Global Citizen Prize- Cisco Youth Leadership Award 2026
Job Description
Opportunity Description
The Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award is a prestigious recognition established by Global Citizen in partnership with Cisco. It aims to honor a young leader aged between 18 and 30 who has made a significant impact in addressing global challenges—especially extreme poverty—through the innovative use of technology.
This prize does more than recognize individual achievement: the award amount—US $250,000—is paid directly to the organization with which the laureate is affiliated, enabling the scaling of meaningful programs.
The 2026 winner will be announced at Global Citizen NOW in New York City in May 2026.
Short Details in Table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Award Name | Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award 2026 |
| Organizers | Global Citizen & Cisco |
| Target Group | Individuals aged 18–30 using technology for social impact |
| Prize Amount | US $250,000 (paid to winner’s organization) |
| Application Period | November 5, 2025 – December 17, 2025 |
| Finalists | Up to 5 finalists |
| Winner Announcement | May 2026, Global Citizen NOW, New York City |
| Location | Global / Virtual application |
Scholarship (Award) Benefits
- A generous grant of US $250,000, awarded to the organization that the winner is affiliated with, to further scale their work.
- Increased global visibility and recognition of social impact efforts through Global Citizen’s platform.
- Networking and capacity-building opportunities via Global Citizen’s ecosystem.
- Validation of leadership, innovation, and commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Opportunity to inspire other young changemakers worldwide (Catalyst effect).
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for this award, candidates must satisfy the following criteria:
- Age: Must be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application.
- Organization Affiliation: Must be actively involved with an organization (nonprofit, for-profit, social enterprise, B-corp, etc.).
- Impact Track Record: Demonstrated measurable impact over the past 3–5 years, contributing to one or more Global Goals.
- Vision for Growth: Concrete and compelling plans for how to extend and scale the work in the next 3–5 years, including how the prize funds will accelerate this.
- Catalyst Potential: Ability to inspire and mobilize other young people toward global change.
- Global Citizenship: Embodies global citizen values (integrity, empathy, collaboration, problem-solving) in their work.
- Technology Innovation: Uses technology or internet-based communication in their project to magnify impact, improve efficiency, or expand reach.
- Geographical Eligibility: Open to applicants globally, excluding countries/entities under U.S. sanctions as per OFAC.
Required Documents
Applicants will need to prepare and submit the following:
- Personal and Organization Information: Basic details plus proof of identity (e.g., passport scan)
- Video Pitch: A 1–2 minute video (hosted e.g. on YouTube) explaining why the applicant deserves the prize and how their work aligns with SDGs.
- Written Responses: Short-answer questions (up to ~250 words each) about how their work meets the judging criteria (impact, vision, catalyst, citizenship, innovation).
- Organizational Information: Proof of the organization’s legal status (registration certificate, incorporation, or tax-exempt documentation).
- Letters of Recommendation: If selected as a finalist (up to 5), three letters (or video endorsements) from:
- A colleague
- A funder or operational partner
- A person impacted by their work
- Supplemental Information: May be requested for finalists (financials, additional organizational data, etc.).
Application Procedure
- Prepare your application: Gather your personal details, organizational documents, and a clear vision for how you’ll use the prize to scale your impact.
- Record your video: Create a 1–2 minute pitch video. Upload it to a public link (e.g., YouTube) to include in your application.
- Write your responses: Answer the short questions that describe how your work aligns with the award criteria. Be concrete, concise, and impact-focused.
- Submit the form: Complete the online application between 5 November 2025 and 17 December 2025 (deadline is 8 PM ET) via the Global Citizen website.
- If shortlisted: If you become a finalist (up to 5), upload or provide three letters of recommendation (or video endorsements) from the required people.
- Follow up: Finalists may be asked to provide additional materials or supplemental information.
The finalists will be notified around 2 February 2026. The winner will be publicly announced in May 2026 at the Global Citizen NOW event in New York City.
Official Link
Apply for the Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award Click Here to the Official website.
