Ilia Calderón Scholarship 2026
Photo: One Young World

Ilia Calderón Scholarship 2026 for Latin America and the Caribbean for Young Leaders

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The Ilia Calderón Scholarship 2026 is a fully funded leadership opportunity for young professionals and social impact leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean. It is part of the One Young World Summit 2026 and supports selected participants to attend the global summit in Cape Town, South Africa. The program focuses on young leaders who are already running initiatives that address social, economic, or community challenges in their countries.

The scholarship is offered by One Young World in partnership with the Jang-Calderón Family Foundation. It is designed for individuals who are creating practical solutions at the community level and showing measurable impact. Selected participants join a global network of changemakers and engage with policymakers, business leaders, and social innovators during the summit.

Only two candidates are selected for this scholarship, making it a highly competitive opportunity. Applicants are evaluated based on leadership experience, the quality of their initiatives, and their contribution to community development.

Overview of the Ilia Calderón Scholarship 2026

Host Organization: One Young World and Jang-Calderón Family Foundation
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Dates: 3–6 November 2026
Eligible Region: Latin America and the Caribbean
Application Deadline: 15 June 2026
Number of Awards: 2

Also Check: Kazan Global Youth Summit 2026 in Russia

Benefits of the OYW Ilia Calderón Scholarship 2026

Selected candidates receive full funding to attend the One Young World Summit in Cape Town. The support covers all major expenses related to participation.

Financial Coverage

  • Round-trip economy international airfare
  • Hotel accommodation in Cape Town (single room)
  • Visa fees (if applicable)
  • Meals during the summit days
  • Local transport between the hotel and the venue

Program Access

  • Full access to the One Young World Summit 2026
  • Entry to the opening and closing ceremonies
  • Participation in all official summit sessions
  • Translation support (English to Spanish) during key plenary sessions

The program also provides direct exposure to global organizations and leadership networks working across education, climate, equality, and innovation.

Also Check: China Youth Summit 2026 in Shenzen

Eligibility Criteria for Ilia Calderón Scholarship 2026

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Nationality and Age

  • Must be from an eligible country in Latin America or the Caribbean
  • Must be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of the summit
  • Applicants above 30 may be considered in exceptional cases based on impact

Leadership Requirements

  • Must demonstrate active involvement in a social impact initiative
  • Should have experience in community-based or organizational leadership
  • Must show clear evidence of measurable impact

Selection Criteria

  • Strong commitment to solving local or regional challenges
  • Innovative approach to social or community issues
  • Proven leadership track record
  • Ability to contribute to global discussions at the summit

Also Check: One Young World ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship 2026

How to Apply for the Ilia Calderón Scholarship 2026

The application process is fully online through the official One Young World platform.

Application Steps

  • Visit the official One Young World scholarship page
  • Fill out the online application form
  • Provide details of your leadership work and initiative
  • Clearly explain the impact and outcomes of your project
  • Submit supporting evidence of achievements
  • Review the application before final submission

Applicants are encouraged to present clear, outcome-based examples of their work rather than general descriptions.

Ilia Calderón Scholarship 2026 Deadline

Last date to apply: 15 June 2026


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