Ocean Leaders Fellowship 2026 in Kenya (Fully Funded) | How to Apply
The Ocean Leaders Fellowship 2026 is a fully funded leadership and capacity-building fellowship organized by the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) in partnership with Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy. It is designed to empower young professionals passionate about ocean conservation and climate action, providing them with skills, networks, and platforms to influence and lead impactful change for ocean sustainability.
This fellowship is available for international students from worldwide. Read below to check your eligibility, understand the benefits, required documents, and how to apply before the application deadline.
Ocean Leaders Fellowship 2026 Summary
- Host Country: Kenya
- Study Abroad: Study in Africa
- Host: Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA)
- Category: Fellowships
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Reward: Fully funded (travel, accommodation, visa, meals)
- Fellowship Duration: March 26 to December 5, 2026
- Deadline: 15 February 2026
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Ocean Leaders Fellowship 2026 Details
The Ocean Leaders Fellowship (OLF) 2026 is an annual program that selects 40 global fellows aged 18–35 to participate in a hybrid fellowship combining weekly virtual learning with an immersive in-person leadership institute and international conference participation. The 2026 cohort focuses on advancing the 30×30 roadmap, which aims to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 through impactful leadership, collaboration, and policy engagement.
Fellows engage in a structured curriculum that includes:
- Tactical skill development workshops
- Peer collaboration and leadership pods
- Mentorship with global experts
- Hands-on experiences in campaign design, policy influence, and coalition building
- Participation in global ocean and climate leadership summits in June 2026
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Eligibility Requirements for the Ocean Leaders Fellowship 2026
To qualify for the Ocean Leaders Fellowship 2026, applicants must meet the following:
- Be 18–35 years old as of June 20, 2026
- Demonstrate leadership or strong potential in ocean conservation, climate action, or related fields
- Align with one of SOA’s five Ocean Impact Areas (e.g., pollution reduction, greenhouse gas reduction, ecosystems preservation, blue foods, ocean data & research)
- Have C1 English proficiency (Advanced level)
- Be available for international travel during the required in-person dates
- Not have previously attended the Our Ocean Conference (OOC) or UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) Youth forums
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Ocean Leaders Fellowship 2026 Benefits
Selected fellows receive a range of fully funded benefits, including:
- Visa coverage and travel expenses for required international sessions
- Accommodation and food during the in-person portion of the program
- Access to skill development workshops and leadership training
- Mentorship and networking with global ocean leaders
- Opportunity to participate in international conferences and leadership institutes
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Required Documents
While the official SOA site primarily outlines eligibility and fellowship structure, typical application requirements generally include:
- Completed online application form submitted through the official portal.
- A short motivational video (approximately 2 minutes)
- A high-resolution professional headshot photo
- Contact information of two (2) references
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How to Apply for the Ocean Leaders Fellowship 2026
- Visit the Ocean Leaders Fellowship 2026 official page below.
- Review all eligibility criteria carefully.
- Complete the online application form with accurate personal and professional information.
- Upload any required supporting materials as guided.
- Submit the completed application before the deadline.
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Deadline
15 February 2026 at 11:59 PM PST
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