Ongoing: Ban Ki-moon Foundation Global Citizen Scholarship 2026

Applications have opened for the 2026 edition of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation Global Citizen Scholarship Programme, marking the ninth round of the initiative aimed at empowering young leaders committed to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The programme is organised by the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future and is delivered fully online. It targets young global citizens prepared to design and implement local changemaker projects aligned with one or more of the SDGs.

EducationNGR reports that selected participants will not only execute community-based projects but will also take part in a summer school, peer-to-peer mentoring sessions, and expert-led trainings and workshops.

Target Participants And Eligible Countries

The scholarship will select 16 young changemakers aged between 20 and 35 years from the following regions:

Africa

Cameroon, Ethiopia, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe

Middle East

Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE

South Asia

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

Southeast Asia

Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Vietnam

Scholarship Benefits And Programme Structure

Over a period of eight to nine months, selected scholars will deepen their understanding of Agenda 2030 and the SDGs, while also building expertise in entrepreneurship for sustainable development and expanding their professional networks.

The programme offers:

• Full cost coverage for a two-week summer school training at Management Center Innsbruck

• Coverage for expert-led workshops

• A peer-to-peer mentoring component

• Seed funding of 500 EUR to support a changemaker project (released after successful submission of a project proposal)

• A certificate of achievement upon successful completion, signed by Ban Ki-moon and Heinz Fischer

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be citizens of one of the listed eligible countries

• Be aged 20 to 35 at the time of application

• Have completed at least a Master’s degree (in exceptional cases, completion of the first year of a Master’s programme may suffice)

• Demonstrate strong commitment to the SDGs and global citizenship

• Possess a minimum English proficiency level of B2 (European standards)

Application And Required Documents

During the nomination process, applicants will provide:

• Personal details, including education and language competence

• Professional information such as organisation and role

• Changemaker project information, including SDGs addressed and implementation strategy

At the final stage, applicants must upload:

• A motivational statement

• A portrait photograph (JPEG or PNG format)

• A short introduction video (maximum 60 seconds, MP4 or MOV format)

• Curriculum Vitae

• Project outline

Applications must be submitted through the official online application form. After submission, candidates will receive a confirmation email. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further steps.

Application Deadline

The deadline for submission is 4 March 2026.

Summary Of Key Details