One Young World Leading Scholarship 2026

One Young World runs an annual global summit for young leaders, and the Leading Scholarship is its main route in for people from countries rarely represented at international forums. The 2026 Summit is in Cape Town from 3 to 6 November.

Selection rests on evidence that you are already delivering change on a local or global issue. Priority goes to applicants from under-represented countries and to first-time attendees, both of which favour a Cameroonian applicant. It is open to every country, ages 18 to 35.

The award covers travel, accommodation and meals.

Two things need saying plainly. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and the organisers say selected candidates are notified between June and October 2026 — so although the published deadline is 31 October, that is three days before the Summit itself, and anyone applying in late October is realistically applying to an all-but-filled cohort. Apply now rather than near the date.

The second catch is the visa. If you are selected and need a South African visa, One Young World does not pay for it, and you also cover travel to and from the visa application centre.