Ban Ki-moon Foundation – 9th Call for Applications The Ban Ki-moon Foundation is pleased to announce the 9th round of its Global Citizen Scholarship (GC Scholarship) Program 2026. This fully virtual scholarship empowers young changemakers to design and implement localized projects that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within their communities. The application deadline is March 5, 2026 (12:55 AM). Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply by March 4, 2026. About the Ban Ki-moon Foundation Global Citizen Scholarship The GC Scholarship is an 8–9 month program beginning in April 2026. It supports young leaders who are passionate about sustainable development, entrepreneurship, and social impact. The program selects 16 young changemakers (ages 20–35) from eligible countries across Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. These scholars will be joined by one student from Management Center Innsbruck (MCI University), forming a cohort of 17 participants. The scholarship is fully virtual but includes structured training, mentoring, and funding opportunities designed to strengthen both practical and leadership skills. Ban Ki-moon Foundation Global Citizen Scholarship: Program Benefits Selected Global Citizen Scholars will receive: Full cost coverage for a two-week summer school training with Management Center Innsbruck University Access to expert-led workshops and specialized trainings Peer-to-peer mentoring Networking opportunities with professionals and fellow changemakers Seed funding of €500 to support the implementation of a changemaker project (distributed after successful project proposal submission) A certificate of achievement signed by H.E. Ban Ki-moon and H.E. Dr. Heinz Fischer upon successful completion Throughout the program, scholars will deepen their understanding of the Agenda 2030 framework and the SDGs while strengthening their entrepreneurial skills for sustainable development. Ban Ki-moon Foundation Global Citizen Scholarship: Eligible Countries Applicants must hold citizenship in one of the following countries: Africa:Cameroon, Ethiopia, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe Middle East:Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates South Asia:Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka Southeast Asia:Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Vietnam Applicants must currently hold citizenship of one of the above-listed countries. Eligibility Criteria To qualify, applicants must: Be between 20 and 35 years old 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 program may suffice) Demonstrate strong dedication to the SDGs and global citizenship values Have a minimum English proficiency level of B2 (European standards) Candidates should demonstrate both leadership potential and a clear commitment to implementing a practical, community-based SDG initiative. Changemaker Project Requirement Applicants must propose a localized changemaker project addressing one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals. The project outline should clearly explain: The issue being addressed The relevant SDG(s) The implementation strategy The anticipated local impact Selected scholars will implement their project during the program, supported by mentorship and seed funding. Application Process The nomination process requires applicants to submit: Personal Information Name, contact details, date of birth, citizenship Education background Language competence Short personal profile Professional Information Academic titles Organization (if applicable) Current position or function Changemaker Project Information Project title SDGs addressed Implementation strategy and process At the final stage, applicants must upload: Motivational statement Portrait photo (JPEG or PNG) Introduction video (max. 60 seconds, MP4 or MOV) CV Detailed project outline Applicants may save their form as a draft and return later before final submission. Why Apply? The Global Citizen Scholarship offers more than funding it provides structured learning, global exposure, mentorship, and a strong professional network. Scholars gain hands-on experience in implementing sustainable development projects while strengthening their leadership and entrepreneurial capacities. If you are a passionate young changemaker committed to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in your community, this program offers a powerful platform to transform your ideas into action. Application Deadline March 5, 2026 (12:55 AM) For questions, contact:susanna.leitner@bankimoon.org Take the next step in your leadership journey and apply to become a Global Citizen Scholar 2026 LEARN MORE & APPLY HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization that is offering this fellowship. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.