2026 New Mexico Youth Climate Summit
Application Process
The New Mexico Youth Climate Summit is a gathering for young leaders passionate about climate action, environmental justice, and sustainability. This summit will provide opportunities for learning, networking, and strategizing climate solutions for our communities. Youth from across New Mexico are encouraged to join us.
Eligibility
- Open to high school students (graduating 8-12 grades) residing in New Mexico.
- Applicants must be interested in climate justice, environmental advocacy, or sustainability.
- No prior experience is required, but active engagement in climate or community initiatives is a plus.
- Art submissions must be received by May 15, 2026 for consideration for the scholarship award. Art scholarship entry is not required for attendance to the summit event. Attendance at the Youth Climate Summit is required for the scholarship award.
Application Process
Step 1: Online Application Form
Applicants, please complete this online application form as soon as possible. Summit attendees will be accepted on a rolling basis, as space is available; the art submission deadline is May 15. The application form includes:
- Basic Information
- Short Answer Questions
- Optional Creative Submission (Chance to Win $500 Scholarship) Submit a creative piece that showcases your vision for climate justice. This could be a zine, video essay, poem, artwork, short story, or other creative format. How does your piece reflect the environmental challenges and solutions you envision? The winner will receive a $500 scholarship to support their project or advocacy efforts. and solutions you envision? The winner will receive a $500 scholarship to support their project or advocacy efforts
Creative Submission Guidelines
ParParticipants opting to submit a creative piece should follow these guidelines:
- Format Options:
- Zine: A digital or physical zine (maximum 8 pages) that tells a story about climate justice through art, writing, or collage.
- Video Essay: A 3-7 minute video explaining an environmental challenge and your proposed solution.
- Poetry or Short Story: Up to 1,000 words, capturing themes of climate justice and community resilience.
- Artwork: Any visual medium (painting, digital art, photography, etc.), accompanied by a short explanation (200-300 words) of its message.
- Other Formats: If you have an innovative idea, describe how it connects to climate justice and why it should be considered.
- Submission Requirements:
- All submissions must be original work created by the applicant.
- Digital submissions should be uploaded in a shareable format (PDF, MP4, JPG, etc.).
- If submitting a physical piece (such as a painting or handmade zine), applicants should provide high-quality photos or scans.
- A brief artist’s statement (200-300 words) explaining the inspiration behind the piece and its relevance to climate justice.t holarship to support their project or advocacy efforts
Step 2: Selection Process
- Applications will be reviewed based on passion, interest, and commitment to climate justice.
- A selection committee will prioritize diverse representation, including youth from frontline communities.
- Creative submissions will be evaluated on originality, message clarity, and connection to climate justice.
- Applicants will be notified of acceptance via email within one week after applying.
- The creative submissions will be reviewed separately, and winners of the $500 grant will be announced at the summit.
to support their project or advocacy efforts
Step 3: Confirmation & Pre-Summit Engagement
- Selected participants must confirm attendance within one week of receiving their acceptance email.
- Information about preparation materials will be provided.
Important Dates
- Application Opens: April 1, 2026
- Art Submission Deadline: May 15, 2026
- Application Deadline: May 29, 2026
- Notification of Acceptance: Ongoing, by May 30, 2026 at the latest
- Youth Climate Summit Date: June 6, 2026 10am – 4pm
to support their project or advocacy efforts
Additional Information
- The summit is free to attend, and meals will be provided.
- Limited travel stipends are available for youth traveling from rural areas.
- Questions? Contact jmoyers@talkingtalons.org
We look forward to your application and to building a powerful movement for climate justice together!