Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award 2026 ($250,000 Prize)

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Applications are open for Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award 2026. The Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award, is an initiative by Cisco and Global Citizen that celebrates young changemakers leveraging technology to combat extreme poverty and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The award honors an inspiring individual aged 18 to 30 who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and measurable impact in driving global change. The winner will receive a US$250,000 prize, paid directly to the organization they work with, to further scale their initiatives. The recipient will be unveiled at Global Citizen NOW 2026, taking place in May 2026 in New York City.

Cisco Youth Leadership Award Prize

US$250,000 grant awarded to the winner’s organization to help scale their impact and sustainability efforts.

Eligibility Criteria for Cisco Youth Leadership Award

Applicants must:

Be 18–30 years old at the time of application.
Have a track record of measurable impact over the past 3–5 years in advancing one or more Global Goals.
Present a clear vision and actionable plan for how to expand their work over the next 3–5 years, including how the prize will accelerate their impact.
Use technology or Internet-based communication to enhance reach, efficiency, and overall impact.
Inspire other young people to contribute to achieving the Global Goals.
Embody the values and spirit of a Global Citizen and Global Problem Solver.

Selection Criteria

IMPACT
- Demonstrated track-record of measurable impact at scale over the last 3-5 years advancing one or more of the Global Goals.
VISION
- Compelling vision and concrete plans for how to extend this work in the next 3-5 years, including how the prize will advance efforts.
CATALYST
- Inspires other young people to have an impact on achieving one or more of the Global Goals
GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP
- Demonstrates the values and embodies the spirit of a Global Citizen and a Global Problem Solver
TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION
- Innovates with technology or Internet-based communications to improve efficiency, reach, and magnify impact.

How To Apply for Cisco Youth Leadership Award

The application consists of four parts: (1) About You: Personal and Organization Information, (2) Pitch (3) Description of how your work aligns with the Judging Criteria (4) Supplemental Organizational Details.
For the first part, you will be required to submit basic information about you and your organization and a scanned copy of your passport.
For the second part, you must explain why you deserve this award and provide us with a 1-2 minute video of your pitch.
For the third part, you will be required to answer 5 short answer questions about your work and you will describe in 250 words or less, how you have achieved each one of the Prize’s criteria.
And for the fourth part, you will submit proof of your organization’s registration details including the certificate of registration, incorporation or tax exemption and other supplemental information.

Click Here to Apply and for more details

Application Deadline:December 17, 2025