Blue Generation is an early career program designed for young professionals with experience in ocean or ocean-adjacent fields. Taking place at The Explorers Club Headquarters in New York City during our annual World Oceans Week, the four-day program includes peer-to-peer learning, networking events, a field trip in NYC, and lectures from established scientists, explorers, and artists.

Our goal is to unite and inspire a group of early career ocean stewards each year to lead the next cohort of change-makers, champions, and advocates for the ocean. We encourage any early career professional, defined by the UN Ocean Decade ECOP Programme as within the first 10 years of an ocean-based career, to apply.

If you have any questions, please contact program coordinators Christina Janulis at cjanulis@explorers.org, Jane Vinesky at janevinesky@gmail.com, and Grace Cordsen at ngen@explorers.org.

Instructions & Policies
Please read all of the information below carefully before starting your application.

Qualifications
Prior experience in the ocean space or ocean-adjacent fields is preferred to participate in this program. Examples of “ocean-adjacent fields” can be intersections between oceans and policy, law, economics, engineering, construction, art, culinary studies, and more. We encourage any early career professional, defined by the UN Ocean Decade ECOP Programme as within the first 10 years of an ocean-based career, to apply. You must be able to commit to all-day scheduled programming Sunday, May 31st – Wednesday, June 3rd in NYC.

Personal responsibility
This program takes place in New York City, and participants are expected to navigate the city independently. This includes using public transportation (such as the subway), arranging their own meals when not provided by the program, and traveling to and from program locations on their own. While we will provide guidance and resources, applicants should feel comfortable handling these aspects of city life.

Language requirement
While The Explorers Club will be hosting separate World Oceans Week programming that may be delivered in multiple languages, the core aspects of our Blue Generation program will be conducted in English. Participants should be comfortable communicating in English, as discussions, workshops, and key program materials will be in English. If you have any concerns about language accessibility, please feel free to reach out to us.

Use of Artificial Intelligence
In order to evaluate applications on a level playing field, we require that you refrain from using AI to complete your statement of interest. We would like to hear everyone’s authentic voice. If you use AI to prepare your application, including gathering information for your video essay, please disclose that in the additional information section at the end of the application and include the prompt you used.

Funding
There is no fee to participate in Blue Generation, though you will need to finance your own travel and accommodations in NYC for the duration of the program. The Explorers Club staff will provide tea, coffee and snacks during morning programming as well as some additional meals. Past participants have secured funding independently from foundations or organizations in their professional networks. There may be very limited funding for select individuals through World Oceans Week sponsorship.

Submission
Only a complete application is eligible for review; applications will be reviewed and decisions made by the program coordinators on a rolling basis.

APPLICATION