UNICEF Leading Minds Fellowship on Climate Education

The Leading Minds Fellowship on Climate Education invites young climate leaders aged 10–30 to join a global UNICEF-supported cohort shaping the future of climate education, with mentorship, stipends, and grants of up to $20,000.

The Leading Minds Fellowship on Climate Education is a global initiative designed to support and elevate young people who are already transforming how communities learn about and respond to the climate crisis. Led in partnership with UNICEF, the fellowship brings together a diverse, international cohort of youth leaders committed to ensuring that climate education equips every child to build a just and sustainable future.

As climate change increasingly affects children and young people around the world, the need for meaningful, accessible, and action-oriented climate education has never been greater. This fellowship responds directly to that need by investing in youth-led initiatives that strengthen climate learning in schools, communities, and informal spaces.

A Global Fellowship with a Clear Mission

The Leading Minds Fellowship on Climate Education is focused on reimagining climate education so that it goes beyond awareness and equips learners with the knowledge, skills, and agency to act. The programme supports youth who are already leading or contributing to climate education initiatives and gives them the tools, visibility, and networks needed to scale their impact.

Selected fellows join a global cohort working collaboratively across regions, cultures, and education systems. Together, they contribute to research, policy dialogue, and strategic learning efforts that influence how climate education is designed and delivered worldwide.

Who UNICEF Is Looking For

UNICEF is selecting up to 12 young climate leaders between the ages of 10 and 30 who are strengthening climate education in formal and informal settings. Fellows may be working at the school, community, national, or digital level, as long as their work supports climate learning and action.

Eligible youth-led climate education initiatives may include:

School system integration, such as curriculum development, education networks, or school-based climate clubs
Government partnerships, including collaborative work with education authorities or policymakers
Rights-based and justice-focused approaches, linking climate education to equity, justice, and human rights
Community resilience and informal education, such as local projects, campaigns, or community-led learning initiatives
Digital campaigns and media, including online platforms, storytelling projects, or awareness-raising efforts

If an initiative helps others learn, adapt, engage, or act in response to the climate crisis, it aligns with the goals of the fellowship.

What Fellows Will Do

During the fellowship period, selected participants will actively contribute to shaping the future of climate education at both national and global levels. Their work will focus on strengthening and sharing effective practices while contributing to broader systems change.

Key activities include:

Documenting and strengthening their climate education “Bright Spot” initiative
Contributing to youth-led research, foresight, and systems thinking on climate education
Shaping policy and participating in national and global dialogues on education and climate
Producing stories, tools, and evidence that improve education systems and practices
Co-designing and co-hosting strategic convenings with other youth leaders and partners

This hands-on approach ensures that fellows are not only learners but also contributors and leaders within the global climate education movement.

Fellowship Duration and Time Commitment

Fellows are expected to commit four to five hours per week from February 2026 to July 2027. This part-time structure allows young people to participate alongside school, work, or other responsibilities while still making a meaningful contribution.

Participants must be comfortable working in English, as it is the primary language of collaboration. Knowledge of other UN languages is considered an asset but is not required.

Funding, Support, and Benefits

The Leading Minds Fellowship offers a comprehensive support package designed to recognize and strengthen the contributions of young leaders.

Fellows receive:

A stipend for their work and contributions during the fellowship
Technical mentorship and collaboration with research and policy partners
Visibility and speaking opportunities at national and global levels
Hands-on experience in child rights, youth engagement, foresight, and advocacy
Leadership development and access to a global network of youth advocates and experts

In addition, each selected initiative is eligible for grant support of up to $20,000, enabling fellows to strengthen, expand, or sustain their climate education work.

Why This Fellowship Matters

Climate education is a critical tool for building resilience, equity, and long-term solutions to the climate crisis. By investing directly in youth-led initiatives, the Leading Minds Fellowship recognizes young people not only as learners, but as leaders, innovators, and change-makers.

The fellowship creates a platform where youth voices shape research, policy, and practice—ensuring that climate education reflects the realities, priorities, and creativity of the next generation.

Who Should Apply

Applicants must be:

Between 10 and 30 years old
Leading or representing a climate education initiative
Passionate about climate action, education, and positive social change
Able to commit time consistently throughout the fellowship period
Comfortable collaborating in English

Additional eligibility details are available in the programme’s FAQs.

Final Thoughts

The Leading Minds Fellowship on Climate Education is a rare opportunity for young people to scale their impact, influence global conversations, and help shape education systems for a climate-affected world. By combining mentorship, funding, research, and policy engagement, the fellowship empowers youth to lead the transformation of climate education—locally and globally.

For young leaders already working at the intersection of climate action and education, this fellowship offers the platform, support, and global network needed to take that work to the next level.