The Opposite of Loneliness Fellowship

Make a difference

Make a difference

The 2025 Opposite of Loneliness Fellowship is a grant awarded to a young person between the ages of 15-25 to support their vision with annual funding up to $5000.00 available to fertilize the power of the individual to make a difference. The fellowship recognizes, supports, and encourages young people’s power to manifest change through the choices they make.

So what does this mean? It’s simple. The Opposite of Loneliness fellowship serves to empower young people with a vision and a passion to ‘make a difference to this world’. Tell us about the change you want to make in the world and how you will do it in a brief proposal and a short video. 

How to Apply

The Fellowship has a two-step application process.

Preliminary applications : please submit the two required components here by June 25, 2025, 11:59PM EST.

  1. Describe in detail a project you propose for making a difference to the world (500 words max).

  2. Submit a short video of yourself talking about your vision, why this is important to you, and how the fellowship might support your intent (2 min max).

Full Application: If you are invited to submit a full application, the Committee will send you details directly. Beyond additional information on your project, you will be asked to submit two letters of reference and a proposed budget. 

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any additional questions, please contact fellowship@marinakeegan.com.

  • We seek various projects that aim to "make a difference in the world." We broadly define “making a difference” as participating in any sort of social activism including, but not limited to, work in the realms of politics, art, writing or other forms of communication and environmental action.

  • Some questions to consider are:

    • What do you propose to do? Why? How will this make a difference to the world? Who does this project serve? How will the funds support your vision ?

    • How do your past projects or experiences qualify you to undertake this project?

    • Preliminary Application Deadline: June 25, 2025, 11:59 PM EST.

    • Full Application Invites Sent Out: August 25, 2025. 

    • Full Applications Deadline: October 25, 2025, 11:59 PM EST.

    • Awardee Announced: December 2025.

  • You must be between 15 and 25 years old when you initially apply. If you turn 26 before the award is announced, you can still qualify as long as you were 25 when you first applied.

  • Yes. The Fellowship award is subject to taxation and the recipient will receive a 1099 for the tax year it was granted.