The Nature Culture Fellowship (NCF) 2027 by Kinship is an online programme for 60 fellows aged 18 and over from anywhere in the world, running from February to August 2027. Fellows join a weekly Learning Journey and then deliver a community project backed by mentoring and a micro-grant of $1,000-2,000; applications close on 1 December 2026 at 23:59 UTC. At Youth Works Hub, we went through Kinship's official programme page and its FAQ document and set out the key details below.
What the Nature Culture Fellowship Is
🌱 Idea: a global community of change-makers explores how storytelling, artivism and culture can drive social and environmental change and transform systems
🏢 Organiser: Kinship, delivered with partners including Artivist Network, Bow Seat, Ecoversities, FutureFaith, Global Diversity Foundation, Global Tapestry of Alternatives, IUCN CEESP, Living Indigenous Wisdom, Young Professionals for Agricultural Development, Youth4Nature, Climate Futures Studio and Iris Project
👥 Size: a community of 60 fellows from around the world
💻 Format: fully online, in two phases, a Learning Journey and a Project Implementation phase
🆓 Cost: free to participate; the fellowship is unpaid, with funding available for community projects
Key Dates
📬 Applications open: 26 October 2026
⏳ Applications close: 1 December 2026, 23:59 UTC
📢 Selected fellows notified: mid January 2027
🎓 Learning Journey begins: 5 February 2027
🛠️ Community projects begin: April 2027, with delivery running to August 2027
Phase One: The Learning Journey
The Learning Journey is a series of 10 online sessions, held weekly from 5 February 2027 at 14:00 UTC and continuing until April 2027. The sessions are held between 14:00 and 16:00 UTC, with the time to be confirmed with selected fellows.
🎧 Deep listening: participants practise deep listening, analysis and creative practices
🕯️ Ceremony and grief work: the sessions include ceremony and grief work to address systemic challenges and our separation from nature and from one another
🗣️ Thought leaders: guides in storytelling, systems thinking, art, and environmental and social activism help fellows explore culture change
📝 Homework: 10-30 minutes of homework per session
Topics You Will Explore
📚 Inherited stories: how the stories we have inherited and the stories we tell shape our relationships with the living world
⚖️ Systems of oppression: examining the systems behind today's socio-ecological crises
🖌️ Art as activism: the power of art to change behaviour and culture
🌳 Nature connection: rebuilding reciprocal relationships with the living world
🔭 New futures: imagining and designing different futures
Phase Two: Project Implementation
From April to August 2027, selected fellows deliver a community project. The timeline may shift depending on the project scope and local realities.
🧩 Project work: examining mechanisms of culture change, finding your spheres of influence and identifying where you can create real impact
🎯 Design and strategy: programme strategy, case studies and project design
🧑🏫 Mentorship: professional mentorship while you expand your work, your organisation or a new grassroots project
🔬 Research: research and implementation of the project
Funding and Time Commitment
🎁 Micro-grants: selected fellows receive micro-grants of $1,000-2,000 USD for their projects, and the FAQ states funding of up to $2,000 per community project
✅ Condition: the micro-grant requires attendance at 80% of the live sessions
⏱️ Time commitment: a minimum of 6 months at about 3-5 hours per week
📆 Breakdown: a 2-3 month Learning Journey with 10 weekly sessions, then a community project of 3-6+ months with mentors
🚫 No stipend: the fellowship itself is unpaid
Who Can Apply
🎂 Age: 18 and over, with no upper limit
🌍 Origin: people from diverse geographies, cultures and ecosystems around the world; no country restriction is stated
🌱 Encouraged to apply: Indigenous People and people from Local and Frontline Communities
🎨 Interests: artists, storytellers, scientists, educators, community organisers, systems thinkers, researchers, activists and people from social and ecological fields
💡 The profile: rooted in community, self-motivated and committed, open to unlearning, a connector, creative, collaborative, a story-weaver and future-oriented
Accessibility and Language
💻 Equipment: you need a computer or phone with stable internet to attend sessions and complete homework
🇬🇧 Language: the programme is conducted in English
🌐 Translation: French, Spanish and Portuguese translation is available for the 10 Learning Journey sessions
📝 Application forms: the application form is offered in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French
How to Apply
📋 Step 1: complete the online application form; for general background on what a fellowship involves, see our guide what a fellowship is
📢 Step 2: wait for the notification of selected fellows in mid January 2027
🎓 Step 3: start the Learning Journey on 5 February 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Nature Culture Fellowship 2027?
Anyone aged 18 or over from anywhere in the world can apply, and there is no upper age limit. Indigenous People and people from Local and Frontline Communities are encouraged to apply.
Does the fellowship pay a salary?
No, participation is free and the fellowship is unpaid. Selected fellows can receive a micro-grant of $1,000-2,000 for their community project.
What is the time commitment?
Plan for at least 6 months at about 3-5 hours per week: 10 weekly Learning Journey sessions with short homework, then a community project of 3-6+ months with mentors.
What is the application deadline?
Applications close on 1 December 2026 at 23:59 UTC, and selected fellows are notified in mid January 2027. You can find similar programmes in the Fellowships section on Youth Works Hub.
Deadline
⏳ 01 December 2026
Links
🔗 Application form (English): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5se7fPK5R4cYPcvYyJF7Zds5TF_EAeIEjxP7L8yaSI_ZOSA/viewform
🌱 Programme page: https://www.kinship.earth/nature-culture-fellowship
❓ Official FAQ: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XSFNBPk-Uod_9nFWNLh2Hp7yswy3ZgThtv0zrHTQRbE/edit
