youth in their local community.

You do not need to be a skilled artist yourself. Consider co-creating with your community. There are numerous ways the creative arts can be used as a catalyst for change.

Focus Areas

Bow Seat’s True Blue Fellowship is focused specifically on the ocean, waterways, and/or climate change. This broad scope allows for a variety of environmental and social justice issues to be addressed creatively.

Deadline

Applications are due on September 1st at 11:59 PM EDT.

Application Process

Rules & Eligibility

1. Who May Enter: Open to young people worldwide ages 13-24 (applications must be in English).
2. Proof of Eligibility: Proof of age, identity, or eligibility may be required  after submission.
3. Location: Open to young people worldwide.
4. Participants: Individuals, classes, groups, clubs, or organizations. Groups must select one leader as the primary contact.
5. Project Age: Projects must be new or emerging (no older than 2 years).
6. Creative Arts Focus: Projects must use creative arts as the primary method to enact change.
7. Environmental Focus: Projects must address ocean, waterways, and/or climate change issues.

Note: 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.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Alignment with Fellowship goals.
• Demonstrated issue knowledge.
• Thoughtful approach.
• Realistic goals, including an appropriate budget and timeline.
• Likely to result in measurable impacts.

Commitment

Selected 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
• Work closely with Future Blue Youth Council (FBYC) mentors, Bow Seat staff, and partners including calls with FBYC mentors at least once a month as well as informal check-ins via an online WhatsApp chat community, and emails when required. 
• Submit quarterly reports including a mid-year and end-of-year report that detail project updates, successes, key learnings, and expenses incurred.
• Support their Future Blue Youth Council mentors with developing a blog post about the project.
• Attend a virtual weekend orientation on Saturday, January 4th 2025, cohort meetings every other month, and capacity building workshops.

Marketing and Promotion

Bow Seat and the Future Blue Youth Council reserve the right to use Fellows’ work for marketing and promotional purposes in any media. They promise to administer the Fellowship fairly, ethically, and with integrity.

Learn More

Visit the following links to explore more about the True Blue Fellowship:

• Apply Now
• FAQs
• Current Fellows
• 2023 Fellows
• 2022 Fellows
• Fellowship Resources
• Fellowship News
• Future Blue Youth Council
• Past Programs