Short ProgrammeSouth AfricaPartial
One Young World Leading Scholarship 2026 in South Africa (Summit Place for Leaders from 53 Listed Countries)
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Program Overview
The Leading Scholarship is the flagship scholarship of One Young World. It brings young leaders to the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, from 3 to 6 November 2026.
It is not open to every country. You must be 18 to 35 years old and from one of 53 countries on the official list, which is made up of countries that are under-represented at global forums. Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Nigeria are not on the 2026 list. Check the list under Eligibility before you spend time on the form.
The scholarship gives a delegate place, meals during the Summit and membership of the Ambassador Community. One Young World says transport and accommodation are decided case by case for each scholar, so do not assume they are paid. You pay your own visa fee.
Applications opened on 11 June 2026 and close on 31 October 2026. They are reviewed on a rolling basis, and selected candidates are told by email between June and October 2026. The Summit starts on 3 November, so a late application leaves very little time to get a visa. The scholarship for the 2027 Summit has not been announced. This page was last checked against the official website on 7 October 2026.
Key Information
Host Country
South Africa
Funding Type
Partial
English Requirement
Varies — check program requirements
Eligible Nations
Citizens of 53 listed countries only (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Nigeria are not on the list)
Category
Partial
Applications Open
Opened 11 June 2026
Status
Accepting Applications
Scholarship Benefits
Full delegate access to the One Young World Summit in Cape Town
Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the Summit
Access to the One Young World Global Leadership Programme and Action Accelerator
Membership of the One Young World Ambassador Community
Transport and accommodation are decided case by case for each scholar, so they are not guaranteed
The visa fee and other visa costs are paid by you
Eligibility Criteria
- Between 18 and 35 years old, and at least 18 at the time of the Summit
- From one of the 53 countries on the official list. You may live in another country
- The 2026 list: Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Monaco, Nicaragua, Niger, North Korea, Oman, Palau, Qatar, Samoa, São Tomé and Príncipe, Solomon Islands, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uruguay and Vanuatu
- Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Nigeria are not on the 2026 list
- An evidenced commitment to delivering positive change
- Work that addresses key local or global issues
- A track record of generating impactful and innovative ideas
- Priority goes to countries that were less represented at earlier Summits, and to first-time attendees
How Applications Are Evaluated
Each scholarship provider uses its own selection criteria. Applicants should review the official scholarship guidelines for the specific criteria used to evaluate applications.
Required Documents
Online application form on the One Young World scholarship portal
The official page does not list any documents to upload
How to Apply
1
Check that your country is on the official list before you start
2
Open the Leading Scholarship 2026 page and click Apply
3
Complete the online form on the One Young World scholarship portal
4
Submit by 31 October 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
5
Selected candidates are told by email. One Young World does not answer questions about results and gives no feedback
Ready to Submit?
Ensure you have reviewed all requirements and gathered your documents before starting the application.
Official Application WebsiteFrequently Asked Questions
It varies by program and by your previous education. Some providers accept other English tests, and some waive the test if your earlier degree was taught in English. Check the official program requirements before you apply.
The official deadline is 10/31/2026. We highly recommend submitting your application at least a week prior to avoid server congestion.
Most universities allow you to apply with a "Hope Certificate" or provisional transcript if you are in your final semester, provided you graduate before the intake starts.
This varies by university. Many fully funded scholarships cover or waive application fees, but some may still require an initial processing fee. Refer to the official guidelines.
For PhD and some Master's programs, securing an acceptance letter from a professor is often mandatory. For undergraduate programs, it is usually not required.
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