Discover Scuba Diving Scholarship
Summer 2026 Application
Black Girl Blue Heart Foundation is dedicated to connecting marginalized communities with the beauty and wonder of the ocean through scuba diving. This year, we are partnering with Justice Outside to sponsor 14 individuals on an all expenses paid day trip to experience scuba diving in the whimsical waters of Catalina Island, California. We’ll be diving with one of my favorite dive shops, Catalina Divers Supply.
It’s completely free for participants. There’s no catch. Simply follow the application guidelines below, fill in the questionnaire, and submit your video application through the link at the bottom of this page. Selected applicants will be notified via email and assigned to one program date. However, applicants must be fully available on both dates in order to be considered.
Application Deadline: Friday June 5th 2026
Awardee Notification: Monday June 8th 2026
Program Dates: July 11th (Group 1) & July 12th (Group 2)
APPLICATION VIDEO PROMPT: Upload a video 1 minute or less answering the question:
“Why do you want to scuba dive?”
Please provide your full name in your intro and fill out the questionnaire at the bottom of this page.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES:
This program is designed to increase ocean accessibility for people of color. If you do not identify within this demographic, we respectfully ask that you do not apply.
This opportunity is intended for first time divers only. Applicants cannot already be scuba certified or have prior scuba diving experience.
Applicants must have previous ocean snorkeling experience and basic swimming skills.
Applicants must be comfortable in open water and able to swim and float unassisted.
Applicants must live in Los Angeles County, California.
Preference will be given to applicants with financial need. Please use consideration and honesty when determining whether this opportunity is intended for you.
Applicants must be fully available for the entire day of both program dates: July 11th, 2026 and July 12th, 2026.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and in reasonably good health.
Your application video does not need to be professionally produced. Simply speak from the heart and share your story.
The scholarship includes:
PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience
Roundtrip Catalina Express ferry tickets from Long Beach
$50 gas stipend
Parking stipend
Breakfast and lunch
Event Day Schedule:
Ferry ride from Long Beach to Catalina Island (1 hour)
Discover Scuba classroom session (1 hour)
Equipment fitting & dive briefing (1 hour)
Guided ocean training dive (1 hour)
Group lunch & community time (1 hour)
Ferry ride back to Long Beach (1 hour)
The ocean brings me more joy than I can keep to myself and I want more people to experience its liberating enchantment. This scholarship is a way to encourage more diversity and representation in the scuba diving world. The ocean is for everyone!
Cheers,
Gabby | Black Girl Blue World
