THE AUDACIOUS VOYAGE GRANT

Applications open August 1st

For one year following the premiere of our film, we pledged to donate 50% of our profits to support women-led, environmentally focused, first-time adventure projects. Every ticket purchased, community screening hosted, piece of merchandise bought, donation made, and stream of the film has helped make this grant possible. We are honoured to be supported by such an awesome community and to be able to give back.

Download CALL TO PROPOSAl

WHY THIS EXISTS

As we set off for the North Atlantic crossing in 2022, the central feat in our project Women & the Wind, we had a $1,000 food budget, some small unpaid brand partnerships, and a lot of really great people who helped us be able to toss the lines.

We did try to look for funding before the voyage. We were mostly met with nos and non-responses, and that might have had to do with a couple of facts: we had never produced a feature-length documentary before, and this documentary would be shot aboard a rustic, wooden catamaran across one of the most dangerous oceans out there.

Without the crossing, there would be no film. We were lucky enough that even lacking financial support, we would undertake the voyage and document it no matter what. This cost us years.

And we realize so many women aren’t that lucky and don’t have that time. We know what it means to be in the middle of a project that hasn't proven itself yet, where the vision is clear but the backing isn't there.

The Audacious Voyage Grant exists because financial support at the right moment changes everything. Not because it makes the project safer or easier, but because it makes it possible.

We pledged 50% of the film's profits for one year to fund projects like the one we once were: first-time, high-risk, women-led, and worth it.

WHAT WE’RE FUNDING

The grant funds projects that bring together three things: a real journey, a real environmental thread, and a real creative outcome.

The voyage can be anything: an ocean crossing, a wilderness expedition, a human-powered journey, an environmental observation project. What matters is that it takes you somewhere physically and demands something of you.

The environmental component doesn't require scientific credentials or formal research. It asks that you go somewhere, pay attention to what's happening to the natural world around you, and bring that truth back.

The creative work, whether a film, photo essay, written narrative, audio piece, or exhibition, is how that truth reaches an audience. The format is yours.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Applicants must identify as women and be undertaking a qualifying first-time transformative project. This doesn't mean you've never done anything - it means this project represents a meaningful first: leading an expedition, producing a major creative work, undertaking an adventure of new scale, or connecting exploration with environmental advocacy for the first time.

Applications are evaluated across five criteria by a selection committee of reviewers:

Narrative Vision - Does the applicant clearly connect the journey, environmental theme, and creative outcome?

Resourcefulness & Grit - Does the applicant demonstrate initiative, problem-solving, and resilience appropriate for a first voyage?

Environmental Witness - Is there meaningful engagement with a specific ecological issue?

Storytelling Potential - Is there a credible plan for producing and sharing a compelling public narrative?

Feasibility - Is the project realistic in scope, timeline, and logistics?

The selection process prioritizes projects led by women from historically underrepresented communities, including women of color, Indigenous women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those from under-resourced regions.

TELL me more

  • No. While Women & the Wind began at sea, the grant is open to all adventure types — wilderness expeditions, human-powered journeys, environmental observation projects, and more. What matters is that your project involves a real journey and a real environmental thread.

  • This grant supports first-time transformative projects, not necessarily first-time adventurers. Your project qualifies if one major dimension represents a first for you — leading an expedition, producing a major creative work, undertaking an adventure of this scale, or connecting exploration with environmental advocacy for the first time.

  • Yes. If your voyage is complete and you need funding to finish and share the artistic work, you are welcome to apply.

  • Yes. Applications are open to women worldwide. Applicants must be able to receive grant funds and carry out their project in compliance with the laws and regulations of their country of residence.

  • Yes. A budget document is required as part of the application. It doesn't need to be professionally formatted — a clear breakdown of costs and funding sources is sufficient. This helps us understand how you plan to use the grant and how realistic your project scope is.

  • The selection committee will review all applications between September and November 2026. Selected grantees will receive their notifications on November 20, 2026.

WOMEN AND THE WIND INC is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes in accordance with section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. These purposes include, but are not limited to, educating and empowering women/persons on self-sustainability, ocean and ecological conservation, by means of social action and the support or initiation of ocean and/or women-centered projects.