776 Fellowship

The 776 Fellowship Program is a two-year program for young people who want to build a better future.

776 Fellows receive a $100,000 grant and support from the Seven Seven Six network.

Goals of the Fellowship Program
🌎 Invest in young people tackling climate change

Some of our best minds around the world aren’t able to take two years off to focus on solving the greatest threat to humanity: climate change.

We’re equipping some of the most driven future leaders with the capital and support needed to fully immerse themselves in what could be the next world-saving idea.

✨ Scale the impact of 776

The team at 776 is tasked with backing exceptional founders as early as possible in their journey, giving potential founders the space and time (and money) to build something great.

đź’Ş Enrich our community with the next generation of talent

This program will deeply challenge our Fellows to think critically and creatively and will turnout the next generation of great founders and operators. This Fellowship program can be the springboard for unlimited opportunities because it’s reaching so deep into a pool of talented individuals before their careers have even started.

Program Mission & Vision

There are some big ideas that can’t wait—especially when it comes to climate change—and 776 wants to support problem-solvers at the earliest possible stage. The Fellowship Program gives 20 remarkable people the age of 24 and under the chance to spend two years working on the bright idea that’s keeping them up at night. They’ll benefit from a community of peers and access to the extended 776 network through Cerebro (our firm’s operating system).

Selection Process

March25th

Application opens

April22nd

Application closes

May15th

Finalists announced

May24th

Fellows selected

June17th

Fellowship begins!

Fellow Qualifications
We're searching for the builders, the doers — people motivated by problems and using that energy to create real, measurable solutions that will benefit underserved communities. We want our fellows to wake up every morning feeling excited and inspired by the project they’re working on.
This fellowship IS:
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Skipping or dropping out of university to focus exclusively on a project, idea, or initiative full-time that is working toward solving the climate change crisis.

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Fellows must be ages 18 to 24 and can live anywhere in the world.

This fellowship IS NOT:
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A paid vacation

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A networking program; your job as a fellow is to ship

FAQ

What is the Fellowship?

The 776 Fellowship is a two-year, full-time program for 18 - 24 year olds, across the world. Fellows will receive a $100,000 grant over two years to work on projects to fight climate change instead of pursuing a university degree.

When you say access to the 776 network, what does that mean?

776 Fellows will have access to founder networks, various programming, and access to Cerebro (our venture fund's operating system).

What kind of ideas is the fellowship looking for?

We are looking for a wide range of ideas, as climate change is a technological, social, and political issue.

Do I need a team to apply?

No, if you're working on a great idea or project, we're interested in hearing from you, however, if you already have a partner/co-founder, you can apply together.

Do I need to be US based?

No, the Fellowship is open to international applicants. We will be selecting applicants through a final remote interview.

What do I spend the money from the grant on?

Whatever you need to bring your idea to life over the next 2 years. If you need to be told exactly how to spend this money, this Fellowship likely isn't for you.

If I have a 501(c)(3) can I still apply?

Yes and alternatively if you're currently working on a project with a 501(c)(3) you can apply as well.

Can I apply to the Fellowship if I'm still in school?

This is a full-time program, so we're looking for applicants who are not currently enrolled in school or want to take two years away from school to focus on their project, company or idea. You can still be enrolled when you apply, but we'd expect you to drop out if you get accepted.

How many Fellows do you select per cohort?

Twenty.

How does the grant work?

Once you are accepted, we'll begin onboarding you with the rest of your cohort. Every quarter you'll receive part of your $100K payment.

When does the Cohort Start?

Our 3rd Cohort will be selected May 2024, with a start date of June 2024.

Team
team-member
Lissie Garvin
776 Foundation and Fellowship Program Director
team-member
Alexis Ohanian
President & Founder

A Letter from our Director

A Year in Review:

The discourse on climate change is indisputably one of the most critical conversations of our time. The younger generation, who stand to inherit the earth and its challenges, has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to engaging in this discourse. In light of this, the 776 Foundation launched the Climate Fellowship as an ambitious experiment: could we unite young climate tech-founders, climate activists and scientists from every corner of the globe in a singular, inclusive program to catalyze impactful change?

A year has passed, and it's incredible to see how far the fellows have come in our first cohort, whether it's raising venture rounds from top tier investors or having experiments scientifically published. Looking back, it's evident our Climate Fellowship is something special - it's not every day you find such a unique mix of young scientists, startup founders, and activists all working towards one common goal. We've created a powerful blend of knowledge, innovation, and passion, setting a new standard for what youth-led climate action can look like. And that, in itself, is something pretty amazing.

The inception of the 776 Foundation Climate Fellowship illuminated a previously unseen gap in the climate action landscape. Our initiative – giving 18 - 24 year old climate leaders $100K grants over two years to transform their ideas into tangible actions – was a concept that truly resonated. Once introduced, top philanthropists, leading climate tech investors, and most importantly, the climate leaders themselves, recognized the missing link it filled. Their overwhelming response and enthusiasm were both humbling and rewarding, underlining the fellowship's importance and potential. This demonstrated that our approach not only addressed a vital need, but also sparked a realization: investing in the youth’s fight against climate change is indeed an investment in the future of our planet.

Navigating through the first year of the fellowship, we've had the privilege of witnessing first-hand the pioneering work of our climate tech founders. Their wide-ranging initiatives - from Roya Amini-Naieni’s company, Trilobio, who are revolutionizing synthetic biology through the creation of automated robotic labs, enhancing data quality and reproducibility to Sasankh Munukutla’s company, which is developing satellite and AI-based systems for gigaton scale soil carbon sequestration verification - have underscored what we already knew: climate tech will be a game-changer in our battle against climate change. The incredible strides they've made in just a year showcase the huge potential that lies in the intersection of technology and climate action. This fellowship is not just a platform for these young entrepreneurs to flourish, but also a testament to the powerful role of climate tech in shaping our sustainable future. As we move into the second year, we look forward to continuing to spotlight their achievements and impressive work.

As for the youth climate activists, their passionate advocacy brought the human element to the fore, reminding us that climate change isn't just a scientific or economic problem - it's a humanitarian crisis. Their powerful narratives and relentless spirit inspired their peers, reinforcing the importance of grassroots activism in driving policy changes and community engagement. Their inclusion in our fellowship underscored the importance of coupling scientific innovation and entrepreneurship with the heart and voice of activism.

Our first year has been a journey of discovery, of learning, and most importantly, of hope. It has affirmed our belief that young people, given the right platform and resources, can indeed lead the way in the fight against climate change. The 776 Foundation Climate Fellowship, therefore, stands as a testament to the power of youthful energy and the potential for global collaboration in the face of our planet's most critical challenge.

Empowering Today's Youth for Tomorrow's World

Fellowship Director's signatureLissie Garvin, 776 Foundation & Fellowship Director

Submit your email we'll notify you when applications open for our 2025 Cohort!

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2024 Applications
2024 Applications are now closed. Check back in March 2025 for our 2025 Application.

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