Applications are open for the 2026 O’Shaughnessy Fellowships & Grants, offering $100,000 in equity-free funding to global builders, researchers, and creatives working on ambitious ideas.
O’Shaughnessy Fellowships & Grants 2026: A Global Call for Builders and Creators
The O’Shaughnessy Fellowships & Grants have officially opened applications for the 2026 cohort, inviting builders, researchers, and creatives from around the world to apply. This global initiative supports individuals working on ambitious ideas with the potential to meaningfully advance civilization—across science, technology, art, culture, and beyond.
Unlike traditional fellowships tied to institutions, committees, or rigid outcomes, the O’Shaughnessy Fellowship is built on trust. It is designed for people who take initiative, solve real problems, and execute boldly—often without permission or recognition.
The Fellowship at a Glance
The O’Shaughnessy Fellowship is a one-year, equity-free program that provides recipients with the resources and freedom to focus entirely on transformative work.
Fellows receive:
- $100,000 in funding
- 12 months of uninterrupted focus
- 0% equity taken
- No corporate oversight
- No required deliverables or thesis approvals
- Full ownership of all outcomes
The program removes many of the constraints that often limit innovation. There are no boards to satisfy, no predefined milestones, and no institutional agendas. Fellows are trusted to use their judgment and pursue their ideas in the way they believe is most effective.
Who Should Apply
The call for applications is open to individuals across all disciplines and geographies. Past Fellows and Grantees have come from more than 160 countries, reflecting the program’s global reach and inclusive philosophy.
Applicants have represented a wide range of fields, including:
- Quantum computing and advanced physics
- Documentary filmmaking and immersive media
- Prosthetic engineering and assistive technologies
- Endangered language and cultural preservation
- Music, design, and creative arts
- Biology, artificial intelligence, and synthetic systems
The Fellowship is not limited to academics, entrepreneurs, or artists. Instead, it is designed for individuals who demonstrate three core qualities.
What the Program Looks For
Self-Directed Initiative
Applicants are expected to be builders who act without waiting for permission. The program values individuals who consistently take initiative and move ideas forward without relying on external validation.
Prolific Problem Solving
A strong track record of meaningful output is essential. This may include research, products, creative works, or systems that solve real problems and demonstrate execution.
Relentless Resourcefulness
Fellows often succeed despite limited resources. The selection process prioritizes adaptability, sound judgment, persistence, and the ability to make progress under constraints.
Formal credentials are not required. The program focuses on what applicants have built or contributed, not where they studied or who they are connected to.
What Fellows Are Building
Over the past three years, more than 75 Fellows and Grantees have received funding. Their work spans a wide range of disciplines and impact areas, including:
- Synthetic biology and cellular engineering
- Affordable prosthetics and medical devices
- Research into biological aging and genome maintenance
- Preservation of endangered languages and cultural heritage
- AI-driven art, filmmaking, and interactive experiences
- Novel manufacturing techniques and advanced materials
- Global music and media projects reaching millions
Many recipients describe the Fellowship as a turning point—providing not only capital, but confidence, time, and momentum at a critical stage in their work.
Application Timeline for 2026
The 2026 selection process follows a structured, multi-stage review designed to understand both the applicant and the ambition behind their idea.
Stage 1: Application Window
- January 1 – April 30, 2026
- Applications reviewed on a rolling basis
- Most applicants receive updates within 30 days
Stage 2: Introductory Conversations
- February 1 – May 30, 2026
- Shortlisted applicants meet with the OSV team
- Conversations focus on vision, ambition, and problem-solving approach
Stage 3: Deeper Conversations
- Ongoing through May 30, 2026
- Additional discussions with team members and extended network
- Final selections announced by June 1, 2026
The Grants Program
Not every high-impact idea requires a full year of funding. In addition to awarding ten Fellowships, the O’Shaughnessy program also offers a Grants track.
The Grants program includes:
- Up to 20 awards
- At least $10,000 per recipient
- Access to the OSV network of founders, investors, and experts
All Fellowship applicants are automatically considered for grant funding, ensuring strong ideas receive support even if they are not selected for the full Fellowship.
Why This Fellowship Matters Now
Innovation tools are more accessible than ever, and geography is no longer a limiting factor. At the same time, traditional credential-based gatekeeping is becoming less relevant. What matters most today is execution.
The O’Shaughnessy Fellowship offers something increasingly rare:
- Freedom to experiment
- Financial security to take meaningful risks
- Capital without debt or dilution
By allowing recipients to retain 100% ownership of their work, the program supports long-term thinking and uncompromised ambition.
Apply Now
The O’Shaughnessy Fellowships & Grants are open to individuals ready to take responsibility for shaping the future.
Applications close on April 30, 2026.
One year.
$100,000.
A fundamentally different trajectory.
APPLY HERE
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