The Leading Scholarship allows outstanding young leaders to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, from 3 to 6 November 2026. Scholars are selected on the merit of their proven leadership and ability to create change in their home countries.

The scholarship aims to support young leaders from countries that are under-represented in global forums and decision-making spaces.

Selection process:

• Applications are reviewed and scholars selected on a rolling basis.
• Selected candidates are notified by email between June and October 2026.
• Priority goes to applicants from countries less represented at previous Summits and to first-time attendees (not One Young World Ambassadors).
• The organizer does not respond to individual enquiries about outcomes and does not give feedback on unsuccessful applications.
• Applying may put you forward for other opportunities.

Timeline: Applications opened on 11 June 2026. The page lists 31 October 2026 as the deadline, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

• Aged 18 to 35; applications from those under 18 at the time of the Summit are not accepted.
• Evidenced commitment to delivering positive change.
• Working on key local and/or global issues.
• Track record of generating impactful and innovative ideas.
• A national of one of the eligible countries (may reside in another country). Arab countries on the list: Djibouti, Mauritania, Oman, Qatar.
• Other eligible countries: Samoa, Estonia, Liechtenstein, São Tomé and Príncipe, Azerbaijan, Fiji, Luxembourg, Solomon Islands, Belarus, Gambia, Maldives, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Bhutan, Georgia, Malta, Suriname, Brunei Darussalam, Grenada, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Tajikistan, Congo-Brazzaville, Holy See, Micronesia, Timor-Leste, Cuba, Iceland, Uruguay, Barbados, North Korea, Kiribati, Nicaragua, Tonga, Kosovo, Niger, Trinidad & Tobago, Dominica, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Equatorial Guinea, Laos, Palau, Tuvalu, Eritrea, Latvia.

• Full delegate access to the One Young World Summit in Cape Town.
• Catering: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Access to the One Young World Global Leadership Programme and Action Accelerator.
• Membership of the One Young World Ambassador Community, with exclusive regional events and opportunities.
• A network of over 20,000 potential collaborators from 196 countries.
• Ambassador opportunities such as speaking events, regional networking and mentoring sessions.
• The chance to wave your country's flag at the Opening Ceremony.
• Transport and accommodation are decided case by case for each scholar and are not guaranteed.
• Visa fees and related costs are paid by the participant.