NOAA’s Young Changemakers Fellowship: Empowering the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders(Fully-funded)

The NOAA Young Changemakers Fellowship (YCF) is a transformative year-long program designed for high school students across the United States, U.S. territories, and tribal nations who are passionate about making a positive impact on the ocean and environment. Supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this fellowship enables students to design and execute action projects addressing local ocean or environmental issues while also providing valuable insights to NOAA on broader environmental challenges.

In July 2023, the inaugural cohort of the eeBLUE Young Changemakers Fellowship convened for a kick-off summit in Washington, D.C. The event brought together nine high school students and four adult mentors, all dedicated to environmental advocacy. During this summit, fellows had the opportunity to meet with NOAA leadership, including NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad, and participate in hands-on workshops and discussions with government officials.

Applications Open for the Next Cohort

NOAA is excited to announce that applications for the next cohort of Young Changemakers are now open! Fifteen high school students will be selected for the 2024-2025 fellowship. Selected fellows will:

• Travel to D.C.: Participate in an all-expenses-paid kick-off summit featuring workshops, discussions with officials, and networking with peers (July 23-27, 2024).
• Monthly Meetings: Engage in virtual monthly meetings to enhance changemaking skills and share project progress.
• NOAA Mentorship: Receive one-on-one mentorship from a NOAA employee for project guidance and career advice.
• Project Funding: Obtain up to $750 in funding for their action project.
• Stipend: Receive an $800 stipend upon full program completion.

Program Highlights

The Young Changemakers Fellowship is dedicated to nurturing future leaders in ocean and environmental conservation. Participants gain skills in project planning, communication, and leadership through various program activities, including:

• In-Person Summit: A crucial part of the fellowship where students gather in Washington, D.C. for immersive experiences.
• Virtual Meetings: Regular online sessions to discuss project development and address challenges.
• NOAA Leadership Interactions: Opportunities to share insights with NOAA leaders on critical issues like climate change, ocean conservation, and environmental justice.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Young Changemakers Fellowship, applicants must:

• Be a high school student for the entire 2024-2025 school year.
• Be at least 13 years old by the application deadline of June 10, 2024.
• Reside and attend school in the United States, U.S. territories, or tribal nations.
• Show enthusiasm for the environment, ocean, Great Lakes, and/or coastal protection.
• Commit to the full year-long program, including attending the summit and participating in monthly meetings.

Application Process

Interested students should:

1. Review Program Details: Ensure they meet the eligibility criteria.
2. Preview the Application: Familiarize themselves with the application process and requirements.
3. Prepare the Application: Draft responses in a separate document before submitting them via the official Google Form.
4. Submit the Application: Complete and submit the application by June 10, 2024, at 11:59 pm Eastern time.

For questions or accessibility needs, applicants can contact young.changemakers@noaa.gov.

The Young Changemakers Fellowship class of 2023-2024 visiting the Capitol building. (Image credit: NOAA)

Learn More

For additional information, visit https://www.noaa.gov/young-changemakers-fellowship/application

Join us in making a difference for our ocean and environment by applying to become a Young Changemaker today!