Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership 2026–2027: Access Training, Seed Funding and Awards of Up to $10,000

Overview

The Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership 2026–2027 is a collaborative initiative developed by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation and Ashoka. It is designed to support young people who want to address local school or community problems and strengthen meaningful civic participation. Both early-stage ideas and existing youth-led initiatives are welcome.

Selected participants can access peer feedback, training, application support, and financial awards. Depending on the applicant's country and selection level, funding ranges from early-entry seed support to top awards of $10,000 in the United States and $5,000 in participating African countries. Eligible winners may also attend an in-person civic leadership convening in July 2027, with travel and participation expenses covered by Ashoka.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet specific age, residency, language, and youth-leadership criteria:

Age: Participants must generally be 20 years old or younger by January 31, 2027.
Residency: Applicants must currently reside in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, the United States, or a U.S. territory. Citizenship is not required.
Language: Applications must be completed and submitted in English.
Youth Leadership: The initiative must be driven primarily by the young applicant.
Parent or Guardian Consent: Stricter legal guidelines recommend that applicants aged 18 or younger in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, and those aged 13 or younger in the United States, arrange adult or guardian consent before submitting.

Benefits

Participants gain access to numerous developmental and financial advantages throughout the challenge:

Peer Feedback and Connections: Engage with other applicants and review submissions via the online platform.
Training and Support: On-demand training, information sessions, and office hours to strengthen submissions.
Ashoka Youth Venturer Certification: Opportunity to work toward certification, even without winning a financial award.
Multiple Funding Pathways: Opportunities for early-entry Civic Seed Grants as well as Civic Promise, Civic Impact, and Civic Leadership Awards.
Convening Travel Support: Fully supported travel, accommodation, and convening expenses for qualified finalists attending the July 2027 gatherings.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the official Ashoka Changemakers platform. Follow these steps to apply:

Visit the official challenge application portal.
Create a Changemakers account or sign in to an existing account.
Complete the application form in English, adhering to all posted word limits.
Save drafts regularly and review all responses carefully prior to final submission.

Deadline

Applicants should note both the regional early-entry deadlines and the final challenge deadline:

Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa Early Deadline: October 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
United States and U.S. Territories Early Deadline: November 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Final Application Deadline: January 31, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Overview

Eligibility

Applicants must meet specific age, residency, language, and youth-leadership criteria:

Age: Participants must generally be 20 years old or younger by January 31, 2027.

Residency: Applicants must currently reside in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, the United States, or a U.S. territory. Citizenship is not required.

Language: Applications must be completed and submitted in English.

Youth Leadership: The initiative must be driven primarily by the young applicant.

Parent or Guardian Consent: Stricter legal guidelines recommend that applicants aged 18 or younger in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, and those aged 13 or younger in the United States, arrange adult or guardian consent before submitting.

Benefits

Participants gain access to numerous developmental and financial advantages throughout the challenge:

Peer Feedback and Connections: Engage with other applicants and review submissions via the online platform.

Training and Support: On-demand training, information sessions, and office hours to strengthen submissions.

Ashoka Youth Venturer Certification: Opportunity to work toward certification, even without winning a financial award.

Multiple Funding Pathways: Opportunities for early-entry Civic Seed Grants as well as Civic Promise, Civic Impact, and Civic Leadership Awards.

Convening Travel Support: Fully supported travel, accommodation, and convening expenses for qualified finalists attending the July 2027 gatherings.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the official Ashoka Changemakers platform. Follow these steps to apply:

Visit the official challenge application portal.

Create a Changemakers account or sign in to an existing account.

Complete the application form in English, adhering to all posted word limits.

Save drafts regularly and review all responses carefully prior to final submission.

Deadline

Applicants should note both the regional early-entry deadlines and the final challenge deadline:

Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa Early Deadline: October 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

United States and U.S. Territories Early Deadline: November 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Final Application Deadline: January 31, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.