Brower Youth Award

Earth Island Institute established the Brower Youth Awards for Environmental Leadership in 2000. We recognize the outstanding leadership efforts of young people with this annual, prestigious award.

Eligibility

Youth environmental change leaders ages 13 to 22 (as of the application deadline) living in North America (including Mexico, Canada, and U.S. territories) are encouraged to apply. Our application deadline for submission is March 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. The link to the application is available online.

Award Details

Recipients receive a $3,000 cash prize, a short film co-produced about their work, a trip to participate in leadership development activities, a flight, meals, and lodging accommodations.

Post event, Brower Youth Award winners join a wide network of over a hundred youth leaders across the world making a difference globally.

Application Process

All applications must be completed and submitted online. Please notify us well in advance of the deadline if you foresee any problems with submitting an online application.

You must complete your own application. Parents, friends, mentors, and teachers cannot complete it for you.

Need help or have questions on your application? Email us at bya@earthisland.org. Applications submitted after the deadline due to technical issues will not be accepted.

In addition to meeting award eligibility requirements and following all instructions to complete the online application, each applicant must submit:

• a photograph of yourself
• if you are a semifinalist, you will be asked for a letter of support from someone who is familiar with you and your environmental work (cannot be from a parent or guardian)

Please contact us well in advance of the deadline for support with the submission of your application or clarifying questions by emailing bya@earthisland.org. Applications submitted after the deadline due to technical issues will not be accepted.

We review all applications and a panel of judges vets all semi-finalists. If you are selected as a semi-finalist, we will request a video call with you, along with the letter of support from your recommender. All Brower Youth Award applicants will be notified of their status.