Portfolio over passport.

The problem

Every year, conflict displaces millions of young people with extraordinary potential. Their talent doesn’t disappear when their world falls apart. But their access to education does.

What we do

The Brief Project funds full university educations for young people from conflict zones. Not partial scholarships. The whole thing: tuition, housing, living expenses, visa support, and application fees.

We identify candidates through the global creative awards ecosystem and direct applications. One to two scholars per year to start. Every scholar fully funded before they enroll.

Proof it works

Liza Popova

First scholar · Fine Art, UCL

Our first scholar is Liza Popova, a 19-year-old designer from Kyiv, Ukraine. Liza completed high school remotely during the war, won awards at ADC, One Show, PHNX, and the Effies, and graduated from the Cannes Lions Creative Academy, all before turning 19. She begins studying Fine Art at University College London this fall.

How to give

The Brief Project runs on a pooled donor model. Agencies, brands, media companies, and individuals fund scholarships together. Every dollar goes toward getting a young person from a conflict zone into a university and through to graduation.

Who’s behind this

The Brief Project was started by John Elder, Molly Schultz, and Mike Barrett.