Apply for Leading Minds Fellowship on Climate Education

UNICEF’s Leading Minds Fellowship Program supports youth-led climate education initiatives, helping young leaders advance equitable, rights-based, and innovative approaches to climate learning. The 18-month virtual fellowship offers mentorship, leadership development, stipends, and potential grant support of up to $20,000, with applications open to youth aged 10–30 with demonstrated impact.

Overview

The UNICEF Leading Minds Fellowship Program is designed to support youth innovators who are reimagining climate education worldwide. Fellows work to ensure every child grows up prepared, empowered, and equipped to contribute to a just and sustainable future. The program emphasizes youth-led initiatives that integrate formal, informal, and digital climate education strategies.

Program Objectives

The Fellowship aims to:

• Strengthen youth-led climate education initiatives in schools, communities, and countries

• Promote rights-based and justice-centered approaches linking climate education to equity and human rights

• Support digital campaigns, media initiatives, storytelling, and awareness-raising efforts

• Enable Fellows to influence education policy and contribute to systems-level change

Key Features of the Fellowship

• Duration: 18 months

• Time commitment: 4–5 hours per week

• Format: Primarily virtual, with selective in-person events where feasible

• Stipend: One-time financial support for fellowship participation

• Grant support: Bright Spot initiatives may receive up to $20,000 to document and strengthen projects

• Cohort size: Up to 12 youth leaders selected globally

Focus Areas of Youth-Led Initiatives

1. School System Integration: Curriculum development, educational networks, or climate clubs.

2. Government Partnerships: Collaborative projects with education authorities or policymakers.

3. Rights-Based Approaches: Linking climate education with equity, justice, and human rights frameworks.

4. Community and Informal Learning: Local projects, campaigns, and community-led programs.

5. Digital Engagement: Online platforms, social media campaigns, and storytelling initiatives.

Who Is Eligible?

• Youth aged 10–30 years

• Demonstrated track record in climate action or education initiatives

• Comfortable working in English

• Existing initiatives with demonstrated activities, outcomes, and impact

• Inclusive leadership and commitment to justice-centered approaches

How to Apply / How It Works

1. Identify a climate education initiative or project that demonstrates measurable impact

2. Prepare application materials detailing:

   • Initiative description and objectives

   • Achievements and evidence of impact

   • Plans for strengthening, documenting, and scaling the initiative

   • Leadership and collaborative activities

3. Submit the application through the UNICEF Leading Minds Fellowship portal

4. Selected Fellows will participate in an 18-month virtual program with mentorship, peer collaboration, and potential grant support for Bright Spot initiatives

Application Evaluation Criteria

• Demonstrated impact of existing initiatives

• Alignment with rights-based and justice-centered approaches

• Innovation and potential for systemic change in climate education

• Leadership skills, inclusivity, and ability to collaborate in diverse teams

• Feasibility and sustainability of proposed fellowship activities

Benefits of the Fellowship

• Mentorship and guidance from global climate education and youth experts

• Leadership development workshops and skill-building opportunities

• Access to a global network of youth advocates and partners

• Financial support through stipends and potential Bright Spot grants

• Opportunities to contribute to policy dialogues and knowledge-sharing initiatives

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting an application without a clearly demonstrated initiative or impact

• Ignoring rights-based and justice-centered aspects in project design

• Failing to articulate measurable outcomes and objectives

• Overlooking the time commitment required for program participation

• Submitting incomplete or poorly detailed application materials

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the duration of the fellowship?
The fellowship runs for 18 months with a weekly commitment of 4–5 hours.

Who can apply?
Youth aged 10–30 with demonstrated experience in climate action or education initiatives.

Is the fellowship virtual or in-person?
Primarily virtual, with selective in-person events aligned with workshops or conferences.

Are grants available for projects?
Yes, Bright Spot initiatives may receive up to $20,000 for strengthening, documenting, and scaling their work.

How many fellows will be selected?
Up to 12 Fellows globally.

What types of initiatives are eligible?
School-based programs, community-led projects, government partnerships, digital campaigns, and rights-based climate education programs.

What language proficiency is required?
Applicants should be comfortable working in English.

Why This Fellowship Matters

The Leading Minds Fellowship equips youth to reimagine climate education, embedding justice, equity, and innovation into systems that impact children worldwide. By fostering leadership, collaboration, and policy engagement, the program strengthens youth capacity to create lasting educational and environmental change.

Conclusion

UNICEF’s Leading Minds Fellowship provides a unique platform for young climate leaders to advance meaningful, systemic change in climate education. Through mentorship, financial support, and global networking, Fellows are empowered to scale their impact, document best practices, and influence policies that benefit children and communities globally.