Scholarships

Call for Applications: Global Citizen Scholarship Program 2026

Hafsat Abubakar 2 days ago

193 1 minute read

Call for Applications: Global Citizen Scholarship Program 2026

Organizers: Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, Management Centre Innsbruck (MCI), and RELX

Edition: 9th Annual Cohort

Format: Fully Virtual

Application Deadline: Wednesday, 4 March 2026 (11:55 PM CET)

Program Overview

The Global Citizen Scholarship Program is a prestigious virtual initiative aimed at empowering young leaders to translate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into local action. The program blends high-level academic learning with grassroots project implementation, fostering a new generation of entrepreneurial changemakers.

What You Will Experience

Selected scholars will embark on an 8 to 9-month journey starting in April 2026, which includes:

Summer School: A rigorous two-week intensive program hosted by Management Center Innsbruck.
Entrepreneurship Training: Expert-led workshops focused on building sustainable business models for social impact.
Project Implementation: Designing and executing a “Changemaker Project” that addresses specific SDGs in your local community.
Mentorship: Peer-to-peer support and professional networking with global experts.

Eligibility Criteria

Age: 20 to 35 years old.
Regions: Young leaders from selected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Specific Countries (Africa): Nigeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
Cohort Size: Only 17 scholars will be selected globally (16 from the eligible regions and 1 from MCI).

Scholarship Benefits

Seed Funding: €500 grant to kickstart your community project (upon proposal approval).
Certification: A prestigious certificate of achievement signed by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Dr. Heinz Fischer.
Financial Support: Full tuition coverage for all workshops and the virtual summer school.
Professional Network: Lifelong access to a global network of sustainable development practitioners.

How to Apply

The selection process is highly competitive. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate a clear passion for the SDGs and a concrete idea for a community-based project.