What is the deadline for the 2026 ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship?

The deadline to submit your application is June 7, 2026.

Who is eligible to apply for this scholarship?

Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of the summit and working on projects related to biodiversity, decarbonisation, natural resource production, social performance, or sustainability communication.

What does the scholarship cover?

The scholarship provides full funding for attendance at the One Young World Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, from November 3–6, 2026.

The Core Insight

The ICMM and One Young World have launched the 2026 Young Leaders Scholarship, offering full funding for impactful young professionals to attend the One Young World Summit in Cape Town. The program targets individuals aged 18-35 who are driving change in sustainability, biodiversity, and social performance.

The 2026 ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship: Your Path to Global Impact

If you have spent time working in sustainability, you know the gap between "having a good idea" and "creating systemic change" is often a chasm. I have spent years observing how professionals struggle to find the right platform to scale their initiatives. The barrier is rarely a lack of passion; it is a lack of access to the rooms where critical decisions are made. The 2026 ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship is designed to bridge that gap, much like other global leadership opportunities that aim to connect emerging talent with industry experts.

What You Need to Know

The Goal: Identify and support young leaders (ages 18–35) driving change in sustainability and natural resource management.
The Deadline: Submit your application by June 7, 2026.
The Reward: Full funding to attend the One Young World Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, from November 3–6, 2026.
The Network: Gain lifetime access to the One Young World Ambassador community and direct mentorship from industry leaders.

The partnership between the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) and One Young World is a deliberate effort to bring disruptive perspectives into the conversation surrounding natural resource production. The traditional top-down approach is shifting toward collaborative, community-led solutions, and this scholarship is the primary vehicle for that transition. For those looking to build a career in research-heavy fields, this complements other prestigious fellowship programs that prioritize tangible, real-world impact.

what do you mean? text on gray surface — Young leaders are increasingly driving the conversation on sustainable natural resource management.
(Credit: Jon Tyson via Unsplash)

How I Researched This

To provide an accurate breakdown, I cross-referenced official program guidelines against the core requirements set by the ICMM and One Young World. My process involved verifying eligibility, focus areas, and logistical details of the 2026 summit. I have stripped away marketing language to focus on tangible benefits and specific expectations, ensuring you have an objective view before investing time in the application.

Eligibility: Do You Qualify?

This is not a program for those merely "interested" in sustainability; it is for those already in the trenches. You must be between 18 and 35 at the time of the summit. Your work must align with one of these five core pillars:

Biodiversity Conservation: Protecting ecosystems and promoting restoration.
Decarbonisation: Strategies to reduce carbon footprints in industrial or community settings.
Responsible Natural Resource Production: Improving the ethics and efficiency of extraction and supply chains.
Social Performance: Focusing on human rights, community resilience, and local empowerment.
Sustainability Communication: Effectively translating complex data into actionable public awareness.

Is the Trade-off Worth It?

Applying for a global scholarship is a significant time investment. However, consider the value of the "Action Accelerator" and the exclusive dialogue with the ICMM CEO. The true value of these summits is the ability to bypass years of trial and error by learning directly from mentors who have navigated the challenges you currently face. If you are serious about a career in global sustainability, the return on this time investment is substantial, similar to the career-defining benefits found in advanced research fellowships.

text — Networking at global summits provides access to mentors and industry leaders.
(Credit: Pete Alexopoulos via Unsplash)

The 5 Key Benefits of the Scholarship

Beyond the travel, the program offers a structured path for professional growth. Here is what you receive:

Full Funding: All costs associated with attending the summit in Cape Town are covered.
Executive Access: A rare opportunity for direct dialogue with the ICMM CEO.
Lifetime Membership: You become a permanent part of the One Young World Ambassador community.
Action Accelerator: Access to expert-led sessions designed to turn project ideas into reality.
Global Kickstart: A specialized leadership training program that aligns your skills with the summit’s core themes.

The Practical Checklist

Audit Your Impact: Quantify your results. State how many hectares were protected or how many community members were trained.
Align with the Pillars: Ensure your narrative explicitly mentions one of the five focus areas.
Prepare Your References: Have someone who can vouch for your leadership and the tangible outcomes of your work.
Refine Your "Why": Be prepared to explain why you need this specific mentorship to take your project to the next level.

What Most People Get Wrong

Many applicants believe they need a "perfect" project that has already solved a massive global problem. That is a mistake. The selection committee is looking for potential and demonstrated commitment. They want to see that you are a person who takes initiative, even if your project is in its early stages. Do not wait until you have "saved the world" to apply; apply when you have a clear, evidence-based plan that needs the support of a global network to succeed.

Feature Insight

The Decision Matrix

If you have a project with measurable results: Apply immediately. You are the ideal candidate.
If you have a great idea but no track record: Spend the next few months launching a pilot program or volunteering in a leadership capacity, then apply for future cycles.
If you are unsure about your focus area: Review the five pillars again. If your work doesn't fit into one of those categories, this specific scholarship may not be the right match for your current goals.

My Recommended Setup

Notion: Essential for tracking project milestones and drafting application narratives.
Trello: Great for visualizing the timeline of your initiatives and ensuring you meet internal deadlines.
Google Scholar: Use this to back up your project’s claims with peer-reviewed research, which adds significant weight to your application.

What Do You Think?

The transition toward sustainable natural resource production is one of the most complex challenges of our time. Do you believe that young leaders have the necessary influence to change industry standards, or is the system too rigid for individual impact? I will be replying to every comment in the first 24 hours, so let’s discuss your perspective on the role of youth in global policy.

Apply here

The 2026 ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship: Your Path to Global Impact

What You Need to Know

The Goal: Identify and support young leaders (ages 18–35) driving change in sustainability and natural resource management.
The Deadline: Submit your application by June 7, 2026.
The Reward: Full funding to attend the One Young World Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, from November 3–6, 2026.
The Network: Gain lifetime access to the One Young World Ambassador community and direct mentorship from industry leaders.

How I Researched This

Eligibility: Do You Qualify?

Biodiversity Conservation: Protecting ecosystems and promoting restoration.
Decarbonisation: Strategies to reduce carbon footprints in industrial or community settings.
Responsible Natural Resource Production: Improving the ethics and efficiency of extraction and supply chains.
Social Performance: Focusing on human rights, community resilience, and local empowerment.
Sustainability Communication: Effectively translating complex data into actionable public awareness.

Is the Trade-off Worth It?

The 5 Key Benefits of the Scholarship

Beyond the travel, the program offers a structured path for professional growth. Here is what you receive:

Full Funding: All costs associated with attending the summit in Cape Town are covered.
Executive Access: A rare opportunity for direct dialogue with the ICMM CEO.
Lifetime Membership: You become a permanent part of the One Young World Ambassador community.
Action Accelerator: Access to expert-led sessions designed to turn project ideas into reality.
Global Kickstart: A specialized leadership training program that aligns your skills with the summit’s core themes.

The Practical Checklist

Audit Your Impact: Quantify your results. State how many hectares were protected or how many community members were trained.
Align with the Pillars: Ensure your narrative explicitly mentions one of the five focus areas.
Prepare Your References: Have someone who can vouch for your leadership and the tangible outcomes of your work.
Refine Your "Why": Be prepared to explain why you need this specific mentorship to take your project to the next level.

What Most People Get Wrong

Feature Insight

The Decision Matrix

If you have a project with measurable results: Apply immediately. You are the ideal candidate.
If you have a great idea but no track record: Spend the next few months launching a pilot program or volunteering in a leadership capacity, then apply for future cycles.
If you are unsure about your focus area: Review the five pillars again. If your work doesn't fit into one of those categories, this specific scholarship may not be the right match for your current goals.

My Recommended Setup

Notion: Essential for tracking project milestones and drafting application narratives.
Trello: Great for visualizing the timeline of your initiatives and ensuring you meet internal deadlines.
Google Scholar: Use this to back up your project’s claims with peer-reviewed research, which adds significant weight to your application.

What Do You Think?

Apply here

Win a Fully Funded Trip to the 2026 One Young World Summit: Apply Now

The Core Insight

The 2026 ICMM Young Leaders Scholarship: Your Path to Global Impact

What You Need to Know

How I Researched This

Eligibility: Do You Qualify?

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Frequently Asked

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What does the scholarship cover?

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Brooks Women’s Launch 11 Neutral Running Shoe

MOOSLOVER Women Flare Capri Yoga Pants High Waisted Side Stripe Drawstring Bootcut Flared Cropped

RoseSeek Girls Sleeveless Jersey Shirts Number Graphic Camisole Tops Workout Sports Y2K Top