
The True Blue Fellowship, organized by Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs, is a global initiative designed to empower young people to become creative leaders for environmental change. Through mentorship, capacity building, and funding support, the Fellowship enables youth to launch or advance projects that harness the power of the creative arts to address issues related to the ocean, waterways, and climate change in their local communities.
Formerly known as the Fellowship Grant Program, the initiative was developed by the Future Blue Youth Council (FBYC)—a group of Bow Seat alumni committed to inspiring their peers to advocate for a more sustainable and equitable future. The Fellowship continues to expand its impact, fostering a growing global network of youth changemakers.
Program Overview
The True Blue Fellowship awards funding of up to $2,500 USD to a minimum of 10 youth-led projects annually. These projects must be grounded in the creative arts and focus on raising awareness, driving action, or influencing change related to the health of oceans, waterways, and the climate.
Fellows are provided with:
- Financial support to implement their ideas
- Mentorship from Bow Seat staff and Future Blue Youth Council members
- Access to training resources on grant writing, project management, community engagement, and fundraising
- Peer-to-peer connection with other Fellows from around the world
Regardless of selection, all applicants will benefit from resources to build skills critical to initiating or expanding community-focused environmental projects.
Fellowship Goals
All accepted projects must align with the following objectives:
- Creative Expression for Impact
Use creative arts—such as visual arts, music, writing, film, or performance—as the primary method of communication, awareness-raising, or advocacy. - Community Engagement
Collaborate with and involve local communities in meaningful ways, from co-creating art to hosting workshops or public events. - Local Environmental Action
Deliver tangible environmental or social impact, whether through behavior change, education, restoration efforts, or advocacy.
Projects can be of any duration, provided they demonstrate a clear path to achieving these goals.
Thematic Focus
The Fellowship encourages projects that explore the complex, interconnected challenges of the climate crisis, ocean health, and waterway protection. Participants are invited to examine environmental and social justice themes, and to explore the intersectionality between human well-being and environmental stewardship.
To inspire applicants, Bow Seat offers educational video resources on topics such as:
- Flying Rivers in the Amazon
- Sharks that Hunt in the Forest
- How Ocean Currents Work
These stories highlight the intricate linkages between ecosystems, reinforcing the Fellowship’s call for creative interpretations of environmental issues.
Eligibility
The True Blue Fellowship is open to:
- Youth aged 13–24 at the start of the Fellowship period (January)
- Applicants from anywhere in the world (submissions must be in English)
- Individuals or teams, including classrooms, clubs, or youth organizations
- New or emerging projects, launched within the past two years
(Established clubs or organizations may apply if the proposed project is under two years old.)
Why Apply?
Selected Fellows receive:
- Up to $2,500 USD in funding to implement their project
- Personalized mentorship and guidance
- Access to capacity-building workshops
- Membership in an international network of youth changemakers
In addition, all applicants—whether selected or not—gain access to tools that enhance leadership, project development, and fundraising skills.
For more information and to apply, visit True Blue Fellowship page.
About Bow Seat
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs is an award-winning nonprofit that engages youth in environmental education and advocacy through the arts. It is home to the Ocean Awareness Contest, Future Blue Youth Council, and other impactful initiatives that connect creativity with conservation. The True Blue Fellowship continues this mission by building leadership and amplifying youth voices in the global climate conversation.