Leading Scholarship 2026

One Young World's flagship scholarship, ensuring that remarkable young leaders from every country in the world are able to attend our annual Summit. If you are a young leader who is devising meaningful strategies to build a more sustainable world, One Young World is looking to bring you to our next annual Summit.

Apply to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa from 3 - 6 November via our flagship Leading Scholarship.

Ensuring that the Summit is accessible to remarkable young leaders from almost every country in the world is pivotal to the mission of One Young World. Scholarships provide the opportunity for exceptional young people to attend on the merit of their proven leadership and ability to create change in their home country. The Leading Scholarship is designed specifically to identify and support outstanding young leaders from countries that are often under-represented at global forums and decision-making spaces.

What could the Leading Scholarship mean for you? 

• Tap into a global network of over 20,000 potential collaborators from 196 countries.
• Gain access to exclusive Ambassador opportunities, such as speaking events, regional networking opportunities and mentoring sessions.
• The chance to wave your country's flag at the Opening Ceremony.
• Gain greater visibility for your work and be heard by world renowned experts and leaders.

• Table of Content
• About One Young World
• Leading Scholarship Entrepreneurs
• Aim and Benefits of Leading Scholarship Entrepreneurs
• Requirements for Leading Scholarship Entrepreneurs Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

Leading Scholarship Entrepreneurs

Aim and Benefits of Leading Scholarship Entrepreneurs

Each scholar will receive: 

• Full delegate access to the One Young World Summit in Cape Town.
• Hotel accommodation between 2 and 6 November 2026.
• Catering which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• The cost of travel to and from Cape Town. Note: your flight to Cape Town must leave from and return to the same airport.

Requirements for Leading Scholarship Entrepreneurs Qualification

You are eligible for the Leading Scholarship if you:

• Are between the ages of 18 - 35.
• Have an evidenced commitment to delivering positive change.
• Are addressing key local and/or global issues in your work.
• Have a track record of generating impactful and innovative ideas.

One Young World are not able to accept applications from those who will be aged under 18 at the time of the Summit.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more information, kindly visit One Young World scholarship webpage.