O’Shaughnessy Fellowships & Grants

O’Shaughnessy Fellowships & Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: O'Shaughnessy Ventures
Amount: US $100,000
Last Updated: January 16, 2026

Summary

The O'Shaughnessy Fellowships & Grants offer a unique opportunity for ambitious individuals worldwide to pursue innovative projects with a $100,000 equity-free grant. Applications are open to adults over 18, with a strong portfolio required. The program fosters a diverse community of creators and innovators, bridging connections to mentors and investors. With a focus on impactful work, it champions scientific and artistic contributions that have the potential to change the world.

Overview

NOTE: February 28 Deadline - Early Application WindowApplications are evaluated on a rolling basis, so the earlier you apply, the earlier your application will be reviewed.We’ll let you know if you’re shortlisted for the next round as soon as we make a decision, usually in 30 days.April 30 Deadline - Extended Application WindowMissed the early application window? Don’t worry. You still have a chance to apply for the Fellowships. Fill out the application form, and we’ll add it to our backlog and review it as soon as possible.There is no separate application process for the Grants program. Winners will be selected based on their Fellowship Application form. Background What if you had $100k to pursue your boldest ideas? What if we told you we want to champion your most hare-brained, out-there, eye-wateringly ambitious idea? What if the only thing standing in your way is an application form and a few calls? No, this isn’t too good to be true. This is the O’Shaughnessy Fellowships & Grants. A one-year program that unites the world’s most bold and undiscovered researchers, builders and creatives to find, build and spread new ideas. In just two years, we’ve scoured over 140 countries to find and fund 55 extraordinary innovators, leading to six companies & non-profits, five documentaries, >2.2 billion views on YouTube, and the blossoming of numerous scientific, creative, and technological projects. Funding All fellows receive a $100,000 equity-free grant to pursue their projects for one year, past which we will help them raise equity if they choose to do so. Extraordinary visions demand powerful networks. We connect you directly to investors, partners, and mentors, while welcoming you into our growing community of Fellows and Grantees. We've seen first-hand how unexpected creative breakthroughs emerge when our network's diverse interests and perspectives collide. Alongside our ten Fellowships, up to twenty individuals will each receive a $10,000 grant and access to OSV’s network of founders, investors, and experts to support them in bringing their projects to life. Who We’re Looking For The Fellowships and Grants empower individuals of the highest caliber whose work positively impacts the world, from scientific breakthroughs and technological innovations to enduring artistic and cultural contributions. If you’re working on something that can improve the world, we want to hear from you. While our Fellows and Grantees pursue many projects across multiple domains, they all embody certain traits: Personal AgencyEveryone has the power and capability to actively shape their future. We seek individuals who have consistently demonstrated initiative and proactiveness in their work and actions, reflecting a strong sense of personal agency.Exemplary Proof-of-WorkPast performance does not necessarily predict future performance, but it offers valuable insights into an individual’s character and capabilities. A history of exemplary work in any domain will serve as a strong indicator of your skills, ability, and potential.ResourcefulnessThe Fellowships will provide financial aid to get your project off the ground, but how creatively can you use that funding to achieve the maximum impact in the shortest amount of time? We’re looking for people who are determined, have demonstrated good judgment, and can make ingenious use of limited resources to achieve their goals. Project Examples You can decide the project you want to pursue as part of the fellowship. Ideally, it would be something you are uniquely suited to do and want to make your life’s work.  It can include (but is not limited to) art pieces, like Davinci or Michelangelo, music, a computer program, new products, deep scientific research, stellar pieces of journalism, documentaries, sculptures, and more. The ideal output would be something that could eventually resemble something iconic that can stand the test of time, like the Sistine Chapel, a breakthrough scientific discovery like penicillin, and other similar results.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The fellowship is open to adults worldwide, regardless of their background. We only require that you have a strong portfolio of proof of work.The fellowship is entirely remote.Individuals over the age of 18 can apply.

Ineligibility

If you’ve already started a startup or plan to raise outside investment to build a venture-scale company, please apply to Infinite Adventures - our venture capital arm.