Ashoka Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership 2027
Ashoka Changemakers × Carnegie Corporation of New York
Seed grants and awards up to $10,000 for changemakers aged 5–20 in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and the US.
Bookmarking and application reminders live in the Togeva app.
At a glance
- Funding
- Seed grants, awards up to $10,000, funded convening
- Format
- Online
- Application fee
- No application fee
- Deadline
- Closes 31 Jan 2027, 23:59 New York time
- Language
- English
Early applicants with new ideas get seed grants ($50 in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa; $100 in the US). In the three African countries, 30 winners receive $250, 30 finalists receive $1,000, six grand prize winners receive $5,000, and 30 people are flown to an in-person convening in Kenya. US figures run higher, up to $10,000 for two grand prize winners. Every participant gets training, live support sessions and peer feedback.
Who can apply
- O Level students, A Level students, University students
- KE, NG, ZA, US
- Aged 20 and under
- English
You will need
- Changemakers platform registration
- A description of your civic project or idea
- Adult support if you are 18 or under (13 or under in the US)
About this opportunity
Ashoka and the Carnegie Corporation run an open challenge for young people already doing something about a civic problem in their community — or with a serious idea for one. There is no minimum project size; the point is that you have started.
Two dates. Early deadline 17 November 2026 for new ideas eligible for seed grants. Final deadline 31 January 2027. Applying early gets you money and feedback sooner, so treat November as the real target.
Who can apply. Ages 5 to 20, living in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, or the United States and its territories. In the three African countries, applicants 18 and under need an adult to help complete the form; in the US that threshold is 13 and under.
What is on offer, for the African cohort. Seed grants of $50 for the first 25 early applicants per country; $250 for 30 winners; $1,000 for 30 finalists; $5,000 each for six grand prize winners; and 30 people flown to an in-person convening in Kenya with airfare, hotel, transport and meals covered. US awards run to $10,000 for two grand prize winners.
Everyone gets something. All eligible participants get peer feedback on the Challenge platform, on-demand training, live support sessions, and the chance to be certified as an Ashoka Youth Venturer.
Cameroon is not on the country list. Ashoka runs other youth challenges with wider reach — worth watching changemakers.com for the next one.
The deadline time is not published; the countdown assumes end of day US Eastern, so submit on 31 January at the latest.
Topics
Bookmarking and application reminders live in the Togeva app.