NextGen Scholarship
As a way to empower the next generation of divers, GUE has created the NextGen Scholarship to provide a year of training and other benefits to a deserving diver on their quest for excellence. If you're a certified diver who is passionate about pursuing further education, have an interest in exploration and conservation, and are ready for a year of new adventures, keep reading to learn more!
How it works
Through the generous donation of course spaces from GUE instructors, one year of tuition-free GUE training is made available to divers. These course spaces include the majority of GUE's curriculum, and with a generous travel budget, dedicated support from a NextGen Mentor, and a new set of gear from Halcyon, scholarship recipients are able to undertake GUE training in the locations and environments they're most passionate about. In exchange for this support, scholars will provide both written and video documentation of their year as a NextGen Scholar and take part in a NextGen presentation at the next GUE conference. In addition, the scholar will serve as an active member of the NextGen Legacy Project in conjunction with scholarship runners-up (see here).
Eligibility
To qualify for the 2026 NextGen Scholarship, you must*:- Be between the ages of 21 and 30
- Be certified as an Advanced Open Water diver (or equivalent)
- Have conducted a minimum of 20 dives
- Be medically fit for diving
- Be fluent in English
*GUE staff, GUE instructor candidates, and GUE instructors, in addition to employees of corporate sponsors and their families, are not eligible.
Application Requirements
Once the application window opens, eligible divers will need to submit:- A completed online scholarship application form, including 1,000-word essay
- A short “elevator speech” video (less than 2 minutes long) about your diving background, goals, and why you are a good candidate for the scholarship
- A character recommendation from an individual/community member in good standing (e.g., former employer, pastor/minister, college lecturer/professor, commanding officer, government official, GUE instructor, etc.)
Timeline
- APRIL 1: Online application opens
- JULY 1: Online application closes at 23:59 UTC -12:00
- EARLY SEPTEMBER: 2026 NextGen Scholar is notified and final eligibility is confirmed
- MID-SEPTEMBER: Unsuccessful candidates are notified, 2026 NextGen Scholar is announced
- MID-OCTOBER: Scholars and Trainees receive 1-1 initial mentorship from the Program Lead to ascertain eligibility for BlueGreen polar expeditions and training plans [Scholars], and specific support [Trainees]
- NOVEMBER 1: Scholarship year begins
Scholarship Benefits
- Free GUE training for one year
- A $2,000 USD travel budget
- $3,000 USD worth of diving equipment from Halcyon
- GUE Platinum level membership for two years
- Free registration for one GUE conference, including socials and field trips as well as a meet-and-greet with GUE leadership
- NextGen Scholarship Mentor (a senior GUE instructor)
- Support and advice from the growing community of past Scholars and Trainees in the NextGen Legacy Project
- Divers Alert Network (DAN) membership and diving accident insurance
- NextGen apparel and swag to wear during GUE events and training
- GoPro camera to document a year as a NextGen Scholar
- Polar expedition trip with BlueGreen Expeditions (subject to feasibility and experience pre-requisites)
Scholarship Deliverables
In addition to learning, during their year as a NextGen Scholar, recipients will:- Provide content for a NextGen Scholar profile on GUE.com
- Maintain an active social media presence, both online and in the NextGen Legacy Project (NGLP)
- Provide progress updates in the form of a blog linked to their Scholar profile page, and videos for the GUE Youtube channel (monthly or bi-monthly upon discussion)
- Respond to inquiries from the next round of Scholarship applicants
- Provide one blog for the InDepth magazine about their wider diving interests
- If applicable, provide a GUE.tv submission, and produce a deliverable of any medium with other NGLP Trainees / divers
- Write one QUEST journal article about their Scholarship experience
- Give a short presentation at the GUE conference
- Submit an end-of-scholarship report discussing their journey and what’s next, accounting for finances, and acknowledging GUE individuals that have helped
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