Now Recruiting: Fresh Water Institute Fellows 2027

The Fresh Water Institute (FWI) Fellowship Program invites passionate 10th and 11th grade students from Cuyahoga County to apply. We're looking for curious minds from all backgrounds who care about the environment, want to make a difference, and are ready to lead.

What This Is

A January-to-June fellowship that gets students out on the water and into the work of protecting it. Fellows learn from diverse experts, build leadership skills, and earn a stipend through monthly Saturday sessions, evening check-ins, and a weeklong summer capstone.

Why It Matters

Lake Erie gives millions of people their drinking water, and the Cuyahoga River tells one of the most powerful environmental comeback stories in the country. The next chapter of that story needs young people who understand these waters, see themselves in environmental careers, and know how to speak up for their communities. FWI puts them in the room and on the shoreline.

What Fellows Get

  • Hands-on experiences on Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River
  • Learning from diverse experts
  • A stipend
  • Leadership skills that last
  • Breakfast and lunch at every session

Program Commitment

  • Monthly Saturday sessions, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM: January 23, February 13, March 6, April 10, and May 15, 2027
  • Evening Zoom meetings between sessions, with dates set around Fellows' schedules
  • Additional speakers and community events as available
  • Summer immersive learning and capstone project: June 7–11, 2027

Who Should Apply

  • Students currently in 10th or 11th grade
  • Living or attending school in Cuyahoga County
  • Curious, committed to environmental issues, and ready to lead

How to Apply

Event Details

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