GLAAD's Rising Stars Grants Program is back for the second year in a row, and it's now available to anyone aged 18-30 dedicated to enhancing LGBTQ representation and advocacy within their communities and culture at large.
GLAAD annually offers $2,500 grants to support LGBTQ young people in their initiatives to support their communities and bring about social change. This year, they're also introducing a Spanish Language and Latinx Media Rising Stars Grant, awarded to a person working to build up Spanish-speaking and Latinx communities.
Recipients will attend the Rising Stars Luncheon and the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in either Los Angeles or New York City, including airfare and three-nights accommodations for the recipient and a guest. Last year's guests included Troye Sivan, Hannah Hart, Victoria Justice, Alex Newell, Gavin Grimm, and more!
Previous Rising Stars Grant recipients have been honored for their thoughtful work in eliminating stigma experienced by undocumented queer youth through social media campaigns, increasing diversity of performers on college campuses by funding transgender entertainers and speakers, or fostering conversation around diversity and inclusion in business through podcasts.
Applications open for submissions on February 26, 2018 and close March 27, 2018 at midnight PST. Applicants and recipients will be notified via email by March 26, 2018.
Read the requirements below, check out some of the previous recipients, and apply now!
To apply for a Rising Stars Grant, applicants must complete the form below and attach a short essay responding to the prompt below.
Short essay prompt (300-500 word response):
If awarded the GLAAD Rising Stars Grant, how would you incorporate LGBTQ media advocacy into your community?
How would you use this grant to create or improve a program in your community?
How and in what ways would you use the media to amplify your mission and increase your initiative’s impact?