Overview
Cultural Survival announces the 2026 Call for Proposals for its Indigenous Youth Fellowship Program, a global initiative designed to strengthen Indigenous cultural identity and enhance youth leadership. Since its launch in 2018, the program has awarded 157 fellowships, directly supporting over 350 Indigenous youth around the world.
This fellowship provides financial support, leadership development opportunities, and mentorship for youth-led, community-driven projects that aim to uplift Indigenous voices and bring attention to local issues within national and global dialogues.
Fellowship Details
- Funding Amount: $2,500 – $5,000 USD (depending on project scope)
- Project Duration: 3 to 6 months
- Implementation Period: March – September 2026
Fellows are expected to lead innovative, multidisciplinary initiatives that promote community resilience and cultural revitalization in their regions.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Identify as Indigenous
- Be between the ages of 18 and 28 (individuals or groups)
- Be committed to working in partnership with Cultural Survival staff and meeting all project deadlines
- Be first-time applicants to the Youth Fellowship program
- Preferably speak or express an interest in learning their Indigenous language
Fellows will be paired with a local mentor, who will voluntarily provide feedback, encouragement, and guidance throughout the project.
Cultural Survival strongly encourages applications from women and 2SLGBTQ+ youth and is committed to maintaining a balance of gender and geographic representation among fellows.
Priority Regions for 2026
While the call is open globally, special consideration will be given to applicants from the following countries:
The Americas
Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, Belize, Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Paraguay, Brazil, Guyana
Asia
Bangladesh, Mongolia, Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, India
Africa
Chad, Cameroon, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Angola
Project Themes
Proposed projects must fall within at least one of the following priority themes:
✅Climate Change Solutions
Community-based actions, climate resilience strategies, sustainable practices
✅Culture and Languages
Language revitalization, cultural preservation, storytelling, intergenerational knowledge transfer
✅Lands and Livelihoods
Traditional knowledge related to land stewardship, sustainable livelihoods, Indigenous food systems
Eligible Activities
Projects may include, but are not limited to:
✅Community workshops or trainings
✅Capacity-building activities
✅Multimedia projects (film, podcasting, photography, etc.)
✅Cultural or language documentation initiatives
✅Traditional knowledge sharing
Construction or improvement of culturally relevant community structures
✅All projects must be scheduled for execution between March and September 2026.
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Step 1: Submit a Proposal Concept
Interested applicants must complete a Google Form application by September 30, 2025 (11:59 PM ET). Applicants must ensure that their email is accurate, active, and regularly monitored. Incomplete applications or forms submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Optional Submission Format
Applicants may choose to submit their responses as a 5-minute video or audio recording in place of written answers. This file can be uploaded directly through the application form.
Step 2: Second Round
Shortlisted applicants will be notified by October 30, 2025. They will then be invited to submit a full project proposal and detailed budget for final review.
Final Selection & Project Start
✅Final fellows will be announced in December 2025
✅Grant disbursements will begin in January 2026
✅Projects may officially start any time after March 1, 2026
Contact and Additional Information
For further information about the program or application process, applicants are encouraged to visit Cultural Survival’s website or reach out directly through the contact information provided in the application form.
By supporting Indigenous youth to lead community-based projects, the 2026 Indigenous Youth Fellowship empowers the next generation to protect their lands, languages, cultures, and futures.
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