Here's the thing nobody tells you: the people handing out money and access right now are actively looking for 20-somethings who don't have traditional credentials. They're literally funding college dropouts, side project builders, and people who just have interesting ideas.
The catch? You actually have to apply. Most people don't. Here are 6 that are worth your time:
Z Fellows — The "just start building" program
One week. Access to founders from Netflix, DoorDash, Figma, Tinder. Optional $10k at a $1B valuation cap (which is basically free money).
There have been Z Fellow high school dropouts, college students, and people with full-time jobs. You don't need a startup. You need a side project and the energy to actually show up. They're looking for people who are super passionate, smart, and building without needing external validation to get started.
Deadline: Rolling, no deadline
Link: zfellows.com
Emergent Ventures — Tyler Cowen's "I believe in you" grants
This economist runs a program that's given out grants to more than 1,000 individuals around the world. We're talking high schoolers building robots, Substack writers, random people with ideas. Grants range from $1k to $50k.
The application is literally three questions. The question you're most likely to be asked is "how ambitious are you?" That's it. If you have something you want to make happen—a project, a gap year plan, a weird research idea—apply.
Deadline: Rolling, response in 2-3 weeks
Watson Fellowship — Get paid $40k to travel for a year
The Watson Fellowship is a rare window after college and pre-career to engage your deepest interest on a global scale. You design your own year-long project abroad. Past projects: following traditional music across continents, studying street food culture, documenting dying languages.
Only for seniors at 41 partner schools (check if yours is on the list). $40,000 for a year of purposeful, independent exploration outside the United States.
Deadline: Campus deadlines in September/October
Palantir Meritocracy Fellowship — The controversial one
Palantir launched a fellowship aimed at high schoolers or recent graduates who want to "skip the debt" and get real work experience instead.
The four-month fellowship pays $5,400 a month. 22 fellows selected from 500+ applicants in the first cohort. You need SAT 1460+ or ACT 33+, and you can't be enrolled in college.
Look—you don't have to agree with the politics. But if you're already on the fence about school and you're technical, this is $21k+ to test an alternative path.
Deadline: Rolling (Fall 2026 cohort open)
Thiel Fellowship — The OG
The grant was just raised to $200,000 (up from $100k).
11 of 271 recipients founded unicorns—Figma ($20B acquisition), Ethereum, OYO. You have to drop out to accept, which is the whole point. 22 or younger. Rolling admissions.
Not for everyone. But if you're already building something and college feels like it's slowing you down, this exists.
Link: thielfellowship.org
BONUS HACK: SXSW for free
Every March, SXSW needs volunteers. 24+ hours gets you a Music, Film, or Innovation badge. 36+ hours gets you a Platinum Badge—which normally costs over $1,500. You'll meet people, see industry talks, and attend parties with people way more connected than you.
Volunteer registration for 2026 opens January 2026.
The move:
Pick two of these. Apply this week. The worst case is you get practice explaining what you're working on. Best case is $200k, a year abroad, or connections that change your trajectory.
These aren't lottery tickets. They're looking for you. They just need you to raise your hand.