Turning local environmental concerns into public evidence
A post-competition pathway for IYEC finalists to develop an existing environmental project into a research report, an externally shareable article, and a public project spotlight — under structured mentorship.
The IYEC Youth Environmental Research Fellowship was created to build a post-competition pathway for youth environmental projects. The fellowship supports a selected IYEC finalist in developing an existing project into a research report, an externally shareable article, and a public project spotlight.
IYEC receives projects from students around the world on issues such as water quality, pollution, biodiversity loss, climate impacts, waste, land use, and environmental health. Many of these projects begin with direct local observation and serious concern for the student's community.
At the same time, many capable students do not have access to the research support that helps turn local environmental observations into clear public evidence. They may lack research mentors, publication guidance, or feedback on how to present their work in a useful and credible way.
Through structured mentorship, clear milestones, and public-facing final outputs, the fellowship helps students move from environmental awareness and action toward stronger research communication and public environmental knowledge.
The fellowship does not create a new project from scratch. It strengthens work the student has already started through IYEC.
This fellowship reflects IYEC's broader mission of helping youth move from environmental awareness to action, and from action to evidence-based public work.
Eligible IYEC finalists may apply by completing the fellowship application form. Applicants should be prepared to describe their existing environmental project, explain what work they have already completed, and identify how mentorship would help them strengthen the project.
Applicants should have an existing environmental project that shows:
The selected fellow will not simply be the applicant with the most polished project. IYEC will prioritize a student whose work shows strong initiative, credible potential, and a clear reason why structured mentorship would help them take the next step.
The application will ask about student ownership, environmental relevance, community or real-world connection, research potential, and ability to complete the fellowship requirements.
The selected fellow will be matched with a research mentor with relevant academic or professional experience. The mentor may help the fellow:
The mentor's role is to guide the student's thinking and writing process. The mentor does not write the project, collect data for the student, submit work on the student's behalf, or guarantee publication.
By the end of the fellowship, the selected fellow will complete a final public-facing environmental report based on their IYEC project. The final report may be published or featured on the IYEC website with the student's consent.
The student remains the author and owner of the work. Upon successful completion, the fellow will receive a certificate recognizing their participation in the IYEC Youth Environmental Research Fellowship.
To complete the fellowship, the fellow must submit two types of reports.
A final report based on the fellow's IYEC project. It should present the environmental issue, research question, background, evidence or method, findings, limitations, conclusion, and references.
The fellow must submit weekly progress reports and a final progress report documenting how the project developed throughout the fellowship. These may include draft updates, source notes, mentor feedback, revisions, challenges, and next steps.
Public sharing is a core part of the fellowship. After completing the program, the selected fellow will be featured in an IYEC Fellowship Spotlight on the IYEC website. The spotlight may include the fellow's name, country or region, project title, project summary, final report, externally shareable article, and a short student reflection.
IYEC will review the spotlight materials with the fellow before publication. If the fellow is under 18, parent or guardian consent may be required.
Application deadline: May 30, 2026 · Fellowship period: June 1 – September 30, 2026 · Website publication: October 15, 2026
Start your applicationQuestions? Email iyecteam@gmail.com