The UNICEF Leading Minds Fellowship on Climate Education is now open for applications, offering young people a chance to drive meaningful change in global climate learning. The 18-month programme runs from February 2026 to July 2027 and aims to support youth in transforming climate education systems.
Selected initiatives may receive grant support of up to $20,000 to help scale their impact.
The climate education is a fundamental right and a tool for intergenerational justice, which supports youth-led research, foresight, and advocacy to influence education policy and climate strategies worldwide. The initiative is a chance to help reimagine climate education, so that every child, everywhere, grows up prepared, empowered, and able to shape a just and sustainable future.
As a Leading Minds Climate Education Fellow, young people will join a global cohort working to elevate youth-driven ideas. Participants will conduct research, engage in foresight-based work, contribute to policy, and take part in designing strategic discussions. UNICEF plans to select up to 12 young climate leaders between the ages of 10 and 30 who are already strengthening climate education in their schools, communities, or countries.
A youth-led climate initiative could take many forms. Examples include curriculum development, school climate clubs, partnerships with government authorities, projects linking climate education with justice or human rights, and informal or community learning efforts. Digital campaigns, online storytelling, awareness outreach, and media platforms also qualify. UNICEF says, “If you’re helping others learn, adapt, engage, or act on the climate crisis — this Fellowship is for you.”
Fellows will focus on documenting and strengthening their climate education “Bright Spot.” They will contribute to systems thinking and youth-led research, shape policies, join national and global dialogues, and create stories, tools, and evidence that improve education systems. They will also co-design and co-host strategic convenings during the programme.
Benefits include a stipend for participation, technical mentorship, collaboration opportunities with research partners, visibility and public speaking platforms, and practical experience in child rights, foresight, youth engagement, and advocacy. UNICEF also highlights leadership development and access to a global network of young advocates. Each selected fellow will be eligible for up to $20,000 in grant support.
The fellowship is open to young people aged 10 to 30 who are leading or representing a climate education initiative, passionate about climate action, able to commit four to five hours weekly from February 2026 to July 2027, and comfortable working in English.
The application deadline is December 31, 2025.
Interested candidates are directed to apply via https://forms.office.com/e/M16DEbh0gz.
