The Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership

About the opportunity

The Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership calls on young individuals and youth-led organizations aged 20 and under living in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, the United States, and U.S. territories who are creating positive change in their schools or communities. Participants can share their ideas or existing projects addressing meaningful challenges, mobilize others around a shared purpose, and introduce creative solutions. The challenge offers multiple pathways to funding, including early application seed grants, finalist awards, and grand prizes. Winners also gain access to peer feedback, on-demand trainings, the opportunity to become a certified Ashoka Youth Venturer, and an invitation to attend an unforgettable in-person convening in the US or Kenya with all eligible travel and participation costs covered.

Funding and benefits

• Multiple pathways to funding, with opportunities for early applicants, finalists, and Grand Prize winners.
• United States Seed Grants: Up to 600 applicants applying by November 17 receive a $100 USD Civic Seed Grant.
• Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa Seed Grants: 25 eligible applicants from each country applying by October 10 receive a $50 USD Civic Seed Grant.
• United States Finalist Awards: 12 winners receive $500 USD Civic Promise Award; 10 finalists receive $1,000 USD Civic Impact Award; 2 grand prize winners receive $10,000 USD Civic Leadership Award.
• Kenya, Nigeria & South Africa Finalist Awards: 30 winners receive $250 USD Civic Promise Award; 30 finalists receive $1,000 USD Civic Impact Award; 6 grand prize winners receive $5,000 USD Civic Leadership Award.
• In-person convening for a total of 10 challenge winners in the US and 30 challenge winners in Kenya during July 2027, with Ashoka covering airfare, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, meals, and chaperone travel for eligible participants under 18.
• Peer feedback via the Challenge online platform and connections with other changemakers.
• Access to on-demand trainings, live support sessions, and office hours.
• Opportunity to become a certified Ashoka Youth Venturer and earn a Youth Venture Certificate.

Who can apply?

• Participants must be individuals aged 20 or younger by the end of the entry period (January 31, 2027).
• Applicants based in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa aged 17 or younger must have adult support to complete their application.
• Applicants in the United States aged 12 or younger must have adult support to complete their application.
• Participants must be located in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and/or the United States and U.S. Territories.
• Applications must be submitted in English.
• The submitted project must be youth-led, with the primary project lead under 20 years of age.
• Employees of the Andrew Carnegie Foundation or Ashoka, along with their children and grandchildren, are not eligible.

Required documents

• Project or idea submission detailing the initiative, vision, team, creativity, and impact.

When to apply

• Early Application Deadline for Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa (Seed Grants): October 10, 2026.
• Early Application Deadline for United States (Seed Grants): November 17, 2026.
• Final Deadline: January 31, 2027 (6pm-11:59pm EST / EAT).
• Information Sessions (US & Kenya/Nigeria/South Africa): September 13, 2026; October 5, 2026; November 3, 2026; December 17, 2026.
• Application Assistance Office Hours (US): September 27, 2026 and November 1, 2026.
• Reviewers to the Rescue Sessions: October 9, 2026 (Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa Early Deadline); November 17, 2026 (US Early Deadline); January 31, 2027 (Final Deadline).

How to apply

• Register and apply online via the Changemakers platform.
• Ensure adult support assists with the application if under the required age threshold based on location.
• Submit the application in English before the relevant early or final deadlines.

Additional information

• For inquiries, reach out via email at support@changemakers.com or via Instagram message at @ashokachangemakers. US participants aged 13 and older can text (571) 622-1066.