GLAAD announced today that it is accepting applications for the 2017 Rising Stars Digital Innovator Grant. The Rising Stars Digital Innovator Grant honors and supports young people’s commitment to culture-changing work in the fields of social media, digital media, and technology.

The grant is offered annually to a young person (ages 18-30) who is enhancing LGBTQ experiences online and in their communities using social media, digital media, or tech. The recipient will receive $2,500 to further fund their work and initiatives and will be honored at the GLAAD Rising Stars Luncheon in San Francisco, CA on Friday, September 8th. Hotel and travel accommodations included.

To become a recipient of the Rising Stars Digital Innovator Grant, applicants must complete the online application form located on glaad.org/risingstars, and include a 90 second or less video explaining how their project(s) are enhancing the experiences of LGBTQ people, online and in their communities. The grant is available to a person or team of people and applicants can apply as individuals or as a team. 

Pictured: C Mandler, L. Juliett, Aisha Bibbs, Monique Swirsky, and Joon Park at the Rising Stars at the GLAAD Media Awards Luncheon in May, 2017. 

Applicants must be available to travel to San Francisco, CA for the GLAAD Rising Stars Luncheon on Friday, September 8th, 2017. Applicants are asked to hold the following dates on their calendars (9/7/17 – 9/10/17).

Rising Stars Grants are also awarded at GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles and New York. Grant recipients at those events had the opportunity to meet with celebs like Troye Sivan, Hannah Hart, Victoria Justice, and more to speak about LGBTQ advocacy. Highlights from the Los Angeles and New York ceremonies can be found here and here.

The GLAAD Rising Star Grants Program was created to celebrate young people’s commitment to enhancing LGBTQ representation within their communities and culture at large. Grants are offered annually to support young people in their initiatives to enhance intersectional LGBTQ advocacy and representation.

So grateful for the opportunity to attend & present at @GLAAD‘s Rising Stars luncheon yesterday in support of the LGBTQ community.pic.twitter.com/KBeqXuYMtW

— Victoria Justice (@VictoriaJustice) April 1, 2017

The details:

A GLAAD-appointed committee will select recipients based on the strength of the following criteria:

• Applicant’s initiative positively affects marginalized communities, particularly LGBTQ people.
• Applicant’s initiative uses innovative strategies on social and digital media or technology to enhance the experiences of LGBTQ people.
• Applicant’s initiative uses media advocacy to enhance representation for LGBTQ people.
• Applicant’s initiative uses an intersectional approach to LGBTQ advocacy.

Key dates for applicants:

• Friday, August 11th, 2017: applications available.
• Monday, August 21st, 2017: applications due.
• Friday, August 25th, 2017: Rising Stars Grant recipients(s) are announced.
• Friday, September 8th, 2017: Rising Stars Grant recipient(s) to attend GLAAD Rising Stars Luncheon.
• Saturday, September 9th, 2017: Rising Stars Grant recipient(s) to attend GLAAD Gala San Francisco.

Please direct any questions you may have to GLAAD Campaigns Manager, Clare Kenny.