BLUE Eligibility and 2026-27 Applications

Eligibility  

NWS Fellows and alumni may submit BLUE Project proposals that focus on a new initiative or an existing project with clear potential for further development. Applications involving existing work should articulate how NWS’s mentorship, resources and collaborative support would meaningfully enhance the project’s trajectory, impact or scope.   

Timeline   

The September Application Cycle ends September 22, 2026 and is open to both NWS Fellows and alumni.  

Evaluation Process  

The BLUE review panel will comprise a cross-departmental group of NWS staff and subject matter experts within the NWS network, all with extensive familiarity with the BLUE program. Individual panelist scores will be aggregated and averaged to produce a composite score for each applicant.

The maximum attainable score is 100 points, with a minimum threshold of 75 required for a proposal to move on to the next round of adjudication. A final feasibility study will be conducted by internal staff to insure that the project scope is within current capacities.