Student Mini-Grants for Plastic Pollution Projects
Donor: Algalita
Location: Global
Beneficiaries: Students ages 11–25
Project focus areas: Plastic Pollution
Funding amount: $500 per project
Project duration: One year
Deadline: 15 January 2027
Algalita’s Student Mini Grants provide funding to students ages 11–25 worldwide developing or leading community projects that address the root causes of plastic pollution and build local capacity for long-term change.
Plastic pollution is a production problem as well as a litter problem, and the projects are intended to help students understand its root causes and take action in their own communities.
Projects may address plastic pollution through campus reuse systems, repair clinics, cleanups paired with data collection and storytelling, education campaigns, policy advocacy, creative communication, or other efforts to reduce plastic waste.
Projects should help students address the root causes of plastic pollution and build local capacity for long-term change; new and existing efforts are eligible.
Each Mini-Grant provides $500 in funding, and Algalita will award 10 individual Student Mini-Grants for the 2026–2027 school year.
Applicants must be students ages 11–25 worldwide who are developing or leading a project at school, in their neighborhood, or in their broader community. Each applicant must identify an adult advisor to provide guidance and support.
Applicants must create a Wayfinder Society individual or class student account if they do not already have one, complete “The Story of Plastic – Watch the Film” and “The Story of Plastic – System Mapping” before the deadline, and submit the application by 5:00 p.m. PT on January 15, 2027. Potential recipients and their advisors will be contacted for a one-on-one video call interview, with winners announced in late February 2027.
Eligible Project Examples
Any new or existing effort focused on addressing the plastic problem including, but not limited to education campaigns, cleanup initiatives, incorporating reusables in school cafeteria, community-based research or hosting a fixit clinic on campus. Here are some examples:
- Campus reuse systems (dish ware programs, water refill stations)
- Fix-It Clinics or repair cafés to keep items in use
- Cleanup campaigns tied to data collection and storytelling
- Education workshops or peer-to-peer campaigns
- Policy advocacy projects (plastic bans, refill policies)
- Creative arts/communication projects that reframe the issue
- A school garden project that reduces cafeteria plastic waste
- Composting program that teaches about food packaging reduction
- Scholarships for students working on plastics-related or circular-economy projects
- Conference attendance that equips students to advocate for plastic reduction solutions
Selected grantees will receive ongoing support for their project from Algalita staff throughout the school year to celebrate wins, problem solve challenges and move towards project success.
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