Pope Francis Scholarship for Climate Justice

Empowering the Next Generation of Catholic Climate Leaders

The Pope Francis Scholarship for Climate Justice, provided by Catholic Climate Covenant, supports young leaders who are dedicated to advancing climate justice through faith, education, and action. Inspired by Laudato Si’ and Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home, this scholarship helps students continue their environmental leadership as they transition from high school to college.

Each year, one outstanding student who has participated in the Catholic Youth Climate Leadership (CYCL) Program will be awarded $5,000 to support their post-secondary education. The award may be renewed for up to four years, for a total of $20,000, provided the recipient continues their commitment to climate justice through their studies or community service.

Scholarship Purpose

The Pope Francis Scholarship for Climate Justice is designed to nurture and sustain the growing network of young Catholic climate advocates. The program aims to:

• Encourage ongoing leadership in climate action rooted in Catholic social teaching.
• Reduce financial barriers to higher education for students committed to climate justice.
• Empower youth to integrate ecological responsibility into their academic and community work.

This initiative is part of Catholic Climate Covenant’s broader mission to care for creation and uplift youth leadership in the Church’s response to the climate crisis

. Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

Participation: Be an alumnus of the Catholic Youth Climate Leadership (CYCL) Program (also known as the Youth Mobilization Program).

Graduation: Be graduating from high school in 2026 and entering a post-secondary institution for the 2026–2027 academic year.

Commitment: Demonstrate a continued commitment to climate justice through academic pursuits or community engagement.

Enrollment: Maintain full-time student status throughout the scholarship period.

Application Details

Application Currently Open

Application Deadline: January 30, 2026

Review Period: February 2026

Award Announcement: March 2, 2026

Applicants will be asked to share reflections on their climate leadership experience and provide the names of personal references. Recommendation letters are not required.

Apply here: Complete the Scholarship Application Form

Renewal Criteria

The scholarship is renewable annually for up to four years. To remain eligible, recipients must:

• Maintain full-time enrollment in an accredited post-secondary institution.
• Continue their involvement in climate justice through coursework, research, or community initiatives.
• Participate in brief annual check-ins with Catholic Climate Covenant staff to confirm eligibility.

Questions?

Please contact Diana Marin at
diana@catholicclimatecovenant.org