2027 NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship: $20,000 Grant for Three Screenwriters | International Opportunity | Apply by 4 December 2026

Overview

The 2027 NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship is the sixth annual edition of an initiative designed to encourage compelling climate-related narratives in television and film. Supported by partners including The Black List, The Redford Center, NBCUniversal, and CAA Community + Impact, the programme forms part of the Natural Resources Defense Council Rewrite the Future initiative. The fellowship aims to improve how environmental solutions and climate change are represented in popular culture by helping writers explore human agency, hope, and practical environmental solutions rather than solely relying on apocalyptic or disaster narratives. Three selected writers will be awarded a financial grant along with mentorship, script development guidance, and opportunities to have their revised work reviewed by prominent studios, production companies, and agencies.

Who can apply

The fellowship is open internationally to screenwriters from any country who are at least 18 years old and legally adults in their jurisdiction of residence. Both represented and unrepresented writers are eligible to apply. Applicants must own the rights to their submitted work, and previously submitted scripts or adapted works may qualify provided the applicant holds the necessary permissions. Stage plays, musicals, novels, podcasts, games, VR or AR experiences, commercial campaign content, and scripts already in development are not eligible for consideration.

What you get

Three selected fellowship recipients will each receive a $20,000 grant to support the revision of their feature screenplay or television pilot. Additional benefits include professional feedback and guidance from an experienced screenwriter, mentorship from the NRDC Rewrite the Future programme, and access to NRDC experts who can advise on the specific climate issues addressed in the scripts. Fellows also receive a dedicated development consultation with a Climate Spring executive and six months to complete their screenplay revisions. Revised scripts may be considered by industry organizations such as Climate Spring, Creative Artists Agency, Hyperobject Industries, NBCUniversal, United Talent Agency, William Morris Endeavour, and Yellow Dot Studios. Selected writers retain full ownership and all rights to their scripts.

Requirements

Applicants must submit an original, completed feature film screenplay or television pilot teleplay written in English. Incomplete drafts are not accepted. The story must be meaningfully influenced by climate change or climate solutions, exploring themes such as the effects of climate change on families and communities, environmental justice, public health challenges, food security, extreme weather, pollution, renewable energy, green technology, activism, corporate accountability, or sustainable cities. Writers must also agree to the programme submission requirements and legal agreement.

How to apply

Submissions are accepted exclusively through The Black List website, and submissions sent via email will not be considered. Interested applicants must create a writer account on the platform, upload a completed feature screenplay or television pilot script, navigate to the programmes section of their dashboard, select the 2027 NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship, and submit the project along with a brief explanation of how the work engages with climate change. A maximum of 500 qualified scripts will be accepted for consideration. Eligible submissions approved by the NRDC team receive one free month of script hosting and one free script evaluation. Shortlisted applicants may be asked to provide a one-page personal statement, a professional résumé, and, for television pilots, a longer synopsis or treatment outlining main story arcs and the development of climate themes. Semifinalists may also be invited for a short interview.

Key dates

The deadline for submitting scripts is 4 December 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time. Three fellowship recipients will be selected by 30 April 2027.