Programs

The True Blue Fellowship is an evolution of the Fellowship Grant Program. The Fellowship focuses specifically on funding projects that address ocean, waterways, and/or climate change 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.

We aim to build a community of youth leaders among True Blue Fellows, provide mentorship and capacity building opportunities, and have a tangible youth impact on communities worldwide. With the Fellowship, Bow Seat hopes to demonstrate the power of creative arts to empower youth to take action and create change. Importantly, we hope all of the above will help improve youth resiliency and mental health as we face an unprecedented Earth crisis.

Creative arts can mean anything from visual arts, film, interactive & multimedia, performing arts, poetry, creative writing, and more. The way you want to create change in your project should involve some creative arts element. Check out some current Fellows for inspiration!

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

Fellows get the opportunity to participate in skill-building workshops, hear from experts in the field, and have one-on-one sessions with advisors relevant to their projects. Once Fellows’ needs are identified in the application phase and quarter 1 of the Fellowship, Bow Seat staff work to provide personalized capacity building.

The True Blue Fellowship is a significant time commitment. In addition to conducting your project, you will be required to meet with your Future Blue Youth Council peers at least once a month, and with your Fellowship cohort every month. Informal communications via WhatsApp, email, etc. are expected between these meeting times. Other ad hoc meetings may occur. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, Fellows are expected to attend all meetings and reply promptly to communications.

Once all Fellows are selected, The True Blue Fellowship programming will start in January and end in December. Projects may continue beyond the completion of the Fellowship programming. Bow Seat encourages Fellows to develop projects that have the potential for sustainability beyond the initial funding.

• Youth ages 16-24 (at the start of the Fellowship period in January).
• Young people worldwide.
  • Applications must be submitted in English. Translation tools such as Google Translate may be used for the written application. Because the Fellowship includes discussions and collaboration with peers from around the world, applicants should be comfortable communicating in spoken English.
• Individuals, groups, or organizations.
  • If applying as a group or organization, please designate one project leader to serve as the Fellow and primary point of contact.
• New or emerging projects that are less than two years old.
  • Organizations or groups older than two years may apply if the proposed project is less than two years old.

No. We accept applications for new projects as well as projects that are less than two years old.

No. Anyone who meets our eligibility requirements may apply.

No. Only one person from your team, “the project lead,” should submit the application. You are welcome to work on it together.

Yes, but only if that team member who is within the age range accepts the responsibility to be the project leader and become the True Blue Fellow. That person must participate in all requirements of the Fellowship.

No, only applicants under 18 years of age are required to identify an Adult Sponsor.

All applicants, regardless of age, are required to submit one letter of recommendation. The letter should come from someone who knows you well, is familiar with your project, and can speak to your abilities, commitment, and potential for success.

Appropriate recommenders may include a teacher, mentor, supervisor, advisor, coach, community leader, or another adult who has worked closely with you.

Letters of recommendation cannot be submitted by family members or friends.

• Please submit your application using this form. Applications are due by August 30th at 11:59PM ET.
• During September and October the Future Blue Youth Council will select a shortlist of finalists. Each application will be read at least twice.
• Throughout November, a selection committee of FBYC and Fellowship alumni along with Bow Seat staff will interview each finalist and select 12 True Blue Fellows.
• The True Blue Fellowship begins in January

• Finalists for the interview round will be notified by early November.
• Those selected for the Fellowship will be notified by early December.

You may use AI to help learn about a topic or conduct research, but all application responses must be your own original work. Any application found to contain AI-generated answers will be disqualified.

Supporting documentation is optional. This is a space to include photos, news articles, social media posts, etc. of your project if you have any. Please keep any documentation focused specifically on your project.

No. You may download the templates or create your own detailed timeline and budget. The level of detail in your timeline and budget will be a significant factor when reviewing applications and selecting finalists.

Here are examples of a previous project timeline and budget

Final funding depends on many factors after rigorous evaluation of your application and interview. Bow Seat will ensure every True Blue Fellow has proper funding for their project.

Yes. Fellows should use funding based on the budget they provided. Fellows must notify Bow Seat in writing as soon as possible of any changes to how funding will be used.

Do not worry! Contact [email protected], and we will assist you.

Contact [email protected]