One Young World Leading Scholarship 2026

A strong idea can begin in a small community and eventually reach a global audience. The One Young World Leading Scholarship 2026 is designed to help exceptional young changemakers make that transition.

The scholarship gives selected young leaders the opportunity to participate in the One Young World Summit 2026, scheduled for 3–6 November 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. The programme is particularly interested in applicants who are already taking action on important challenges and can demonstrate meaningful results.

This is not simply an opportunity to attend an international event. Scholars become part of a wider leadership community where they can exchange ideas, meet people working on similar challenges, and develop connections that may continue after the Summit.

One Young World Leading Scholarship 2026 – Quick Facts

What Is the Leading Scholarship?

The Leading Scholarship is One Young World’s flagship scholarship for promising young leaders. Its purpose is to make the annual Summit accessible to talented individuals who may otherwise have limited opportunities to participate in international leadership forums.

The scholarship is especially relevant to people who are actively addressing social, environmental, economic, educational, technological, health or community-related challenges.

Academic qualifications alone are not the main focus. Applicants should be able to demonstrate leadership, initiative, innovative thinking and evidence that their work is producing positive change.

Who Can Apply?

To be considered for the scholarship, applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Be between 18 and 35 years old.
• Demonstrate a clear commitment to positive change.
• Be addressing a significant local or global issue.
• Have developed meaningful and innovative ideas.
• Show evidence of leadership and impact.

Applicants who will be under 18 when the Summit takes place are not eligible.

The scholarship is competitive, so fulfilling the basic criteria does not guarantee selection.

What Will Selected Scholars Receive?

Successful applicants will receive full delegate access to the One Young World Summit in Cape Town.

The scholarship includes:

• Access to all relevant Summit activities.
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Entry to the Global Leadership Programme.
• Access to the Action Accelerator.
• Membership in the One Young World Ambassador Community.
• Opportunities to connect with an international network of young leaders.
• Potential access to mentoring, speaking and regional networking opportunities.

One important point is that the scholarship package does not automatically guarantee accommodation or transportation. These are considered individually for each scholar.

Participants who require a visa for South Africa must also pay their own visa fee and other expenses associated with the visa application process.

A Global Network Beyond the Summit

One of the major attractions of this opportunity is the community that comes with it.

One Young World connects young leaders from 196 countries, with a network of more than 20,000 potential collaborators. This creates an environment where participants can meet people with different experiences, expertise and approaches to solving global problems.

For a young entrepreneur, researcher, community organizer, sustainability advocate, healthcare professional or social-impact leader, these connections could become useful for future projects and collaborations.

How to Prepare a Competitive Application

A good application should demonstrate action rather than ambition alone.

Instead of only explaining what you hope to accomplish in the future, describe what you have already achieved.

Consider highlighting:

Your Challenge

What important problem are you trying to solve?

Your Contribution

What have you personally done to address it?

Your Impact

How many people, communities or organizations have benefited from your work?

Your Innovation

What makes your approach different from existing solutions?

Your Future Plans

How could your work grow after participating in the Summit?

Where possible, support your claims with concrete examples, figures, outcomes or stories that demonstrate your leadership.

Selection Process

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, meaning candidates can be considered as applications are assessed rather than waiting until the deadline.

Priority may be given to young leaders from countries that have been less represented at previous One Young World Summits. First-time Summit applicants may also receive priority compared with existing One Young World Ambassadors.

Successful candidates are expected to receive notification by email between June and October 2026.

Due to the high number of applications, individual feedback is not provided to unsuccessful candidates.

Application Deadline

Applications for the One Young World Leading Scholarship 2026 opened on 11 June 2026 and close on 31 October 2026.

Because selection happens on a rolling basis, eligible candidates should consider submitting their applications as early as possible rather than waiting for the final day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the age limit?

Applicants must be 18 to 35 years old.

Is the scholarship available internationally?

Yes. The programme aims to increase participation from young leaders around the world, with particular attention to countries that have been underrepresented at previous Summits.

Does the scholarship cover flights and accommodation?

Not necessarily. Transportation and accommodation are assessed case by case for selected scholars.

Are visa expenses covered?

No. Participants requiring a South African visa are responsible for the visa fee and related application expenses.

Is this scholarship only for students?

No specific student requirement is stated. The key criteria are leadership, positive impact, innovative ideas and commitment to addressing important challenges.

When is the final deadline?

The application deadline is 31 October 2026.

Final Thoughts

The One Young World Leading Scholarship 2026 offers more than a place at an international Summit. It provides young changemakers with the possibility of gaining global exposure, learning from peers and becoming part of a long-term international leadership community.

If you are already working on a meaningful initiative and can demonstrate real leadership and measurable impact, this could be an opportunity worth considering.

Application Deadline: 31 October 2026

Applicants should always check the latest official scholarship information before submitting an application, particularly regarding travel, accommodation and visa arrangements.

Apply Now

Precautions Before Applying

Before submitting your application for the One Young World Leading Scholarship 2026, keep these points in mind:

• Apply early: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so waiting until the deadline may not be the best strategy.
• Show real impact: Focus on projects, initiatives, or activities where you can demonstrate what you actually achieved.
• Check the age requirement: You must be between 18 and 35 years old at the required time.
• Do not assume all travel costs are covered: Accommodation and transportation are considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Budget for visa expenses: If you need a South African visa, the visa fee and related application costs are your responsibility.
• Use accurate information: Make sure every statement, achievement, statistic, and document in your application is genuine and verifiable.
• Avoid exaggerated claims: A smaller project with clear evidence of impact can be more convincing than unsupported claims of large-scale achievements.
• Review the official requirements: Scholarship conditions can change, so verify the latest information before applying.
• Watch your email: Selection notifications are sent by email, and successful candidates may be contacted during the rolling selection period.