If you are a young leader fighting to make healthcare accessible for everyone, this is the opportunity you have been waiting for. The Sandoz Scholarship 2026, offered in partnership with One Young World, will send five outstanding young changemakers to the One Young World Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, with every expense fully covered.
The One Young World Summit 2026 will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), with the Opening Ceremony at DHL Stadium.
No tuition. No flight costs. No hotel bills. Just you, your work, and a global stage.
WhatsApp ChannelTable of Contents
Quick Overview of Sandoz Scholarship 2026
| Detail | Information |
| Scholarship Name | Sandoz Scholarship 2026 |
| Organized By | One Young World + Sandoz |
| Summit Location | Cape Town, South Africa |
| Summit Dates | 3 – 6 November 2026 |
| Hotel Dates | 2 – 7 November 2026 |
| Number of Scholarships | 5 |
| Funding | Fully Funded |
| Open To | All Nationalities Worldwide |
| Age Requirement | 18 – 30 years |
| Application Opens | 23 March 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 27 April 2026 |
| Application Fee | None |
| IELTS Required | No |
Also Check: Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship 2026 in South Africa
What is the Sandoz Scholarship 2026?
The Sandoz Scholarship 2026 is a fully funded international scholarship for young leaders aged 18 to 30 who are actively working to improve global healthcare access, medicine affordability, or health innovation.
It is a joint initiative between One Young World, the world’s leading forum for young leaders, and Sandoz, the world’s top provider of off-patent medicines. Together, they are searching for five extraordinary individuals whose work is already making healthcare more equitable, innovative, or accessible and who deserve a global platform to amplify that impact.
Selected scholars will attend the prestigious One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town as part of the official Sandoz delegation, joining thousands of young leaders, heads of state, Nobel laureates, and global CEOs.
Also Check: One Young World Summit Roche Scholarship 2026
Who is Sandoz, and Why Does This Scholarship Matter?
Sandoz is not just a pharmaceutical company. It is the world’s largest provider of off-patent medicines, the affordable, generic versions of drugs that billions of people in low- and middle-income countries depend on every day.
Despite decades of medical progress, billions of people still lack access to basic healthcare and essential medicines. Global health data shows the world is off-track on universal health coverage and emergency health preparedness. The urgency to act has never been greater, and Sandoz believes that the solutions will come from young leaders on the ground, not just from boardrooms.
That is exactly what this scholarship is designed to support.
Also Check: Youth World Summit 2026 in Paris
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
This is a 100% fully funded scholarship. Selected scholars will receive:
- Full access to the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa
- Return economy flights to and from Cape Town
- Hotel accommodation from 2 November to 7 November 2026
- All meals — breakfast at the hotel, plus lunch and dinner on all core Summit days
- Ground transportation between the Summit venue and the hotel
- Exclusive Sandoz-hosted sessions before and during the Summit
- A dedicated Sandoz “buddy” to support networking and engagement throughout the event
There are no hidden costs. Everything is taken care of.
Also Check: Korea Youth Summit 2026 in Seoul
What is the One Young World Summit?
The One Young World Summit is one of the most influential gatherings of young leaders on the planet. Held annually in a different city, it brings together over 2,000 delegates from 190+ countries to collaborate on the world’s most pressing problems — from healthcare and climate change to inequality and education.
Past Summits have been addressed by world leaders including Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, Justin Trudeau, Paul Polman, and hundreds of other global figures.
In 2026, the Summit will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 3 to 6 November. It is a rare chance to speak, network, and collaborate at the highest levels of global leadership, and through the Sandoz Scholarship, you can get there for free.
Also Check: One Future Conference 2026 in Spain
Who Should Apply for the Sandoz Scholarship 2026?
The Sandoz Scholarship 2026 is specifically looking for young leaders working in — but not limited to — these areas:
1. Digital Health and AI Tools: Creating apps, platforms, or AI-driven tools that help underserved communities access healthcare, diagnose conditions, or connect to doctors.
2. Medicine Supply Chain Innovation: Designing better, faster, or cheaper ways to deliver essential medicines to remote, rural, or conflict-affected communities.
3. Health Education and Community Outreach: Running local health literacy programs, training community health workers, or educating underserved populations about preventive care.
4. Policy Advocacy for Affordable Healthcare: Campaigning for, researching, or influencing policies that make medicines more affordable and healthcare systems more equitable.
5. Social Enterprise and Healthcare Innovation: Building organizations, products, or models that close persistent gaps in healthcare access — especially for marginalized groups.
If your work touches any of these areas, you are exactly who Sandoz and One Young World are looking for.
Also Check: AstraZeneca Young Health Programme Impact Fellowship 2026 in South Africa
Eligibility Criteria for Sandoz Scholarship 2026
To qualify for the Sandoz Scholarship 2026, you must meet the following requirements:
- Age: Between 18 and 30 years old at the time of the Summit (candidates over 30 with exceptional impact may be considered)
- Commitment: Clear, demonstrated commitment to creating positive change in healthcare
- Leadership: Proven leadership potential — not just ideas, but action
- Awareness: Strong understanding of healthcare challenges in your community or globally
- Experience: Tangible, practical experience creating innovative solutions that reduce healthcare inequality or improve access to medicines
- Language: Good command of English (no IELTS or formal language certificate required)
- Nationality: Open to applicants from all countries worldwide
Note: Applications from individuals under 18 at the time of the Summit will not be accepted.
Also Check: Emerging Youth Forum 2026 in Thailand
How to Apply for the Sandoz Scholarship 2026
Applying is straightforward. Here is exactly what to do:
Step 1: Go to the official One Young World application portal at oneyoungworld.com
Step 2: Fill in your personal information accurately and completely
Step 3: Write a compelling short biography — who you are, where you come from, what drives you
Step 4: Answer all application questions within the specified word limits — be specific, concrete, and impact-focused
Step 5: Add links to relevant blogs, websites, or social media profiles that showcase your work
Step 6: Include links to any awards, recognitions, or media coverage you have received
Step 7: Complete the additional information section as requested
Step 8: Review everything carefully, then click Register to submit
Also Check: Youth Emerging Summit Turkey 2026
5 Tips to Write a Winning Sandoz Scholarship Application
This is where most applicants lose. Here is what separates strong applications from forgettable ones:
1. Lead with measurable impact, not intentions: Do not say “I want to improve healthcare.” Say “My program trained 200 community health workers in rural Punjab, reducing child mortality rates by 18% over two years.” Numbers win.
2. Connect your work directly to Sandoz’s mission: Sandoz cares about access to off-patent, affordable medicines and equitable healthcare systems. Show explicitly how your work aligns with this, not just “global health” in general.
3. Tell a story, not a CV: The reviewers read hundreds of applications. The ones that get remembered are the ones with a compelling personal narrative. Why did you start this work? What did you sacrifice? What changed?
4. Be specific about the Summit’s value to you: Explain exactly how attending the One Young World Summit will help you scale, strengthen, or spread your work. Generic answers like “I want to network” will not cut it.
5. Apply early: The deadline is 27 April 2026, but strong applications take time. Start now. Give yourself at least two weeks to draft, revise, and get feedback from someone you trust.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the Sandoz Scholarship 2026 open to all nationalities?
Yes. Applications are welcome from young leaders anywhere in the world.
What is the One Young World Summit?
It is a prestigious annual global forum that brings together 2,000+ young leaders from 190+ countries to collaborate on solving the world’s biggest challenges. The 2026 Summit takes place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 3–6 November.
Is there an application fee?
No. Applying for the Scholarship is completely free.
Can I apply if I am older than 30?
Most delegates are between 18 and 30. However, the One Young World team may consider applicants over 30 who demonstrate exceptional personal impact and initiative. Applications from anyone under 18 at the time of the Summit will not be accepted.
How many scholarships are available?
Five scholarships are available for the 2026 cycle.
What field do I need to be working in?
Your work must relate to healthcare access, medicine affordability, health innovation, or reducing healthcare inequalities. This includes digital health, supply chains, policy advocacy, community health programs, and more.
When will selected scholars be notified?
The official page does not specify an exact notification date. Keep an eye on your email after the 27 April 2026 deadline.
Do I need IELTS or a language certificate to apply?
No. There is no formal language test required. However, a good working knowledge of English is necessary since the Summit is conducted in English.
Can I apply for multiple One Young World scholarships?
Yes. You may apply for more than one scholarship, but you can only be selected to win one. Once accepted by one scholarship, you are no longer eligible for another.
Key Dates and Deadlines
| Milestone | Date |
| Applications Open | 23 March 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 27 April 2026 |
| Hotel Check-In | 2 November 2026 |
| Summit Begins | 3 November 2026 |
| Summit Ends | 6 November 2026 |
| Hotel Check-Out | 7 November 2026 |
Why You Should Apply Right Now
The Scholarship is not just a free trip. It is a career-defining moment. Here is what you stand to gain:
- International recognition for your healthcare work on a global stage
- Access to 2,000+ young leaders from 190+ countries — connections that last a lifetime
- Direct engagement with global decision-makers, policymakers, and innovators
- Visibility for your project or organization through the One Young World platform and media
- A Sandoz mentor and delegation network to support your work beyond the Summit
- Inspiration and strategic tools to scale your impact further than you could alone
Opportunities like this, fully funded, globally prestigious, and genuinely mission-aligned, do not come often. If healthcare equity is your work, this scholarship was built for you.
Apply through the official One Young World portal. For full program details, visit the official Scholarship page at oneyoungworld.com.
