Ocean Leaders Fellowship 2026 | Fully Funded Global Leadership Program

Application Deadline: 15 February 2026 (11:59 PM PST)
Cohort Size: 40 Global Fellows
Age Range: 18–35
Program Duration: 26 March – 5 December 2026
Time Commitment: Approximately 5 hours per week

Applications are now open for the Ocean Leaders Fellowship 2026, a global leadership program designed for early-career ocean and climate leaders who are ready to influence policy, strengthen marine protection, and advance the global 30×30 ocean conservation target.

The Fellowship is developed by Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) in partnership with Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy and supports young professionals working at the intersection of ocean conservation, climate action, and governance.

Why the Ocean Leaders Fellowship Matters

The ocean plays a vital role in sustaining life on Earth, yet many young leaders working on ocean protection face structural barriers that limit their access to global decision-making spaces. Despite their deep local knowledge and lived experience, emerging leaders are often excluded from policy conversations that directly affect their communities.

The Ocean Leaders Fellowship was created to address this gap. The program focuses on cultivating belonging, strengthening leadership grounded in integrity, and activating collective power to influence systems change at local, national, and international levels.

Fellowship Overview

The Ocean Leaders Fellowship is an eight-month leadership development program that combines learning, mentorship, and practical application. Fellows participate in:

Weekly virtual learning sessions
Coaching and mentorship from global experts
Peer collaboration through leadership pods
An immersive, fully funded international leadership institute and conference in June 2026
Opportunities to access grant funding and campaign support

The program is designed to help Fellows translate local knowledge into global policy influence while building the skills required to lead in complex, high-stakes environments.

2026 Thematic Focus: Advancing 30×30

The 2026 cohort is centered on advancing the 30×30 target, which aims to protect 30 percent of the ocean by 2030. Rather than focusing on abstract commitments, Fellows work on real-world challenges, including:

What ocean protection means in specific local and regional contexts
Equity, livelihoods, and Indigenous leadership in marine conservation
The intersection between ocean health and climate change
How collective leadership can shift policy outcomes and governance systems

By supporting 40 Global Fellows, the program strengthens broader ecosystems of ocean leadership and amplifies impact well beyond the cohort itself.

The Fellowship Experience

Throughout the Fellowship, participants will work closely with peers and mentors while developing practical leadership skills. Fellows will:

Collaborate in peer leadership pods of four to five participants
Engage in dialogue-based learning, coaching, and office hours
Practice leadership in real policy, advocacy, and campaign contexts
Build confidence, clarity, and resilience as systems-level leaders

The Fellowship is designed for individuals who are already organizing, leading teams, and influencing change within their communities or sectors.

The 2026 Learning Arc

Phase 1: Listening and Storytelling

Goal: Gather and represent community voices on ocean protection and 30×30

Fellows will develop skills in community dialogue, active listening, and multi-stakeholder engagement. Outputs include policy briefs grounded in local realities, media materials, and press outreach strategies.

Phase 2: Bridge Building

Goal: Translate community knowledge into global policy spaces

This phase focuses on influencing decision-makers, strategic networking, and effective storytelling in high-stakes policy environments.

Phase 3: Activating Collective Power

Goal: Turn learning into action

Fellows will design and lead campaigns, build coalitions, develop digital advocacy strategies, learn fundraising basics, and explore sustainable career pathways while maintaining well-being and resilience.

Program Details at a Glance

Program Dates: 26 March – 5 December 2026
Weekly Sessions: Thursdays at 8:00 AM PT (90 minutes to 2 hours)
In-Person International Program: 9–19 June 2026
Average Time Commitment: 5 hours per week

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

Be between 18 and 35 years old by 20 June 2026
Be actively working in ocean or climate action with a strong interest in 30×30
Align with one of Sustainable Ocean Alliance’s five Ocean Impact Areas
Have a minimum C1 level of English proficiency
Be available for international travel from 9–19 June 2026
Have not previously attended an Our Ocean Youth Leadership Summit or a UN Ocean Conference Youth Forum

Financial Support

All required costs for the international portion of the Fellowship are fully covered, including:

Travel
Accommodation
Meals
Visa expenses

Fellowship Outputs

By the end of the program, Fellows will co-create:

Country briefs on national 30×30 progress
A press brief
A campaign strategy plan and digital advocacy toolkit

These outputs are designed to support long-term advocacy and policy engagement beyond the Fellowship period.

Important Dates

Applications Open: 15 January 2026
Application Deadline: 15 February 2026
Program Kickoff: Week of 26 March 2026

Information Sessions

29 January 2026 at 8:00 AM PST
5 February 2026 at 8:00 AM PST

How to Apply or Nominate

Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply early. You may also nominate a young ocean leader whose work aligns with the Fellowship’s mission and values.

Applicants should review the official Ocean Leaders Fellowship 2026 FAQ for detailed guidance, eligibility clarification, and application support.

Apply or Nominate:

👉 Apply by February 15, 2026

👉 Nominate a young ocean leader

👉 Visit the FAQ

About Sustainable Ocean Alliance

Sustainable Ocean Alliance is a registered nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. The organization works globally to mobilize young leaders, innovators, and communities to protect and restore ocean health.

Final Note

The Ocean Leaders Fellowship 2026 offers a rare opportunity for emerging ocean and climate leaders to gain global exposure, strengthen leadership capacity, and directly influence the future of ocean protection. For young professionals committed to meaningful systems change, this Fellowship provides a powerful platform to lead with impact.

Apply by 15 February 2026.