The Audi Environmental Foundation Scholarship 2026 is a fully funded opportunity for young leaders who are actively working to address the climate crisis. Backed by the Audi Environmental Foundation, established in 2009 by AUDI AG, this scholarship sends 10 outstanding individuals to the prestigious One Young World Summit in Cape Town, South Africa. The Foundation is committed to supporting environmentally compatible technologies, climate education, and protecting natural ecosystems. This scholarship is its way of championing the next generation of changemakers.
This opportunity is for young people between the ages of 18 and 30 who are already doing meaningful work in climate and environmental justice. Whether you are using technology to reduce pollution, advocating for climate equity, or protecting fragile ecosystems, this scholarship is designed for you. Candidates from all countries around the world are eligible to apply, making it one of the most inclusive environmental scholarships available today.
This post covers everything you need to know about the Audi Environmental Foundation Scholarship 2026. From eligibility requirements and scholarship benefits, to a step-by-step application guide, important dates, and tips to strengthen your application. Read on and take this opportunity seriously.
Scholarship Overview
| Field | Information |
| Host Country | South Africa (Cape Town) |
| Degree Level | Not a degree programme. Summit attendance for young leaders. |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded |
| Deadline | 1 June 2026 |
| Who Can Apply | Young leaders aged 18-30 from all countries |
| Benefits Summary | Full scholarship to attend One Young World Summit 2026 (travel, accommodation, summit fees) |
Eligibility
To qualify for the Audi Environmental Foundation Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Citizenship: Open to nationals of all countries worldwide. There are no nationality restrictions.
- Age requirement: Applicants must be aged 18 to 30 at the time of the Summit (1-7 November 2026). Applicants who are older than 30 may still be considered, but only if they can demonstrate exceptional personal impact, initiative, and a clear willingness to engage. Applicants who will be under 18 at the time of the Summit will not be accepted.
- Leadership: Demonstrated capacity for leadership is required. You must show a clear track record of driving change in your community or field.
- Impact and innovation: Applicants must show demonstrated impact and innovation specifically in tackling environmental challenges.
- Understanding of issues: You need to show an understanding of key local and/or global issues related to climate and the environment.
- In-person attendance: You must be able to fully participate in person at the One Young World Summit, scheduled 1-7 November 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. If you cannot attend in person, you are not eligible.
- Work experience: While no specific number of years is required, applicants must show a track record of generating impactful and innovative solutions in the environmental or climate space.
Eligible Countries
All countries are eligible. The Audi Environmental Foundation Scholarship is open to nationals of every country in the world. There are no geographic restrictions.
Below is a general representation by region:
- Africa: All African countries are eligible, including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Rwanda, Tanzania, Senegal, and more.
- Asia: All Asian countries are eligible, including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and more.
- Americas: All countries in North, Central, and South America are eligible, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Jamaica, Peru, and more.
- Europe: All European countries are eligible, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Ukraine, Poland, Spain, Italy, and more.
- Middle East: All Middle Eastern countries are eligible, including Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, Palestine, and more.
- Pacific/Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and all Pacific island nations are eligible.
Since all nationals are welcome, every young leader with relevant environmental work is encouraged to apply regardless of where they are from.
Eligible Fields of Study
This scholarship is not tied to a specific academic discipline or degree. It is focused on real-world impact rather than formal study.
The work must be relevant to tackling the climate crisis. Priority areas include:
- Using innovative technologies to combat climate issues, for example by reducing pollution
- Promoting climate education and improving its accessibility to increase public awareness
- Advocating for climate equity and environmental justice
- Empowering vulnerable communities and helping them build resilience against the effects of climate change
- Protecting crucial ecosystems, such as by halting land degradation or revitalising marine environments
Applicants from any academic or professional background may apply, as long as their work clearly connects to one or more of these environmental focus areas.
Benefits
The Audi Environmental Foundation Scholarship covers the costs necessary to attend the One Young World Summit. The specific benefits include:
- Summit registration: Full coverage of One Young World Summit fees for 2026.
- Travel costs: Return travel to Cape Town, South Africa is expected to be covered.
- Accommodation: Accommodation during the Summit (1-7 November 2026) is expected to be provided.
- Networking access: Access to the full One Young World Summit programme, including sessions, workshops, and networking with global changemakers and world leaders.
- Scholarship recognition: You will be formally recognised as an Audi Environmental Foundation Scholar, a title that carries global credibility in the climate and sustainability space.
Note: The official scholarship page does not provide a detailed breakdown of all benefits. Please verify the complete package at the official One Young World website before applying.
Required Documents
The following documents are typically required for scholarships of this kind. Since the application is hosted on the One Young World platform, you should prepare:
- Valid passport or national identification document
- Proof of age (must confirm you are 18 or older at the time of the Summit)
- Curriculum vitae or resume (highlighting your environmental or climate-related work)
- Personal statement or application essay describing your climate work, its impact, and how attending the Summit will support your goals
- Evidence of impact: This could include reports, media coverage, links to projects, data showing reach or results, letters from communities, and similar proof
- References or recommendation letters from a mentor, employer, or community leader who can speak to your leadership and impact
- Social media or website links showing your work
Check the official application form for the exact list of documents required. Prepare everything before you begin your online application.
How to Apply
Follow these steps carefully to submit a strong application:
Step 1: Read the full eligibility criteria on the official One Young World scholarship page for the Audi Environmental Foundation Scholarship 2026. Confirm that you meet all requirements before proceeding.
Step 2: Visit the official application portal at https://apply.oneyoungworld.com/scholarship/form/audi-environmental-foundation-sc
Step 3: Create an account on the One Young World platform if you do not already have one. Use a professional email address that you check regularly.
Step 4: Gather all supporting documents before starting your application. This includes your CV, proof of impact, personal statement, and identification. Having these ready will prevent incomplete submissions.
Step 5: Draft your personal statement or application essays offline first. Focus on the specific environmental work you have been doing, the concrete impact it has had, and why you are the right candidate for this scholarship. Be specific. Use numbers and real outcomes wherever possible.
Step 6: Describe your connection to one of the five environmental focus areas listed by the Foundation. Clearly link your work to at least one of these themes: innovative technology for climate, climate education, climate equity, community resilience, or ecosystem protection.
Step 7: Complete the online application form on the portal. Fill in all sections fully and accurately. Do not leave any required fields blank.
Step 8: Upload all supporting documents in the correct format as required by the application system. Double-check file sizes and formats before uploading.
Step 9: Review your entire application carefully before submitting. Check for spelling errors, incomplete sections, and inconsistencies. Ask a trusted colleague or mentor to review it if possible.
Step 10: Submit your completed application before 11:59 PM on 1 June 2026. You will receive a confirmation email after submission. Keep this for your records.
Step 11: After submitting, avoid contacting the scholarship team to check on your status unless you receive a message requesting further information. The team will reach out to shortlisted candidates directly.
Key Dates and Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
| Application Opens | 13 April 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 1 June 2026 |
| Shortlisting | To be Determined |
| Interviews | To be Determined |
| Final Results | To be Determined |
| One Young World Summit | 1-7 November 2026 |
| Summit Location | Cape Town, South Africa |
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 1 June 2026.
The exact time and timezone have not been specified on the official page.
Applications submitted after this deadline will NOT be accepted. Do not wait until the last day to submit. Technical issues, slow internet connections, and missing documents are common reasons for last-minute failures. Submit at least 3 to 5 days early.
Selection Criteria
The Audi Environmental Foundation and One Young World are looking for young people who are already making a difference, not just those with potential alone. Here is what the selection committee will evaluate:
- Demonstrated impact: You must show that your work has actually produced results. Vague claims will not be competitive. Specific outcomes, numbers, and stories of real change matter.
- Innovation: The Foundation focuses on creative and forward-thinking solutions. Show how your approach is different from what already exists and why it works.
- Leadership capacity: You do not need a formal leadership title. What matters is that you have shown the ability to inspire others, organise action, or lead a project to a meaningful outcome.
- Relevance to climate and environment: Your work must clearly connect to tackling the climate crisis. Generic community work without an environmental angle is unlikely to succeed.
- Understanding of key issues: Applicants who demonstrate awareness of both local and global dimensions of the climate crisis will be stronger candidates.
- Ability and willingness to participate fully: Since in-person attendance at the Summit is required, the committee will look for candidates who can commit fully to the event dates and participate actively.
- Potential for future impact: The scholarship is an investment. The committee will consider how the Summit experience would multiply your impact going forward.
Important Tips
- Be specific about your impact. Do not say you “raised awareness.” Say you “trained 300 women farmers in drought-resistant agriculture in three local government areas.” Numbers and specifics always win over general claims.
- Clearly connect your work to one of the five focus areas. Judges will be looking to see which theme your work fits. Make that connection obvious and early in your application.
- Apply early. The deadline is 1 June 2026, but submitting in the final days leaves no room to fix errors. Aim to submit by 25 May 2026 at the latest.
- Show that you can actually attend. The Summit runs 1-7 November 2026 in Cape Town. If you need a visa, start checking requirements early. Mention in your application that you are committed to attending in person.
- Avoid being vague about your role. If you worked as part of a team, be honest but also clear about what you specifically did and led. Ownership matters.
- Use a concise, professional CV. Highlight only the environmental and leadership work most relevant to this scholarship. Remove unrelated content that clutters the application.
- Get a recommendation from someone who truly knows your work. A strong letter from a community leader, NGO director, or programme manager who can speak to your specific results is far more powerful than one from a professor who barely knows you.
- Frame your goals around the Summit. Show the committee why attending One Young World specifically will help you do more. What will you learn? What connections do you need? What will you do differently afterward?
- Proofread everything. A well-written application reflects your communication skills. Spelling errors and unclear sentences create a poor impression regardless of how strong your work is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be enrolled in a university to apply?
No. This scholarship is not an academic scholarship. It is for young leaders who are doing impactful work in the environmental space. You do not need to be currently studying to be eligible.
I am 31 years old. Can I still apply?
Possibly. The One Young World team states that it will consider applicants who are older than 30 if they can demonstrate appropriate personal impact, initiative, and willingness to engage. However, this is at the team’s discretion and the core target group is those aged 18 to 30.
How many scholarships are available?
The Audi Environmental Foundation is offering scholarships to 10 young leaders for the 2026 Summit.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
The scholarship covers attendance at the One Young World Summit. The exact breakdown of what is and is not covered (such as travel, accommodation, meals, and visa) is not fully detailed on the official page.
Can I apply if I live in a country different from my country of citizenship?
The eligibility criteria state that nationals of all countries are eligible. It does not specify that you must be living in your country of citizenship.
What does the One Young World Summit involve?
The One Young World Summit is a major global gathering of young leaders from around the world. It features sessions, workshops, and keynote addresses from prominent international figures, and is designed to help young leaders connect, collaborate, and amplify their impact on global issues.
What if I cannot attend in person due to a visa denial or other circumstance after being selected?
Full in-person participation is a stated requirement. If you have serious concerns about obtaining a visa or being able to travel, consider this carefully before applying.
When will I hear back after submitting my application?
The official page does not specify a shortlisting or results date.
Official Link
Apply here: https://apply.oneyoungworld.com/scholarship/form/audi-environmental-foundation-sc
