Deadline: February 15, 2026
Applications are open for the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) Ocean Leaders Fellowship 2026. The Ocean Leaders Fellowship (OLF), developed by Sustainable Ocean Alliance and in partnership with Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy, is a one-year annual program designed to support and empower exceptional young professionals in their efforts to protect and restore the health of the ocean.
In this program, 40 Fellows will gain new skills, networks, and opportunities required to make a measurable impact in ocean conservation and climate action in their communities and beyond. OLF is designed to cultivate belonging, activate collective power, and build lifetime leadership capacity, so Fellows can bridge local knowledge and global decision-making with confidence and integrity.
Benefits
- The program curriculum includes skill development workshops, access to mentors, collaboration opportunities with peers, and a special opportunity to travel and participate in an international conference and leadership institute in June 2026.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be 18–35 as of June 20, 2026
- Work in ocean or climate action (with a strong interest in 30×30)
- Align with one of SOA’s five Ocean Impact Areas
- Have C1 English proficiency
- Be available for international travel the entire dates of June 9th-19th 2026
- Not have previously attended OOC or UNOC Youth forums
Application
The Fellowship runs from March 26th to December 5th 2026, and combines weekly virtual programming with an immersive in-person institute. OLF supports young ocean leaders who are already organizing, leading teams, and influencing systems, and want to deepen their impact.
For more information, visit Ocean Leaders Fellowship.
