(PROTOSTARS)
(PROTOSTARS)
(PROTOSTARS)
(PROTOSTARS)
(PROTOSTARS)
Protostars is a micro-grant program for young people with passion projects. We give young people under 25 from AU/NZ, $1000 to work on their passion projects!
We’re looking for wild young hearts with wild ideas!
We believe that cash, community, belief, and accountability are the keys to unlocking young people’s creativity and raising ambition.
We give young people in Australia/NZ aged 18-25 $1000 to work on their passion projects. We’re funding strange, quirky, ambitious, and downright audacious passion projects. A passion project can be anything. Think metaverse art exhibitions, battle bots, space drones, theatre shows, films, opera podcasts, a travelling STEM roadshow, apps, and more!
The program
Protostars is more than a cash grant. When you receive one of our grants, you also join a program and a community of next-gen worldbuilders, creatives, visionaries and innovators. Together, you create your passion projects, raise each other’s ambition, and hype each other up!
Eligibility
.svg)
.svg)
1. You are aged 18-25 years old
2. You are based in Australia or New Zealand
3. You have a passion project
What to expect
When you receive a grant, you will join a cohort of like-minded creators for 8 weeks as you work together to launch and build your passion projects. Each week we catch up, learn from each other or special guests, build in public, and host virtual (or IRL) coworking sessions. You’ll also be invited to an IRL dinner during the cohort. At the end of the program, we’ll host a showcase to celebrate your progress.
Once the program is over, you’ll join the wider Protostars community. As a member, you’ll get exclusive access to funding, networking and social events and opportunities.
Hear it from our alumni
"Ultimately, I'm so glad that I saw this opportunity randomly on LinkedIn because that first week, joining a call full of SO MANY creative people, was an experience I will never forget. Thank you for giving me this opportunity and helping me help others!!" (Benjamin Garson, Creator of The One Percenters, Protostars Season 7 2024)
"The best thing about Protostars is meeting a group of young people with similar crazy ambitions and seeing everyone's projects come to life!"
"I wouldn't have the confidence nor network to be at the stage I am right now. Being in a space filled with inspiring and ambitious individuals who are genuine about creating an impact in the world is rare!" (Aliet Bior, Founder of Umbrellus, Protostars Season 8 2024/25)
"I've never found quite a community that inspires me so much and pushes me to do my best. My two passions have never been more united and flared up as they have recently due to working on my project so much. Thank you for that!"
"I think the Protostars program is a unique experience that gives young creatives and entrepreneurs an environment to make progress on a project while getting to be apart of a community of like-minded people." (Solomon Inyang, Creator of Culture Crafter Game, Protostars Season 7 2024)
Our alumni community is made up of artists, inventors, scientists, technologists, dancers, filmmakers, poets, community builders, impact leaders and more.
FAQs
Who can apply?
Our grants are available to anyone aged 18-25 based in Australia or Aotearoa and who are working on a passion project.
What sorts of projects have you funded in the past?
The limit does not exist. We have funded all sorts of projects – underground zines, community gardens, podcasts, magazines, robots, films, theatre shows, go-karts, online communities, space drones, video games, card games and more! The more outrageous and odd, the better!
Are there any other conditions?
Not really. The program and cohort has been designed so that you engage with it how you like: you get out what you put in. We will not chase after you if you don't come to catchups – but we also can't guarantee you'll be able to access the full benefits or opportunities available if you choose not to engage.
If you are accepted, you will receive the $1000AUD upfront after you've completed onboarding. We do not ask for any equity, or any money you make from the project. Whatever you create is your intellectual property; we do not own it. The only catch is that you, the people you work with, and your project must adhere to our Code of Conduct.
If your project works with young people under 18 in any capacity (i.e. you have volunteers, participants, etc) we will require you to complete additional steps before we transfer any funds. This is to ensure you have the right policies in place to work safely with minors or vulnerable peoples.
When do applications open? When do they close?
We have three intakes per year.
In 2025 our application intake periods will be:
- Wednesday 5 February to Wednesday 5 March
- Wednesday 30 April to Monday 16 June
- Monday 28 July to Monday 1 September
What is the application process?
Our application comes in two parts: a written and a video submission.
In the written application (Part A), we ask you to tell us about yourself, your interests, and your skills. We don’t care about your credentials; we look for people who embody our values: creativity, curiosity, generosity, and ambition.
Once you’ve submitted your written application, we ask you to pitch your passion project to us in a 90-second video. You can’t hide passion, and we are looking for people whose vision for their project is contagious! You'll also need to include some more information about your passion project: for example, any momentum you've made, how the grant will help you, etc.
When applications close, we invite our panel of judges to review and score all candidates.
The top 30 projects will receive a grant and join the community and program.
How long does the program go for? And what is involved?
Each Protostars cohort runs for 8 weeks. We have designed it to be centred around accountability, building community and relationships, creativity and experimentation.
A typical week at Protostars includes a virtual weekly catchup and a weekly build-in public update on our community platform, Circle. Across the program, we also host coworking sessions, dinners, 1:1 office hours, and guest lectures/AMAs. At minimum, we require that you share 1 x Building in Public update each week.
You get out what you put in. We understand this is a passion project, so participate how you like. But to get the most out of the program and community, we recommend engaging with as many aspects of the program as possible.
What happens at the end of the program?
At the end of the program, you will remain a part of our community.
As a community member, you’ll get exclusive funding opportunities open only to Protostars (like our Follow-on Fund). You’ll receive invitations to attend OR perform and showcase your work at Blackbird events like Sunrise.
You’ll also receive invitations to community events in our main cities: Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. You might also be invited to join judging panels for future and incoming cohorts. We are adding more perks as we go!
Want $1K for your passion project?
.svg)
.svg)