FULLY FUNDED: Apply For The Trevor Noah Foundation Education Changemakers Program Cohort 3 (East and Central Africa) 2026

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FULLY FUNDED: Apply For The Trevor Noah Foundation Education Changemakers Program Cohort 3 (East and Central Africa) 2026

Applications are open for the Trevor Noah Foundation Education Changemakers Program Cohort 3, a prestigious fully funded leadership development opportunity designed for young education leaders across East and Central Africa who are committed to transforming learning outcomes in their communities. This highly competitive program is spearheaded by the Regional Leadership Center East Africa at Kenyatta University in partnership with the Trevor Noah Foundation, with support from the Oak Foundation, and is aimed at nurturing a new generation of changemakers working to strengthen education systems across the region.

The program is much more than a training opportunity. It is a transformative leadership journey that equips emerging education innovators, teachers, school leaders, policy advocates, and social entrepreneurs with practical tools, strategic networks, and mentorship support to strengthen their impact. Through immersive leadership development, coaching, and grant opportunities, participants are supported to design and scale education solutions that respond to challenges in their schools and communities. This initiative recognizes that young African leaders are already driving innovation in education and seeks to amplify and accelerate that impact.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link to apply.

Host Institution

Trevor Noah Foundation and Regional Leadership Center East Africa at Kenyatta University

Program Type

Fully Funded

Program Benefits

The Education Changemakers Program is fully funded and covers participation in a four-week immersive in-person leadership training program in Nairobi, where selected participants gain practical leadership skills, engage in live case studies, participate in site visits, and learn how to strengthen and scale their education initiatives. Participants attend the program without paying application or participation fees.

Beyond the residential training, participants receive six months of post-program support including coaching, mentorship, and access to small grants or seed funding opportunities to support implementation of school or community-based education initiatives. This extended support helps participants translate ideas into practical and sustainable impact.

Selected changemakers also join a growing pan-African alumni network of education leaders, opening access to long-term peer support, collaboration opportunities, professional networks, and continued learning opportunities. For applicants seeking not only training but also funding, mentorship, and a powerful regional network, this is an exceptional opportunity.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be young leaders between the ages of 18 and 35 who are actively working in or with the primary or secondary education sector. This includes teachers, school administrators, education-focused social entrepreneurs, policy advocates, nonprofit practitioners, researchers, and innovators developing solutions that improve education access or quality.

Candidates should demonstrate a clear commitment to improving education outcomes within their communities and show evidence of leadership, innovation, or impact through their work. The program seeks individuals who are not only passionate about education but also actively engaged in solving education-related challenges through practical initiatives.

Applicants must be proficient in English and willing to fully commit to all components of the program, including the four-week in-person residential leadership training in Nairobi, Kenya, as well as the six months of post-training coaching, mentorship, and engagement. The program is generally intended for first-time applicants and those who are not alumni of YALI Regional Leadership Center or Mandela Washington Fellowship programs.

Eligible Countries

This opportunity is open to applicants from 14 countries in East and Central Africa. Eligible countries include Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, and Central African Republic. Applicants must be nationals of one of these countries to be eligible for consideration.

Application Procedure

Click the official link below to apply for this opportunity

Official Link

https://trevornoahfoundation.org/applications-now-open-for-the-3rd-cohort-of-the-education-changemakers-program-in-east-and-central-africa/