Generation Breakthrough

The Breakthrough Institute, founded by Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus of “The Death of Environmentalism” (pdf) fame, is creating a youth arm - Breakthrough Generation - for their new organization the Breakthrough Institute. As their founding project they are sponsoring 10 Fellowships of $5k each this summer and fall. The fellowships will be awarded to applicants who propose a project that meets three criteria:

• Clean Economy: does the proposed project accelerate the transition to
  a clean energy economy?
• Empowerment: does the project empower others, particularly young
  people, to advance progressive social change?
• Transformation: does the project’s local component have high
  potential to be replicable transformation?

Accepted Fellows will receive:

• $5,000 grant: The grant is meant to provide personal financial support to the Fellows for the pursuit of their summer or fall projects. If additional funds are necessary for project implementation, Fellows should be prepared to seek additional sources, with the support of the Breakthrough Institute;
• Spring summit:
  Date: April 18-20th, 2008
  Location: to be determined
  Travel and lodging expenses covered
• Summer conference:
  Date: June 15th – June 22nd, 2008
  Location: Breakthrough Institute, Oakland, California
  Travel and lodging expenses covered
• Fall summit:
  Date: to be determined
  Location: to be determined
  Travel and lodging expenses covered
• Readings and discussion program: To be conducted throughout the year with the Fellows, Breakthrough Institute Founders, Breakthrough Director, and other advisors and experts.

Applicants must be within 18 – 28 years of age, and the fairly detailed application is due on March 21st. To apply, send an email to info [at] thebreakthrough [dot] org.