Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership 2027: Awards for Ages 5 to 20
- Study in
- Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, United States
- Levels
- Youth civic project award (ages 5 to 20)
- Funding
- Cash awards $50 to $10,000 (not a scholarship)
- Covers
- Cash awards, seed grants, training, peer feedback, Ashoka certification, funded in-person gathering for winners
- Who can apply
- Young people aged 5 to 20 located in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa or the US with a youth-led civic idea or project
- Run by
- Ashoka Changemakers, sponsored by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation
The Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership is a contest for young people aged 5 to 20 who lead, or plan to lead, a project that solves a problem in their school or community. Ashoka runs it on its Changemakers platform. The sponsor is the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, which gave Ashoka a grant for the challenge in 2026. Winners get cash awards of up to $5,000 in Africa and up to $10,000 in the United States. Every eligible applicant gets feedback, training and the chance to become a certified Ashoka Youth Venturer.
Status: Open, final deadline 31 January 2027 at 11:59pm. It is only open to young people in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and the United States (including US territories). Readers in Ghana or India cannot apply. The early seed grant deadline for Africa (10 October 2026) has passed, but you can still enter for the main awards (checked October 29, 2026).
What you can win
| Award | Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Civic Seed Grant (early new ideas) | $50 each, 25 per country, closed 10 Oct 2026 | $100 each, first 600, by 17 Nov 2026 |
| Civic Promise Award | $250 each, 30 winners | $500 each, 12 winners |
| Civic Impact Award | $1,000 each, 30 finalists | $1,000 each, 10 finalists |
| Civic Leadership Award (grand prize) | $5,000 each, 6 winners | $10,000 each, 2 winners |
| In-person gathering | Up to 30 winners, in Kenya, week of 26 July 2027 | Up to 10 winners, week of 12 July 2027 |
The African awards are split equally between Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. Ashoka covers eligible travel and participation costs for the gathering. A parent or guardian may travel with winners under 18.
Who can apply
- You must be between 5 and 20 by 31 January 2027.
- You must be located in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa or the United States, and your project must be designed and delivered there.
- The project must be youth-led. You can enter a new idea or an existing project.
- Applications must be in English.
- In Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, applicants aged 18 or under need an adult to help and give consent. In the US, this applies to applicants 13 or under.
- Employees of the Andrew Carnegie Foundation or Ashoka, and their children and grandchildren, cannot enter.
Key details
| Run by | Ashoka (Changemakers), sponsored by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation |
|---|---|
| Age | 5 to 20 |
| Countries | Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, United States |
| Top prize | $5,000 (Africa), $10,000 (US) |
| Final deadline | 31 January 2027, 11:59pm |
| Judging | Dream, team, creativity and changed world |
How to apply
- Read the official terms and conditions.
- Open the challenge page on Changemakers and click “Apply Now”.
- Create a Changemakers account. If you are a minor, do this with a parent, guardian or teacher.
- Choose whether you are entering a new idea or an existing project, then complete the form.
- Submit before 31 January 2027. Join an online info session or a review session if you want feedback first.
Tips before you apply
- Name one clear problem in your school or community and say who it affects.
- Show your team. Judges look at who is working with you, not only at you.
- For an existing project, give real numbers, such as people reached or events held.
- Winners may need to share bank details for payment, so plan this with an adult if you are young.
- Do not leave it to the last night. Ask questions through the page or @ashokachangemakers on Instagram.
Related guides
- Allianz MoveNow Social Innovation Challenge 2026: Grants for Founders 18 to 30
- 7 UK Universities With Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students 2027
- UK University Scholarships for International Students in 2027: Six Universities Compared
Details are taken from the official Ashoka Changemakers website, checked on October 29, 2026. Confirm the current rules there before you apply.
