Applications for the 2026 GUE NextGen Scholarship Are Now Open!

– Plus an Exciting Collaboration for Future Scholars!

From 1st April, applications for the 2026 GUE NextGen Scholarship are now OPEN, promising a transformative opportunity designed to empower the next generation of divers. In addition, GUE and BlueGreen Expeditions are ecstatic to announce their latest collaboration, in which Scholarship recipients will have the chance to join a diving trip to either the Arctic or Antarctica to engage with citizen science and experience the polar regions.

WHAT IS INVOLVED? 

The NextGen Scholarship, open to divers aged 21 to 30, provides tuition-free GUE training for one year, a generous travel budget, and a brand-new set of diving gear from Halcyon. With these resources, the recipient can fuel their passion for exploration and conservation by undertaking GUE training in their preferred locations and environments. In return, the NextGen Scholar will  share their journey through written and video documentation. 

As added incentive, GUE is offering personalized support to a number of eligible runners-up through the NextGen Legacy Project. GUE will determine how many of these NextGen Trainees will be chosen, as well as the type of support provided, but past sponsorship has included participation in scientific cave projects, Fundamentals training, photography workshops, and more.

New for 2026: Subject to availability and prerequisite experiences, the NextGen Scholar will have an opportunity to partake in a once-in-a-lifetime expedition to the Arctic or Antarctica with BlueGreen Expeditions. Here, they can take advantage of all the citizen science programs onboard, work with renowned videographers and photographers, and dive in some of the most unique places on earth. 

MORE INFORMATION

Please see the GUE NextGen Scholarship and Legacy Project pages for all the details of: 

• Eligibility requirements
• Scholarship requirements and benefits (you said “details” above)
• The application process 
• Types of support Trainees could receive

The application window is now OPEN from April 1st and CLOSES on July 1st. 

“Definitely an opportunity of a lifetime!” Thanapol Tantagunninat, 2025 NextGen Scholar

“My journey as a Trainee and my participation in projects were  valuable and memorable—as well as nothing short of transformative.” Greta Freiwald, Trainee class 2023. 

“I love seeing so many deserving divers achieve their goals via Scholarship collaborations and the NextGen Legacy opportunities we have. Developing this expansion is exceedingly fulfilling!” Jenn Thomson, 2022-23 Scholar and NextGen Program Lead.

Join GUE in empowering the future of diving. For more information about the scholarship, please contact [email protected].