Get Up to $100,000 for Bold Ideas: O Shaughnessy Fellowships and Grants 2026

If you have a project that makes people stop and pay attention — an idea that sits somewhere between rigorous research, imaginative art, and useful invention — the O Shaughnessy Fellowships & Grants could be the fuel you need. This program hands serious, unconditional support to individuals (not organizations) working on projects that matter: $100,000 fellowships for ambitious work and $10,000 grants for smaller but high-potential efforts. Whether you are a scientist turning a curious observation into a lab program, an artist making a new form of storytelling, or a builder designing practical solutions for people who need them, this is aimed at those who want to push boundaries and get real, time-and-money space to do it.

The program is intentionally broad. Past awardees include people engineering synthetic biological systems, reviving endangered languages, designing practical prosthetic hands, making films that bend genre rules, and even experimenting with storing information in plants. The jury is not looking for a single mold. They want distinct, well-argued projects that demonstrate ambition, craft, and the potential to produce something novel or valuable within a meaningful timeframe.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know: who should apply, what to include, how the selection works, and tactical advice that increases your chances of being noticed. Read it like a coach giving you a plan — then start writing.

At a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers

Put bluntly: time and independence. The fellowship money is unconditional — it’s meant to let you pursue work without being micromanaged by grant conditions. With $100,000, you can hire collaborators, rent workspace, buy specialized materials, or carve out months of focused time. The $10,000 grants serve as a jumpstart for projects that need a boost to reach a clear milestone.

Beyond cash, the program sells access. Fellows and grantees gain conversations with the OSV team and a network of peers and advisors selected to push projects forward. These conversations are part practical coaching, part stress-test: you’ll be asked to explain how the project will progress, what obstacles exist, and how you’ll measure success. That feedback often proves as valuable as the funds themselves.

Another benefit: the portfolio effect. OSV highlights a wildly eclectic set of past projects, and being part of that cohort signals that your work can speak across disciplines. If your project sits at the intersection of art and engineering, or anthropology and software, this program will appreciate — and amplify — that hybridity. Finally, there’s visibility. OSV tends to share stories from its fellows and grantees, which can attract collaborators, press, or follow-on funding.

Who Should Apply

This program is for doers with a track record or a vivid proof-of-concept — people who can show that their idea isn’t just a thought experiment but something that can be made real. You do not need to be an academic or a tenured researcher; applicants range from independent artists to lab scientists, from social entrepreneurs to filmmakers.

Examples of good fits:

• An early-career bioengineer who has preliminary bench results showing a novel method for repairing tissue and needs concentrated funds to do proof-of-concept experiments.
• A language activist documenting a community language with initial recordings and a plan to produce learning materials and cultural documentation.
• A designer-maker prototyping low-cost prosthetics and ready to test devices with end-users.
• A filmmaker crafting a feature that mixes documentary testimony with speculative sequences that require modest production funds.

The key is clarity: show what you have completed so far, what the next six to twelve months will achieve, and why the money will change the project’s trajectory. The program favors individual-led efforts. If you’re part of a team, make sure the application clarifies individual roles and responsibilities.

If you’re based in Africa or working on projects that center African communities, your geographic context can be an advantage — OSV’s tag shows they pay attention to diverse global practice. But the awards are open worldwide. You must be at least 18 years old.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

Treat the application like a short persuasive conversation. You want the reviewer to understand the idea, feel confident you can execute it, and be excited to meet you. Here are seven focused, practical tactics:

1. Start with a tight project summary. In one paragraph, say what you will do, why it matters, and what success will look like in 12 months. This is the elevator pitch the reviewers will read first—make every word count.

2. Show movement, not just plans. If you already have a prototype, recordings, pilot data, or an audience, display it. Small evidence — a short video clip, a dataset summary, photos of a prototype — proves you’re not only dreaming.

3. Be specific about outcomes. Don’t say “we will raise awareness.” Say “we will produce a 20-minute film completed by month 9 and screened at X festivals, plus an outreach package for two partner organizations.” Concrete deliverables let reviewers imagine the follow-through.

4. Make your budget believable. Break down major costs and explain why they are necessary. If you request $100,000, show how that pays for time, materials, and a modest stipend. A realistic, transparent budget signals you can manage funding responsibly.

5. Tell the review panel why you. What special skills, relationships, or lived experience make you the person to carry this out? If you lack one piece of expertise, explain how you’ll partner or hire. Confidence with humility goes far.

6. Practice the phone conversation. Stage 2 includes calls where you have to think out loud. Practice explaining your project in 3 minutes and answering questions about risks, timelines, and what you’ll do if Plan A fails. Show curiosity and adaptability.

7. Use plain language. Expect reviewers from varied backgrounds. Avoid heavy jargon and define technical terms only when necessary. If your work is novel, treat the summary as a story that a smart non-specialist could follow.

Apply early. Because the program performs rolling review, early applicants often get decisions faster and may receive more thoughtful feedback during phone calls. If you’re unsure about something in the form, submit and then clarify it during follow-up conversations rather than trying to perfect every line in isolation.

Application Timeline (Realistic, Workable)

Think in reverse from April 30, 2026, and give yourself buffer time for technical hiccups.

• 8–10 weeks before deadline (late February): Clarify your single-paragraph summary and sketch a draft budget. Identify any collaborators and request a short CV or bio from them.
• 6 weeks before deadline (early March): Assemble supporting materials — two-page project description, links to evidence (video, prototypes, datasets), and a concise work plan with milestones.
• 4 weeks before deadline (early April): Share a full draft with 2–3 trusted readers, ideally one from inside your field and one who is not. Incorporate feedback, especially on clarity and feasibility.
• 2 weeks before deadline (mid-April): Final edits and budget check. Confirm all links and file formats. Submit at least 48–72 hours early to allow for portal problems.
• After submission: Expect a rolling response within 30 days. If shortlisted, you’ll get a call between February 1 and May 30; be prepared to explain and respond in realtime. Final decisions are announced by June 1, 2026.

If you’re shortlisted, use the time before the call to rehearse. Have a two-minute synopsis ready, one paragraph about impact, and a short list of three risks and mitigations.

Required Materials

The application form is the primary entry point, but most successful candidates include a compact portfolio of supporting documents. Prepare these items in advance:

• Project description (1–3 pages): Tell the story, the method, the timeline, and the deliverables. Use headings and short paragraphs for readability.
• Budget summary (1 page): Line items for personnel, materials, travel, and any subcontractors. Note if institutional overhead applies.
• CV or short bio (1–2 pages): Focus on relevant work, achievements, and previous projects that show you can complete this proposal.
• Work samples or evidence: Up to a few links or files — videos, images, published papers, prototypes, sound clips. Label each briefly so reviewers know what to look for.
• Contact information for references or collaborators: If you rely on a partner organization for logistics or access, include a short letter or statement of support.

Organize files with clear names (e.g., Lastname_ProjectDescription.pdf). If you include video, host it on a stable service and include timestamps for the most relevant clips. Avoid sending huge raw files in the initial application; use links and compressed files instead.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

Selection favors applications that combine originality with credibility. Here are the qualities that consistently catch reviewers’ attention:

• Clear, testable milestones: Reviewers like to see what you will complete and how they’ll know it worked. Milestones make your plan feel executable.
• Compelling evidence of progress: Even modest prototypes or pilot data demonstrate commitment and reduce perceived risk.
• A convincing personal story: Why are you the person to do this? Relevant experience or deep engagement with the problem gives confidence.
• Thoughtful risk assessment: Acknowledging the hard parts and outlining backups—technical, logistical, or ethical—shows you’ve thought like a practitioner.
• Community or audience orientation: Projects that include a plan for dissemination, engagement, or tangible benefit to a particular group often score higher.
• Cross-disciplinary reach: Projects that connect seemingly disparate fields in a plausible way stand out because they often produce surprising results.

Remember: the reviewers are not only funding ideas; they’re funding people. Project clarity and personal credibility together make a persuasive case.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Several recurring pitfalls sink otherwise promising applications. Be mindful of these and how to fix them.

• Vagueness about outcomes. Fix: Replace phrases like “raise awareness” with measurable outcomes and deliverables.
• Overly ambitious timelines. Fix: Break the work into realistic phases and show that you can achieve an initial, meaningful outcome within the grant period.
• Under-budgeting or mysterious line items. Fix: Provide line-by-line justifications and show you’ve priced things. If you assume volunteer labor, explain why that’s sustainable.
• Ignoring ethical or community concerns. Fix: If your work involves people or sensitive data, explain consent, privacy, and how you will mitigate harms.
• Submitting at the last minute. Fix: Submit early to avoid tech issues and to indicate professional preparation.
• Relying on jargon. Fix: Have a non-specialist read your project summary and edit until it’s clear.

Avoid defensive language. If a risky technique is central to your project, present the risk honestly and then show specific contingency plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who can apply? A: Individuals aged 18 or older from anywhere in the world. The program targets individuals rather than institutions, and it seeks projects with a clear personal lead.

Q: Is institutional affiliation required? A: No. You can apply as an independent researcher, artist, or maker. If you do have institutional support (lab space, production partner), include that as evidence of feasibility.

Q: Can I apply for funding for team salaries? A: Yes. Fellows often budget for collaborators or stipends. Just explain roles, time commitments, and why each person is necessary.

Q: What is the review timeline? A: Rolling review occurs through April 30 for Stage 1, with shortlisted candidates interviewed through May 30. Final decisions are typically announced by June 1, 2026.

Q: Are resubmissions allowed? A: The program runs annually. If you aren’t selected, use reviewer feedback and reapply in a future cycle with a strengthened proposal.

Q: Will I receive feedback if I’m not funded? A: Many applicants receive summary notes. Use those to refine the project before reapplying.

Q: Do fellowships require reporting? A: Expect to share progress updates or final reflections. The program values documentation and stories that explain what was learned and produced.

Q: Can projects that are activist in nature apply? A: Yes, as long as the project is aimed at producing constructive, demonstrable outcomes and you can show a plan for implementation and impact.

How to Apply

Ready to take the next step? Don’t let perfectionism stall you. Write a one-paragraph summary first, then fill the form. Because the program uses rolling review, applying early improves the chance you’ll get a prompt response and meaningful engagement during the shortlisting calls.

Practical steps:

1. Draft a single-paragraph project summary (150 words) that states the problem, your approach, and the 12-month outcome.
2. Prepare a 1–3 page project description and a simple budget.
3. Gather work samples and short bios for you and any key collaborators.
4. Submit the application at the official form link below.
5. If shortlisted, be ready for a phone conversation where clarity, curiosity, and flexibility matter.

Ready to apply? Visit the official opportunity page and submit your materials here: https://forms.osv.llc/fellowships2026

If you’re serious about this, schedule time this week to sketch your paragraph — it’s the engine of your application. Take it seriously; craft it like a story that shows you not only have a bright idea, but you also know how to bring it into the world. Good luck — and remember, the projects that stand out are the ones that show both heart and craft.