The One Young World ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship 2026 is open now — and the deadline is 7 June 2026. If you are a young professional driving real impact in sustainability, climate action, biodiversity conservation, or responsible resource development, the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) and One Young World are offering full funding for selected leaders to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa.
The award covers all costs to attend the Summit and connects you with ICMM leadership, global changemaker networks, mentorship programmes, and the One Young World Ambassador Community. This is not a degree scholarship — it is a leadership fellowship for people already doing the work.
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One Young World ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship Summary
| Scholarship Overview | Scholarship Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | One Young World ICMM Young Leaders |
| Host Country ⇒ | South Africa |
| Study Level ⇒ | Fellowship |
| Benefits ⇒ | Fully Funded — Summit Attendance, Travel, Accommodation, Leadership Programmes, ICMM Network Access, Mentorship |
| Funded By ⇒ | International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) / One Young World |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | All Countries |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | 7 June 2026 |
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About the One Young World ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship
The ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship is a partnership between the International Council on Mining and Metals and One Young World — a global forum that connects young leaders with heads of state, CEOs, and internationally recognised figures to address the world’s most pressing challenges. ICMM is a global organisation that works with leading mining and metals companies to raise environmental and social standards across the industry, with a focus on reducing harm and improving long-term development outcomes in the communities and ecosystems where extractive industries operate.
The scholarship selects young people who are already creating measurable impact in sustainability-related fields — not those who intend to start. Focus areas include biodiversity conservation, decarbonisation and climate solutions, responsible mining and resource management, social performance and community development, and environmental sustainability. Selected scholars are brought to the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, where they participate in global leadership sessions, high-level dialogues with ICMM leadership including the CEO, and structured networking with other changemakers from around the world.
For Nigerian and West African applicants, this scholarship is worth serious attention. The extractive industries — oil, gas, mining, and related sectors — play a significant role across West Africa, and young professionals working on community development, environmental protection, or sustainability within or alongside these sectors are exactly the profile this scholarship targets.
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What the One Young World ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship Covers
Selected scholars receive:
- Full funding to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa — including travel and accommodation
- Access to global leadership sessions and structured networking at the Summit
- Exclusive dialogue with ICMM leadership, including the CEO
- Entry into the One Young World Ambassador Community — a long-term global network of over 15,000 delegates from 190+ countries
- Access to the Action Accelerator programme
- Leadership development through the Global Kickstart programme
- Long-term mentorship and access to global changemaker networks beyond the Summit
The scholarship is fully funded for Summit attendance — you will not pay for travel, accommodation, or registration. The longer-term value lies in the network and programmes you access after the Summit, which continue well beyond the event itself.
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Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the One Young World ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship 2026, you must meet the following:
- You must be a young leader with demonstrated, real-world impact in sustainability or a related field — not just academic interest or professional proximity to the sector.
- Your work must connect to at least one of the following focus areas: climate action or decarbonisation; biodiversity conservation; responsible resource production; social or community development; environmental sustainability.
- You must demonstrate leadership through concrete projects or initiatives — evidence of outcomes, not intentions.
- You must be available to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town in person. Scholars who cannot attend will not be selected.
Depending on your stage in the selection process, you may also be required to submit additional supporting documents, provide reference letters, record a short pitch video, or attend a virtual interview. These requirements are confirmed during the selection process — prepare for them in advance rather than waiting to be asked.
The key signal this scholarship looks for is impact already in motion. If your work in sustainability is still at the planning stage, this cycle may not be the right moment. Apply when you have a clear, demonstrable track record to present.
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Required Documents
Prepare the following before you begin your application:
- Completed online application form
- Personal statement or motivation essay
- Evidence of leadership or project impact — this could include reports, media coverage, data on beneficiaries reached, programme documentation, or any materials that demonstrate what your work has actually achieved
- Reference letters (if requested during the selection process)
- Pitch video (optional at first stage, may be required in later rounds)
- Additional supporting documents as requested during selection
A practical note on the evidence of impact: this is the most important part of your application. The selection committee is assessing whether your work is already delivering results. Vague descriptions of roles or intentions will not stand out. Be specific — name the initiative, describe what it does, state who it has reached, and show what changed because of it. Numbers, outcomes, and tangible examples carry significantly more weight than position titles or organisational affiliations.
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How to Apply
- Visit the official One Young World application portal and locate the ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship listing.
- Complete the online application form in full — cover all sections relating to your leadership experience, sustainability focus area, and project impact.
- Write your personal statement carefully. Address your specific focus area, what you have achieved, and what you intend to do with the Summit opportunity and the ICMM network.
- Gather your evidence of impact — project documentation, outcome data, media coverage, or any materials that demonstrate the real-world results of your work.
- Submit all requested supporting documents as directed by the portal.
- If shortlisted, prepare for a possible virtual interview or pitch video request — have a clear, concise summary of your work ready to deliver on camera.
- Submit your completed application before 7 June 2026.
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Application Deadline
7 June 2026
No submission time is published for this deadline. For Nigerian applicants, South Africa Standard Time (SAST, UTC+2) is one hour ahead of West Africa Time (WAT, UTC+1). If the portal closes at midnight SAST on 7 June, that is 11:00 PM WAT on 7 June. Submit your application well ahead of the deadline — online portals for competitive global fellowships frequently experience high traffic in the final hours, and technical delays will not be accepted as grounds for a late submission.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the One Young World ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The scholarship covers full costs to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, including travel and accommodation. Beyond the Summit, selected scholars gain access to the Action Accelerator programme, the Global Kickstart leadership programme, and the One Young World Ambassador Community — all included as part of the award.
Can Nigerian and West African young professionals apply for this scholarship?
Yes. The scholarship is open to applicants from all countries. Nigerian and West African professionals working in sustainability, community development, environmental protection, or responsible resource management — including those operating within or alongside the extractive industries sector — are strongly encouraged to apply.
Do I need to be working in the mining or extractive industries to apply?
No. ICMM’s focus areas extend well beyond direct industry roles. Young leaders working in biodiversity conservation, climate action, community development, or environmental sustainability — in any sector — are eligible. What matters is that your work connects meaningfully to one of the programme’s focus areas and that you can demonstrate real impact.
What is the One Young World Ambassador Community?
The One Young World Ambassador Community is a global network of over 15,000 delegates from more than 190 countries who have attended previous One Young World Summits. As a selected scholar, you gain permanent access to this network, along with ongoing mentorship opportunities, collaborative projects, and continued engagement with the leadership programmes beyond the Summit itself.
What does the selection process look like?
Applications are assessed on demonstrated leadership and impact, relevance to sustainability themes, the strength of your personal statement, innovation and scalability of your projects, and the clarity of your vision for future work. Shortlisted candidates may be asked to submit additional documents, record a pitch video, or attend a virtual interview. Prepare all of these in advance — waiting until you are asked will compress your preparation time significantly.
When is the One Young World Summit 2026, and where is it held?
The One Young World Summit 2026 is held in Cape Town, South Africa. Exact summit dates are confirmed on the One Young World website — check the official page for the current schedule. Selected scholars must be available to attend in person; remote participation is not an option for this award.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria were verified from the official One Young World ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship source as of June 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official source before submitting your application.
Official Application Portal
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