Applications have opened for the 2026 One Young World Hauwa Ojeifo Scholarship. Now entering its second year, this scholarship was established to support young changemakers who are actively responding to the urgent and closely connected challenges affecting women and girls worldwide. It is designed to strengthen emerging leaders by providing the resources, learning, and global visibility needed to drive meaningful and lasting change. The programme supports individuals working on issues such as child marriage, gender-based violence, and mental health inequality, with the aim of nurturing a new generation of compassionate, bold, and forward-thinking leaders committed to building a fairer, more inclusive world.

This opportunity is delivered by One Young World in collaboration with the Hauwa Ojeifo Global Impact Fund for Women & Girls. The Impact Fund is led by mental health advocate and One Young World Ambassador Hauwa Ojeifo and is focused on improving systems of care and wellbeing for 100 million women and girls by 2030.

They are seeking sixteen outstanding young leaders who are committed to tackling the complex and overlapping challenges that women and girls face today. Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of the One Young World Summit 2026, although candidates above 30 may still be considered if they can demonstrate strong personal impact, clear initiative, and genuine willingness to engage with others.

Applicants should be actively leading, working within an organisation, or driving their own initiative, with proven results in at least one relevant area. These areas include mental health, including neurodivergence and developmental differences, domestic and sexual violence, disability rights and the rights of older people, gynaecological health and sexual and reproductive health and rights, maternal and child health, issues affecting the girl child such as FGM, child and adolescent pregnancy, and child marriage, as well as non-communicable diseases.

To be eligible, candidates must live and be creating impact in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East, and they must be willing to actively connect and collaborate with other scholarship recipients. Applications from individuals who will be under 18 at the time of the Summit cannot be accepted.

Successful scholars will receive full support to attend the One Young World Summit 2026, taking place in Cape Town, South Africa from 3 to 6 November. They will also gain lifelong membership in the One Young World Ambassador Community and access to the One Young World Global Leadership Programme and Action Accelerator. In addition, they will have the chance to apply for grant funding of up to $25,000 USD.

The scholarship package also covers hotel accommodation for the entire Summit period, return economy flights from the scholar’s country of residence to Cape Town, and daily meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the event. Transport between the Summit accommodation and the Summit venue will also be provided.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity