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

Applications are now open for the Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership 2026–2027, an initiative supporting young people who want to create positive change in their schools and communities.

Developed through a partnership between the Andrew Carnegie Foundation and Ashoka, the challenge invites young changemakers from Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, the United States and U.S. territories to submit either a new idea or an existing youth-led initiative that addresses a community problem and strengthens meaningful civic participation.

Successful applicants can access seed funding, peer feedback, training, application support and financial awards. Depending on the applicant’s country and selection level, funding ranges from $50 in early-entry seed support to a top award of $10,000 in the United States. Selected participants may also attend an in-person civic leadership convening in 2027, with eligible travel and participation expenses covered by Ashoka.

The final application deadline is January 31, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Earlier deadlines apply to applicants who want to be considered for Civic Seed Grants. Applications are currently open through the official Changemakers platform.

Important Accuracy Note

As of September 3, 2026, the challenge’s main webpage and its legal Terms and Conditions publish a matching award structure. However, the separate FAQ page still contains a different award breakdown that appears not to reflect the current figures.

The funding details in this article therefore follow the current main challenge page and official Terms and Conditions. Applicants should recheck the official page before submitting because the organizers reserve the right to revise award details.

The official materials also contain minor inconsistencies concerning applicants who are exactly 20 years old, parent or guardian consent thresholds, and certain event dates. These discrepancies are explained below so applicants can take the safest approach.

What Is the Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership?

The Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership is designed to help young people recognize their ability to lead change within their own communities.

For the purpose of this challenge, civic leadership means identifying a meaningful school or community problem and working with other people to develop solutions, inspire action and produce a positive outcome.

Applicants do not need to be elected representatives, government officials or members of a formally registered organization. The opportunity is intended for young people who are taking action—or are ready to begin taking action—on issues affecting their communities.

The organizers are looking for ideas and initiatives that:

• Address an identifiable community-based challenge or opportunity.
• Encourage people to participate in solving local problems.
• Strengthen communities and civic participation.
• Mobilize other people around a common purpose.
• Offer a new idea or a creative approach to an existing issue.
• Demonstrate the potential to produce positive social change.
• Are led primarily by young people.
• Operate or will be implemented in an eligible country.

Both early-stage ideas and projects already producing results are welcome. An applicant does not need to have a long-established organization or an extensive impact record to participate.

Examples of Projects That Could Fit the Challenge

The official page does not restrict applications to one social issue or project sector. A suitable initiative could therefore address a wide range of local concerns, provided that it is youth-led, community-focused and connected to civic participation.

Potential areas may include:

• Youth participation in local decision-making.
• Community education and civic awareness.
• Environmental protection and community resilience.
• School safety and student well-being.
• Disability inclusion and accessibility.
• Gender equality and social inclusion.
• Community health education.
• Digital literacy and responsible technology use.
• Peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
• Voter or civic education, where legally appropriate.
• Food security and community-based agriculture.
• Support for refugees, migrants or underserved communities.
• Volunteerism and neighborhood improvement.
• Access to education and youth development.
• Community storytelling, journalism or public information.
• Intergenerational dialogue and social cohesion.

These are illustrative possibilities rather than an official list of approved themes. Applicants should concentrate on a real issue they understand personally and explain how their proposed action will involve others in creating change.

Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership Deadlines and Timeline

Applicants should distinguish between the early-entry deadlines and the final application deadline.

Early-entry deadlines

Young people who submit an eligible application by the applicable early deadline may be considered for a Civic Seed Grant:

• Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa: October 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
• United States and U.S. territories: November 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Applicants who miss an early deadline can still apply before the final deadline, but they may lose the opportunity to be considered for the corresponding early-entry seed funding.

Final deadline

• Final application deadline: January 31, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Published challenge timeline

The main challenge page presents the following schedule:

1. September 2, 2026: Applications open.
2. October 10, 2026: Early-entry deadline for Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
3. November 17, 2026: Early-entry deadline for the United States and U.S. territories.
4. January 31, 2027: Final application deadline.
5. February 1–March 5, 2027: Review period.
6. June 1, 2027: Winners expected to be announced.
7. July 2027: In-person convenings and summit activities.

The prize section provides more specific convening periods:

• The United States convening is expected during the week of July 12, 2027.
• The Kenya convening for selected participants from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa is expected during the week of July 26, 2027.

Applicants should rely on communications from the organizers for final travel dates and arrangements.

Benefits Available to Eligible Participants

The Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership offers more than financial prizes. All eligible participants can potentially benefit from learning, feedback and community-building opportunities.

1. Peer feedback and applicant connections

Participants can engage through the online challenge platform, connect with other applicants and review applications submitted by their peers.

This process can help young changemakers:

• See how other young people define community problems.
• Learn from different approaches to civic leadership.
• Improve their own project descriptions.
• Build connections with applicants working on similar issues.
• Develop confidence in giving and receiving constructive feedback.

2. Training and live application support

Applicants can access on-demand training intended to support their changemaking journey. The organizers also plan information sessions, office hours and other live support opportunities.

These resources can assist applicants with understanding the challenge, developing their ideas and strengthening their submissions.

3. Opportunity to become an Ashoka Youth Venturer

Every applicant has the opportunity to work toward becoming a certified Ashoka Youth Venturer, even if the applicant is not selected for a financial award.

Applicants who have already taken action on an idea that creates positive change in their school or community may be eligible for a Youth Venture Certificate. Those who have not yet reached the certification criteria may receive guidance intended to help them progress.

4. Multiple pathways to funding

The challenge provides separate funding opportunities for:

• Eligible early applicants.
• Civic Promise Award recipients.
• Civic Impact Award recipients.
• Civic Leadership Award recipients.

Receiving early seed funding does not automatically make an applicant a finalist. Early recipients can continue revising their applications until the final deadline and remain eligible for later-stage awards.

Early-Entry Civic Seed Grants

United States and U.S. territories

Up to 600 eligible applicants who submit by November 17, 2026, may each receive a $100 Civic Seed Grant.

Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa

Twenty-five eligible applicants in each participating African country who submit by October 10, 2026, may each receive a $50 Civic Seed Grant.

That represents:

• 25 potential recipients in Kenya.
• 25 potential recipients in Nigeria.
• 25 potential recipients in South Africa.

The seed grants are intended to help applicants take a practical next step toward testing, starting or developing their civic initiative while continuing through the challenge.

Financial Awards for Applicants in the United States

The main challenge page publishes the following award structure for the United States:

• 12 recipients: $500 each through the Civic Promise Award.
• 10 recipients: $1,000 each through the Civic Impact Award.
• 2 recipients: $10,000 each through the Civic Leadership Award.

Anyone receiving an award of at least $500 may be considered for an invitation to the United States convening. A total of 10 selected challenge winners are expected to receive invitations.

The gathering is scheduled for the week of July 12, 2027. It is intended to provide opportunities for participants to connect with other young civic leaders, develop skills and celebrate their work.

Financial Awards for Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa

A total of 66 published awards are to be distributed equally across Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa:

• 30 recipients: $250 each through the Civic Promise Award.
• 30 recipients: $1,000 each through the Civic Impact Award.
• 6 recipients: $5,000 each through the Civic Leadership Award.

When distributed equally, the published structure amounts to the following in each country:

• 10 Civic Promise Awards of $250.
• 10 Civic Impact Awards of $1,000.
• 2 Civic Leadership Awards of $5,000.

Anyone receiving an award of at least $250 may be considered for an invitation to the in-person convening in Kenya. Thirty selected participants from the three countries are expected to attend the gathering during the week of July 26, 2027.

Travel and Convening Support

For participants invited to an in-person gathering, Ashoka states that it will cover eligible travel and participation expenses, including:

• Airfare.
• Hotel accommodation.
• Ground transportation.
• Meals provided during the convening.
• Eligible chaperone travel for participants under 18, in accordance with the challenge rules.

The Terms and Conditions state that 40 challenge winners across the four participating countries are expected to attend the 2027 gatherings.

Applicants selected for the relevant finalist or winner pathway must be able to participate in the convening. The FAQ states that a person who cannot attend will not be eligible to become a challenge finalist.

If circumstances require the organizers to cancel an in-person event, they may replace it with a virtual event. Under such circumstances, an all-expenses-paid trip would not be provided.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the challenge’s age, residency, language and youth-leadership requirements.

Age requirement

The main eligibility summary says that participants must be 20 years old or younger by January 31, 2027.

However, another statement on the same page says that the “primary project lead” must be under 20. Because those two statements could be interpreted differently for applicants who are exactly 20, anyone who will be 20 on the final deadline should contact the organizers for written clarification.

Residency requirement

Applicants must currently reside in one of the following eligible locations:

• Kenya.
• Nigeria.
• South Africa.
• United States.
• A U.S. territory.

Citizenship is not required. For example, an eligible young person may be a legal resident, migrant or citizen of another country, provided the individual currently resides in an eligible location and satisfies all other requirements.

The initiative must also be designed and delivered in one of the eligible countries.

English-language requirement

Applications must be completed and submitted in English.

Youth-leadership requirement

The submitted initiative must be youth-led. The young applicant should be the person driving the idea, project or initiative, even when adults provide administrative, safeguarding or technical support.

New ideas and existing projects

Applicants may enter:

• A new idea they are preparing to put into action.
• An early-stage initiative that has begun testing its approach.
• An existing project already producing community impact.
• A youth-led organization or group helping community members participate in positive change.

Individual and team applications

Applicants do not need to have a teammate before applying. Nevertheless, “Team” is one of the evaluation criteria. A solo applicant should therefore explain how other people will be involved or provide a credible plan for building a team.

Previous Ashoka challenge winners

Young people who previously won another Ashoka youth challenge may apply if they meet all the requirements of the Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership.

Excluded applicants

Employees of the Andrew Carnegie Foundation or Ashoka are not eligible. Their children and grandchildren are also excluded.

Parent or Guardian Support: Use the Stricter Interpretation

The main eligibility page and FAQ state that:

• Applicants aged 17 or younger in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa need adult assistance.
• Applicants aged 12 or younger in the United States need adult assistance.

However, the legal Terms and Conditions use stricter thresholds. They indicate that parent or legal guardian consent is required for:

• Applicants aged 18 or younger in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
• Applicants aged 13 or younger in the United States.

Because the legal terms are stricter, the safest approach is for applicants aged 18 or younger in the three participating African countries and applicants aged 13 or younger in the United States to arrange adult or guardian support before submitting.

Adults are permitted to assist or apply on behalf of an eligible young person. The project must still genuinely be led by the young applicant.

How Applications Will Be Evaluated

The organizers identify four principal evaluation areas: Dream, Team, Creativity and Changed World. No public weighting is provided, so applicants should address all four areas clearly.

1. Dream

Reviewers want to understand the challenge or opportunity the initiative addresses and the applicant’s vision for positive change.

A strong submission should explain:

• The specific problem affecting the community.
• Who experiences the problem.
• Why the issue matters.
• What personal experience, observation or insight motivated the applicant.
• What a successful outcome would look like.
• Why the proposed initiative can contribute to that outcome.

Applicants should avoid describing only a broad global problem. They should connect the issue to a particular school, neighborhood or community.

2. Team

The initiative should mobilize people around a shared purpose. Reviewers want to see that the applicant can involve others, encourage collaboration and create opportunities for additional people to contribute or lead.

Applicants may describe:

• Existing team members and their responsibilities.
• Community partners, schools or organizations involved.
• People the project hopes to recruit.
• How young participants will help make decisions.
• How affected community members will shape the solution.
• How responsibilities will be shared.

A formal team is not mandatory at the application stage, but an applicant without one should present a practical team-building plan.

3. Creativity

The project should introduce a new idea, offer a fresh perspective or apply an inventive variation to an existing solution.

Creativity may appear in:

• The proposed solution.
• The method used to deliver activities.
• The way participants are recruited or engaged.
• The use of available technology or community resources.
• The way an existing model is adapted to local circumstances.
• The project’s willingness to test, learn and improve.

Applicants do not need to claim that nobody has ever attempted a similar initiative. They should instead explain what is distinctive or contextually relevant about their approach.

4. Changed World

The organizers apply this criterion differently to new ideas and existing projects.

For a new idea, reviewers are looking for:

• Potential to make a positive difference.
• A realistic path from idea to action.
• Evidence of the applicant’s commitment.
• Early learning, testing or traction where available.

For an existing project, reviewers are looking for:

• Progress already achieved.
• Evidence of positive change.
• Potential for the impact to continue.
• Opportunities to deepen or expand the work.
• A sustainable plan for the next stage.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the Ashoka Changemakers online platform.

Step-by-step application process

1. Visit the official Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership page.
2. Select the “Apply Now” button.
3. Create a Changemakers account using an email address, username and password, or sign in if an account already exists.
4. Access the Carnegie Challenge application form.
5. Complete the application in English.
6. Follow the word limit displayed beside each question.
7. Save the application as a draft regularly.
8. Review all responses before submitting.
9. Submit before the appropriate early deadline if seeking seed-grant consideration.
10. Make any necessary corrections before the final deadline.

The verified direct account-registration route is available on the Changemakers application portal.

The FAQ states that applicants can save drafts and edit a submitted entry until the final deadline. Applicants should nevertheless avoid waiting until the closing hours because account, consent or technical issues may take time to resolve.

What Applicants Should Prepare

The complete application questions are displayed after applicants create an account and enter the application form. Based on the published evaluation and platform information, applicants should be prepared to provide:

• A clear project or initiative title.
• A concise description of the community problem.
• The applicant’s personal motivation or defining insight.
• A description of the proposed solution.
• The initiative’s sector, theme or focus area.
• The project’s current stage.
• Information about the people or community affected.
• Details about existing or planned team members.
• An explanation of how other people will participate.
• Evidence of progress if the project already exists.
• A realistic plan for creating, continuing or expanding impact.
• An explanation of what is innovative about the approach.
• A suitable cover image.
• School or organizational information where applicable.
• A presentation video if included or requested.
• Adult or guardian information where required.

Applicants should not invent statistics or exaggerate results. For an early-stage idea, a credible plan is more useful than unsupported claims of large-scale impact.

Information Sessions and Applicant Support

The organizers plan information sessions for the United States and the three participating African countries.

Published United States information sessions

• September 13, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
• October 5, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
• November 3, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
• December 17, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Published sessions for Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa

• September 13, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. East Africa Time.
• October 5, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. East Africa Time.
• November 3, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. East Africa Time.
• December 17, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. East Africa Time.

United States application-assistance office hours

The webpage also lists two-hour office-hour sessions for United States applicants:

• September 27, 2026, from 7:00–9:00 p.m. Eastern Time or 4:00–6:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
• November 1, 2026, from 7:00–9:00 p.m. Eastern Time or 4:00–6:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

The page contains inconsistent weekday labels beside some support-session dates. Applicants should therefore confirm the date, weekday, time zone and registration status directly on the live resources section of the challenge page.

Funding Conditions and Recipient Responsibilities

Financial support is intended to advance the initiative described in the recipient’s application.

Seed-grant recipients and later-stage award recipients may be required to:

• Sign a funding agreement.
• Explain how the money was used.
• Submit progress and impact updates.
• Provide expenditure information.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation.
• Meet reasonable publicity and communications requirements.
• Use the award to advance the submitted initiative.
• Comply with applicable national and local laws.

Awards are provided as gross amounts. Recipients are responsible for understanding and paying any applicable income, social-security or indirect taxes in their country of tax residence.

The organizers retain discretion over awards and reserve the right to change award details. Applicants should read the full Terms and Conditions before accepting funding.

Privacy and Public Application Information

Applicants should understand that parts of their submissions may be made visible to other applicants or the public.

According to the Terms and Conditions, publicly displayed information may include:

• Username.
• Profile photograph.
• Country, city and state.
• Initiative title.
• Initiative cover image.
• Project description.
• Sector, theme or focus.
• Project stage.
• School information.
• Project category.
• Presentation video, if included.

Challenge jurors and peers involved in community review may access application information during the review process.

Bank details requested from awardees are intended for grant disbursement and are not listed as public information. Applicant information may be retained for up to seven years or for any longer period required by applicable law.

Applicants, particularly minors and their supporting adults, should review the platform’s privacy policy and avoid placing unnecessary private information in publicly visible project descriptions.

Intellectual Property and Communications Rights

Applicants retain their individual intellectual-property rights in original work submitted through the challenge.

However, every applicant must ensure that:

• The submitted work is original, or the applicant has permission to use it.
• Photographs, music, video and written materials do not violate another person’s rights.
• Written consent has been obtained for protected material where required.
• The entry complies with applicable laws.

The Terms also allow the challenge partners to share and promote publicly submitted entry information. This may include the applicant’s name, likeness, project information, photographs, recordings and other publicly provided materials through websites, publications, journalism and social media.

Applicants should read these provisions carefully before submitting media involving children or identifiable community members.

Contact and Technical Support

Questions about eligibility, consent, application problems or technical difficulties can be directed to:

• Email: civicleadershipchallenge@ashoka.org
• Instagram: @ashokachangemakers
• United States text support: (571) 622-1066 for young people aged 13 and older

Applicants should contact the organizers directly if they:

• Will be exactly 20 years old on January 31, 2027.
• Are uncertain whether adult consent is required.
• Cannot access or submit the form.
• Do not receive an expected guardian-consent email.
• Need clarification about convening attendance.
• Find that a support-session date or registration link does not match the published schedule.

Practical Application Tips

To develop a stronger application:

1. Start with a specific community problem rather than a broad global issue.
2. Explain the personal observation or experience that led to the idea.
3. Show that affected community members will participate in shaping the solution.
4. Describe what makes the proposed approach different or locally appropriate.
5. Include evidence where available, but do not exaggerate early results.
6. Present realistic next steps, responsibilities and timelines.
7. Explain how seed funding or a larger award would move the initiative forward.
8. Address all four evaluation areas: Dream, Team, Creativity and Changed World.
9. Arrange parent or guardian support early if it may be required.
10. Save the application frequently and submit before the final hours.
11. Apply by the regional early-entry deadline to preserve seed-grant eligibility.
12. Recheck the live challenge page for corrections or changes before submitting.

Conclusion

The Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership 2026–2027 offers young people an opportunity to turn community concerns into practical action. It welcomes both new ideas and existing initiatives, making it relevant to applicants who are just beginning their changemaking journey as well as those already leading community projects.

Participants can benefit from training, peer engagement, feedback, potential Ashoka Youth Venturer certification and multiple funding pathways. Early applicants may receive small seed grants, while later-stage recipients can access awards of up to $10,000 in the United States and up to $5,000 in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. Selected young leaders may also participate in fully supported in-person gatherings during July 2027.

Eligible applicants should review the legal conditions, prepare a clear explanation of their community problem and solution, and apply early whenever possible. The final deadline is January 31, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Official reference and application page: Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership

For more global opportunities, click HERE.