Are you a young innovator passionate about addressing environmental problems in your local community and beyond?
Apply Now!
We are looking for 1000 Fellows for the next cohort, which kicks off in May 2025! Applications are now officially open through 12 January 2025. We are looking for ambitious, dedicated and passionate individuals, committed to building a sustainable future through eco-innovation. Start your beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship journey by launching your application below.
Who are we looking for?
Passionate and driven individuals between the ages of 16-28, who want to address an environmental problem and come from one of the participating countries. Applicants should have a good oral and written command of English. As a participant, you’ll embark on a multi-year Fellowship journey, starting with a 12-month intensive, fully-funded program that equips you with the skills, resources and connections to bring an eco-innovation idea to reality. You receive award-winning innovation training through online modules, community-based Local Hub gatherings, a Regional Summit, regular access to venture coaches, 1:1 mentoring, and expert and peer support to help you achieve your environmental leadership and project goals. At the end of the first year, you will be able to access project scholarships to advance your project’s development.
Years 2 and 3 of our fellowship programming expand on the first 12 months through tailored support based on your project stage. If your project stage is advanced enough in year 2, you can access our Pioneer Launchpad, a program that equips you for greater venture independence; if you are still refining your project, you can access online and in-person venture learning, leadership development, and network building opportunities. At the end of the second year, fellows at the appropriate stage have another opportunity to access project scholarships and join the Pioneer Launchpad. Those who have already completed the Launchpad are exposed to new opportunities to continue building their projects and planet-positive work.
What does the application consist of?
The application process helps us identify the ambitious, inventive, and resourceful young people who are ready to make a real difference. It’s a competitive selection, and through your application, we want to understand your potential and how we can support you in making the most of the Fellowship. There are three sections to the application which takes approximately 30-40 minutes to complete.
1- The first section is the written application and requires;
- a) Basic information about yourself and contact information
- b) Your passion and idea for the environmental challenge you want to tackle
- c) Your learning and financial needs
- d) Self-Assessment Test
- e) A scanned copy of your passport or national ID card
2- The second section is where you record yourself on video;
Via our application platform, you will record a three-minute-long interview about the environmental challenge you are passionate about and your idea to address it. We will not consider applications without a recorded interview video.
3- The final section is an application for Financial Support, which is optional and only for those who request financial assistance to participate in the fellowship. If you choose to apply for financial support, we need to confirm that you are eligible. Therefore, we ask you to provide the following:
a) Testimonial Form – Find someone who can confirm your personal living situation. This person must be employed and cannot be a family member.
b) Bank Transactions/Statement or Income Declaration Form – You’ll need to provide proof of your income. You can either upload recent bank transaction records showing your last three months of monthly income or, if that is not possible, you can fill out the Income Declaration Form provided in the application.
What is beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship?
Designed and implemented by The DO School Fellowships and funded by Mercedes-Benz, beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship launched in 2023 to equip thousands of young people around the world with the tools and resources to implement environmental projects for a sustainable planet. In its first year, we launched with over 100 Fellows, our second cohort expanded to 500 Fellows in 2024 and we are now expanding to include 1000 young eco-entrepreneurs across Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America for the 2025 cohort.
Regardless of your background, this Fellowship provides you with the training, mentoring, and funding necessary to bring your planet-positive idea to life.
Learn more about beVisioneers here
