The Hauwa Ojeifo Scholarship 2026 offers a fully funded opportunity for emerging young leaders who are dedicated to addressing urgent challenges facing women and girls. Applications are open until 27 March 2026. If you are passionate about creating positive change in areas such as mental health, gender-based violence, and reproductive rights, this scholarship could help you scale your impact.
The scholarship supports sixteen outstanding young leaders to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. Importantly, recipients gain access to a global platform, professional development, and funding opportunities to further their initiatives.
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Key Details
Application Deadline: 27 March 2026
Eligible Countries: Africa, Asia, Middle East
To be taken at (country): South Africa
About this Scholarship
Level of Study: Not specified – please see official page
The Hauwa Ojeifo Scholarship, now in its second year, empowers young leaders who work to solve deeply interconnected challenges affecting women and girls. The scholarship is delivered in partnership with the Hauwa Ojeifo Global Impact Fund for Women & Girls. The aim is to strengthen systems of care and promote the health and wellbeing of 100 million women and girls by 2030.
Scholars will join the One Young World Summit 2026, taking place from 3–6 November in Cape Town. The program includes lifelong membership in the One Young World Ambassador Community and access to leadership development resources.
Eligibility
- Young leaders aged 18–30 at the time of the One Young World Summit 2026*
- Leadership role in an organization or leading an initiative with proven impact in at least one of these areas:
- Mental health (including neurodivergence and developmental differences)
- Domestic and sexual violence
- Disability rights and rights of older people
- Gynaecological health and sexual/reproductive health and rights
- Maternal and child health
- Issues of the girl child (FGM, child/adolescent pregnancy, child marriage)
- Non-communicable diseases
- Live and make an impact in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East
- Willingness to engage with fellow scholarship recipients
- *Applicants over 30 may be considered if they demonstrate significant impact and engagement
- Applicants under 18 at the time of the Summit are not eligible
Number of Awards: 16
Value of Award: Fully funded participation (see below)
Duration of Award: Duration of the One Young World Summit (3–6 November 2026) and ongoing community benefits
Benefits
- Access to the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town
- Lifelong membership in the One Young World Ambassador Community
- Access to the Global Leadership Programme and Action Accelerator
- Opportunity to apply for up to $25,000 USD in grant funding
- Hotel accommodation for the Summit duration
- Return economy travel from your country of residence to Cape Town
- Catering (breakfast, lunch, dinner) throughout the Summit
- Transport between Summit accommodation and venue
Required Documents
- Completed online application
- Additional documentation and references may be required if longlisted
Award Provider: One Young World and Hauwa Ojeifo Global Impact Fund for Women & Girls
How to Apply
- Review the eligibility criteria and scholarship overview carefully on the official page.
- Prepare your application, ensuring you address each question clearly and concisely.
- Demonstrate your impact with tangible evidence and statistics where possible.
- Include links to your work, organization, or media coverage if available.
- Submit your application through the official portal before 27 March 2026.
- If longlisted, be ready to provide additional documentation or references.
👉 Visit the official scholarship page for details
