AFS Youth Assembly Scholarships for Changemakers & Educators

AFS Youth Assembly Scholarships

9-15 August 2026 | Geneva, Switzerland
For Changemakers and Educators (ages 18-35)

The AFS Youth Assembly is a global platform that brings together young leaders and changemakers, ages 18-35, from 100+ countries worldwide to collaborate through exchange, education, action, and impact. Participants join a dynamic community focused on advancing equality, sustainability, social empowerment, and youth-led change.

Learn more about the AFS Youth Assembly

The Youth Assembly offers several comprehensive theme-based Academies — specialized programs to deepen engagement and action beyond the general conference. Each Academy includes a pre-program virtual exchange certificate course (online) and culminates in an immersive, in-person workshop featuring seminars, site visits, and exclusive events.

100 scholarships are available for two of the 2026 Youth Assembly Academies: Changemakers and Global Educators. The Academies run alongside the main Youth Assembly program, giving participants the opportunity to build specialized skills, engage in hands-on learning, and deepen connection with peers and experts in their fields.

These scholarships are funded by bp as part of the broader AFS Global STEM Changemakers Initiative. Through specialized programming, training, mentorship, and volunteerism, the Initiative empowers young people, emerging professionals, and educators worldwide to develop leadership and intercultural skills, advance sustainable development, and drive positive social impact.

AFS Youth Assembly Academies

The Youth Assembly Academies are comprehensive theme-based experiences that deepen engagement beyond the general AFS Youth Assembly. 100 scholarships are available across two of the AFS Youth Assembly Academies in 2026: Changemakers and Global Educators.
All 2

Changemakers Academy

In partnership with the University of Pennsylvania Center for Social Impact Strategy (Penn CSIS), the Changemakers Academy convenes young leaders passionate about social innovation to provide hands-on training in creating, testing, and scaling impactful solutions to global challenges.

Over a two-day workshop, participants collaborate in small, multinational teams to develop a prototype addressing a significant global issue. Teams present their work to a panel of judges, and receive special certification from Penn CSIS.

08_17_24 Youth Assembly 5293

Global Educators Academy

Designed for teachers, education leaders, and learning catalysts for future generations, the Global Educators Academy brings together dedicated formal and non-formal educators to deepen practical learning and skill-building in global citizenship and intercultural education.

Through an in-depth, interactive workshop, participants strengthen their global and intercultural competencies, earn the AFS Global Competence Certificate, and develop concrete strategies to foster these skills in their students, institutions, and communities.

APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED

Announcement of Scholarship Results

Who can apply for a scholarship?

Youth Assembly scholarship applications will run from 12 December 2025 – 15 March 2026. Admission to the Changemakers Academy and Global Educators Academy at the 2026 AFS Youth Assembly are available through scholarship award only.

  • Changemakers Academy applicants must be alumni of AFS Global STEM programs, or bp employees whose work aligns with the Academy’s focus areas, including social innovation and sustainable development.
  • Global Educators Academy applicants must have a professional or academic background in education or teaching. This includes formal and non-formal educators, in-service teachers, teachers-in-training, intercultural trainers, and facilitators.

In addition, all applicants must meet the following criteria (see the accordion for more detail):

Youth Assembly participants must be 18-35 years old at the time of participation (and at least 18 years of age at the time of application).

08_13_23 YA – social media2374

What’s included in the Youth Assembly scholarship?

The AFS Youth Assembly Scholarship includes:

  • Full tuition to the AFS Youth Assembly and Academy into which you are selected
  • Up to $2,000 USD in reimbursement for travel and visa costs
  • Double-room hotel accommodation on-site
  • Most meals, including an exclusive Scholars Breakfast
  • Tuition to the Global Up online learning program
  • AFS Global Competence Certificate
08_12_22 YA-0241

Important Dates

  • Scholarship Applications Due: 15 March 2026
  • Winners Announced: 10 April 2026

Overall program duration is 22 June – 15 August, 2026

Part 1: 22 June – 2 August, 2026
    • A 5-week AFS Global Up virtual exchange and online learning program
    • Approximately 3 hours per week, completed on your own schedule
    • Weekly 90-minute live Zoom sessions with global peers
    • Activities include video modules, discussion forums, case studies, and quizzes.
    • Participants earn an AFS Global Competence Certificate.
Part 2: 9-15 August, 2026
    • After the virtual exchange online learning certification, participants will then travel to Geneva, Switzerland to participate in the AFS Youth Assembly and Academy into which they are selected.  The Academies will run from 9-11 August, and the general AFS Youth Assembly will run from 12-14 August, 2026.  Scholars should plan to arrive in Geneva on 9 August, and depart on 15 August.

Advancing Global Impact & Reach

AFS has proudly granted scholarships to the Youth Assembly through the Global STEM Changemakers Initiative since 2022:

437

scholarship recipients

75

countries represented

94%

demonstrated meaningful impact

Frequently Asked Questions

Read the FAQs here

If you have any questions, please refer to the FAQs above or email us at [email protected]

Explore other Global STEM programs

  1. AFS Global STEM Changemakers Initiative

  2. AFS Global STEM Accelerators

  3. AFS Global STEM Innovators

  4. AFS Global STEM Educators