IB Global Youth Action Fund 2026 for Student Changemakers (Up To $3,000 USD Grant Funding)

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Applications are open for IB Global Youth Action Fund 2026. The International Baccalaureate (IB) has opened the annual application window for the Global Youth Action Fund. This award is available to secondary school students aged 12–19 who have developed projects or initiatives aimed at creating a positive social impact in their communities.

The IB Global Youth Action Fund 2026 is a grant and mentorship program providing up to $3,000 USD to student changemakers aged 12 to 19. It supports youth-led projects that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering financial backing and social entrepreneurship training. Applications are open to all secondary students globally and must be submitted by January 30, 2026.

Across every corner of the world, young people are rising to meet the challenges of our time with courage, creativity, and hope. The Global Youth Action Fund (GYAF) was created to support them.

Launched by the International Baccalaureate (IB) in 2023 the Global Youth Action Fund is a worldwide grant program providing financial and capability building support to young changemakers aged 12 to 19 who are transforming their projects into real impact in their communities. To date, the Global Youth Action Fund has awarded grants to over 290 projects led by more than 440 young people globally.

The fund is open to young people globally from schools and beyond who are driven by purpose and a desire to make a difference. Whether tackling climate change in Jakarta, advancing gender equity in Nairobi, or building digital inclusion in Lima, each project contributes to a shared movement of youth-led action and collective hope.

Selection Criteria

Every funded project must align with one or more of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is reviewed by an international panel of experts, educators, and youth leaders. Selection is based on:

Purpose and vision – addressing meaningful global or local challenges.
Innovation and creativity – offering bold, original approaches to change.
Impact and sustainability – demonstrating measurable potential for long term benefit.
Collaboration and leadership – engaging others to create shared solutions.

IB Global Youth Action Fund Benefits

The Global Youth Action Fund empowers young people to turn hope into action, transforming local ideas into global impact. Together, these projects form a living network of change, led by youth who are redefining what it means to be a global citizen in today’s world.

Selected students will receive:

Up to 3,000 USD in grant funding, dependent on project needs. Funding is dependent on what students request and what the IB Global Youth Action Fund committee decides.
Mentorship and connection with leaders in social entrepreneurship and other student awardees from around the world.

Eligibility Criteria for IB Global Youth Action Fund

Any secondary school student between the ages of 12 and 19 is eligible to apply.
Students are eligible to apply as individuals or groups, but they highly recommend students collaborate whenever possible.
Students do not need to be enrolled at an IB World School but must be enrolled in a secondary school at the time of the application deadline.

Application Timeline

Application Deadline: January 30, 2026 (local time).
Sponsor Letter Deadline: January 30, 2026.
Award Announcement: April 2026.
Grant Disbursement: May 2026.
Capacity Building/Mentorship: June – December 2026.
Reflection & Budget Review: November 2026.
Student Programming Ends: December 2026

How To Apply for IB Global Youth Action Fund

All applications must include the following items to be reviewed:

Application Form – Students will need to submit a completed application form on Submittable.
Pitch Deck – Students should put together a pitch deck no more than 8 slides that includes an introduction to the student or students applying, the problem they are trying to solve and their proposed solution, business model (how you plan to use the funding and why it is the best way to utilize it).
Recorded Video Pitch – Students should record pitch no longer than 3 minutes that explains their project and why they should be chosen. They are not required to use their pitch deck in the video.
School Support – Applications will require one school staff recommendation form. Preferences will be given to students who have an educator recommendation that demonstrates their support of the project in addition to their confidence in the students involved.

Late applications will not be considered. The application deadline is based on your local time as displayed on Submittable on the closing day.

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Application Deadline: 30 January 2026 23:59 CET time.