2026 YCLC Cohort

About the Young Climate Leaders of Color Program

People’s Climate Innovation Center’s Young Climate Leaders of Color (YCLC) program supports the next generation of climate leaders through radical transformation. We recognize that there are many entry points for catalyzing change within our movement ecosystem, and we value all approaches to change, from music and the arts to the power of culture, community organizing, radical policy advocacy, restorative and healing connections to the Earth, liberation, and many others.

YCLC is mobilizing a national network of young leaders of color who are learning, growing, and advancing climate justice work in their communities. YCLC seeks to immerse youth in climate justice, the arts, story-based advocacy, cultural strategy, targeted direct action, community organizing, transformative change, ecological principles, and leadership development, working alongside amazing strategists, leaders, and political activists nationwide. YCLC participants will have the space to shape their projects into what they envision and what they believe best serves them and their communities.

This opportunity is available for a cohort of up to 40 young people, each of whom will receive a stipend of $5,000 to participate in the year-long YCLC program. These funds will support the cohort members for their time and may be used for direct implementation of a project if they choose. Young people in the cohort will have opportunities  for mentoring, project support, monthly training/learning calls, connecting with a national network of peers, and much more!

Funding Opportunity

Funding is available for new projects or already-in-motion initiatives that need additional support and may cover training, classes, workshops, certifications, education costs, the purchase of tools and equipment, etc. Projects must be completed in a community or group setting. Projects must align with a community-driven approach that centers on the needs, impact, and solutions for and in the community.  All awards will be considered based on the merit of each application. Fund recipients will be selected following a panel application review and (if needed) an interview process. We welcome previous applicants and alumni of our sibling program, Young Black Climate Leaders, who have applied in the past to re-apply if interested. The exception to this is if you are a part of the current YBCL or YCLC cohort. Current YCLC cohort members are not eligible to apply as core programming will be standard for each incoming cohort training. 

Application criteria

Applicants must:

1. Identify as Black, African, Afro-Latinx, and/or part of the Afro-Indigenous diaspora, Indigenous, AAPI  (Asian American and Pacific Islander), Latine, SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa), and/or as a Person of Color.
2. Be based and implement their project in one of the following places: the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
3. Be 18-28 years old (OK to turn 18 by January 1, 2026, or turn 29 in 2026).
4. Be available to complete a Zoom interview (if needed). Interviews will be scheduled between September 10 to 19, 2025.

 To receive funding, you must commit to:

1. Signing an award agreement and providing a scholarship reflection at the conclusion of your project term. (Reflections can be videos, songs, blogs, photojournalism, zines, art, or interviews).
2. Completing all surveys and evaluations. 
3. Attending at least eight virtual monthly learning calls/training (up to three (3) hours/month).
4. Attending the YCLC virtual welcome/orientation session on Thur January 22, 2026. 
5. Attending a 3 - 4 day in-person gathering  between Feb 2, 2026 and Feb 6, 2026 (Travel expenses will be covered, and safety protocols for COVID in place, including masks, daily tests, and hand sanitizer. All event participants (including staff) must test and report any positive results to staff).
6. Making a one-year commitment to complete the program from January 2026 to December 2026.

Timeline - Program applications will be accepted from Tue Jul 1, 2025 to Thur Jul 31, 2025  11:59 Pacific. 

• Interviews will be held from Sept 10 - Sept 19, 2025. (Note that we only interview folks for further clarification so not everyone accepted into the program will be interviewed)
• Decisions will be announced by October 15, 2025.
• Virtual Orientation will be Thur January 22, 2026.
• In-person convening will be the week of Feb 2, 2026 to Feb 6, 2026. 
• Fund disbursed mid January to mid February 2026.

Please let us know if you need any special accommodations to submit an application.

Please refer to our FAQs before directing questions to yclc@climateinnovation.net