Top 10 Fully Funded & Paid International Opportunities for Youth in 2026

Are you a student, young professional, entrepreneur, researcher, activist or emerging leader looking for fully funded scholarships, fellowships, international conferences, traineeships and youth programmes?

There are several international opportunities available to young people in September 2026, with programmes covering education, climate change, renewable energy, Internet governance, peacebuilding, public health and international development.

This article brings together 10 opportunities featured in a recent youth opportunities roundup, together with their eligibility information, benefits, deadlines and application links.

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Important: Always confirm the current status of an opportunity on its official website before applying. Some opportunities in the original roundup have already closed, while others remain open.

1. RCOY Africa 2026 Delegates Call – Ghana

The Regional Conference of Youth (RCOY) Africa 2026 was scheduled to take place in Accra, Ghana, from 18–21 October 2026.

The conference brings together young Africans working in climate action, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, policy, civil society and related areas.

The 2026 theme is “Driving Integrated Solutions Across Africa’s Climate Agenda for Impact, Resilience and Justice.” The programme is designed to strengthen youth participation in Africa's climate agenda and provide opportunities for young people to engage with climate leaders and policymakers.

Eligibility

The call targeted young people who:

• Are between 18 and 35 years old
• Are from an African country
• Have an interest or experience in climate-related issues
• Can contribute to discussions on climate action and development

Funding

The RCOY Africa call included fully and partially funded delegate opportunities, although funding was limited and not every selected participant was guaranteed full financial support.

Deadline

9 September 2026 at 11:59 PM GMT

Application Status

Closed as of 11 September 2026.

Application Information

RCOY Africa 2026 Opportunity Information  

2. UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28 – Canada

The University of British Columbia (UBC) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program offers opportunities for talented young Africans to pursue selected Master's degrees in Canada.

The programme is designed to support academically talented students who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to contributing to positive change in their communities.

UBC's programme provides comprehensive support to eligible scholars, and the current graduate admissions cycle was for the Winter 2027 intake.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is aimed primarily at eligible students from Sub-Saharan Africa who meet the academic and programme-specific requirements.

Applicants must first express their interest through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars application process before being considered for eligible graduate programmes.

Potential Support

Depending on the scholarship and programme requirements, support can include:

• Tuition and educational expenses
• Accommodation and living support
• Travel-related support
• Health insurance
• Academic and career support

Deadline

The Winter 2027 expression-of-interest deadline was 6 September 2026.

Application Status

Closed for the current cycle.

Official Application Information

UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars – Official Application Information  

3. NextGen@ICANN88 – Internet Governance Opportunity

Young people interested in technology, Internet governance, digital policy and the future of the Internet can apply for the NextGen@ICANN88 programme.

The programme is connected to the ICANN88 Community Forum, scheduled for 13–18 March 2027 in Lisbon, Portugal.

NextGen@ICANN introduces young participants to the Internet ecosystem, Internet governance, policy development, ICANN's role and the multistakeholder model. Participants also receive mentoring and are expected to participate in programme activities and presentations.

Funding

Selected participants receive support covering:

• Economy-class airfare
• Hotel accommodation
• Stipend

Visa expenses and travel/health insurance are not covered by the programme.

Eligibility

The ICANN88 call is aimed at university students:

• Aged approximately 18–30
• Living and studying in the relevant host region
• Interested in Internet governance and related issues

Deadline

9 October 2026 at 23:59 UTC

Application Status

Open.

Apply Here

NextGen@ICANN – Official Application Information  

4. YAS Climate Diplomacy Training Programme – COP31

Young people interested in climate diplomacy and international climate negotiations can explore the Young Ambassadors Society (YAS) Climate Diplomacy Training Programme.

The programme focuses on helping young people understand the mechanisms of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and develop practical knowledge of climate diplomacy.

Successful participants can have the opportunity to join the YAS Online Delegation for COP31, which is scheduled for 9–20 November 2026.

Areas Covered

The training programme focuses on subjects related to:

• Climate diplomacy
• UNFCCC processes
• International climate negotiations
• Climate policy
• Energy and transition
• Adaptation and mitigation

Deadline

13 September 2026 at 23:59 Italian time

Application Status

Open — urgent.

Apply / Check Current Call

Young Ambassadors Society – Current Climate Diplomacy Call  

Important: Applicants should use the current YAS application form linked from the official call rather than relying on an old social-media short link.

5. IRENA Youth Forum 2027 – Abu Dhabi

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Youth Forum 2027 will bring young people together in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to discuss the future of renewable energy.

The 2027 forum is scheduled for 6–13 January 2027 and will focus on youth participation in the global energy transition.

The theme is:

“Youth Energising the Future: Grids, Storage and Flexibility for Renewable Energy Systems.”

IRENA's current call invites young people aged 18–35 to express their interest in participating.

Funding

Up to 40 young participants are expected to receive sponsored participation, including:

• International travel
• Accommodation
• Visa support

There is no participation or application fee.

Deadline

30 September 2026

Application Status

Open.

Apply Here

IRENA – Official Website and Events Information  

Applicants should follow the current 2027 Youth Forum call from IRENA for the official expression-of-interest form.

6. United Nations Volunteers Programme 2026

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme provides opportunities for qualified individuals to contribute to development and humanitarian programmes around the world.

UNV opportunities can be available in numerous countries and across areas including health, development, communications, administration, humanitarian response, education and other professional fields.

Importantly, UNV does not have one universal application form for every volunteer assignment. Applicants normally create a profile in the UNV Global Talent Pool and then apply for suitable assignments or may be matched to assignments depending on the programme.

How to Apply

1. Create your UNV profile.
2. Complete your personal and professional information.
3. Upload the required documents.
4. Search available assignments.
5. Apply for positions matching your qualifications.

Some assignments are sponsored and may provide allowances and other benefits, but the terms vary by assignment.

Application Status

Rolling opportunities.

Apply Here

UN Volunteers – Become a Volunteer  

UNV Candidate Registration Portal  

7. European Committee of the Regions Cicero Traineeship – Belgium

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) Cicero Traineeship offers young professionals an opportunity to gain practical experience working within a European Union institution in Brussels, Belgium.

The standard traineeship lasts five months and is full-time. The CoR states that traineeships take place in spring and autumn sessions.

Benefits

The traineeship provides a monthly grant, with the EU Careers information currently listing approximately €1,538 per month, together with applicable allowances.

Typical Requirements

Applicants should pay close attention to:

• Citizenship requirements
• Academic qualifications
• Language requirements
• Knowledge of English or French
• Specific eligibility conditions for the relevant traineeship

Application Status

Applicants should check the current CoR calendar for the relevant session.

Apply Here

European Committee of the Regions – Traineeships  

8. Billion Acts of Peace Changemaker Fellowship 2026

The Billion Acts of Peace Changemaker Fellowship is designed for young people who are already working on projects or initiatives addressing social challenges.

The fellowship is particularly suitable for young leaders who have moved beyond simply having an idea and are already taking action in their communities.

What the Fellowship Offers

Reported benefits include:

• Up to US$5,000 in project funding
• Mentorship
• Leadership development
• Skill-building sessions
• Global networking
• Opportunities to connect with peacebuilding and social-impact leaders

The programme focuses on young changemakers working toward peace, justice, equality and social change.

Deadline

28 September 2026

Application Status

Open, subject to confirmation on the current programme page.

Application Information

Billion Acts of Peace – Opportunity Information  

9. Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarship – TU Delft

The Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarship at TU Delft in the Netherlands is one of the major scholarship opportunities for academically outstanding international Master's students.

The scholarship has historically provided substantial financial support, including tuition and living-cost support, for selected students pursuing eligible Master's programmes.

However, there is an important update for anyone seeing this opportunity advertised as a 2027 scholarship.

Important Deadline Update

As of 11 September 2026, TU Delft's official scholarship page still lists the previous application deadline of 1 December 2025 at 23:59 CET.

Therefore, applicants should not assume that a 2027 application deadline has officially been announced simply because it appears in social-media opportunity lists.

Application Status

2027 cycle: Confirm the official opening before applying.

Official Scholarship Page

TU Delft – Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships  

This is an important example of why applicants should verify scholarship information directly with the university before submitting documents or paying any application-related fees.

10. Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference 2026 – Addis Ababa

The Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference 2026 is an important opportunity for young Africans interested in public health, health security, innovation and healthcare leadership.

The Youth Pre-Conference is scheduled for 21–22 November 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ahead of the 5th International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2026).

Who Can Apply?

The programme is aimed at young Africans, including:

• Health professionals
• Students
• Researchers
• Innovators
• Entrepreneurs
• Advocates
• Communicators
• Community leaders

Applicants generally need to be between 18 and 35 years old and have an interest or involvement in public health and related areas.

Key Areas

The Youth Pre-Conference covers areas including:

1. Digital Health, Research and Innovation
2. Africa's Public Health Workforce
3. One Health and Emergency Preparedness
4. Local Manufacturing and Health Sovereignty
5. Youth Leadership on Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV

Funding

According to the official CPHIA FAQ, selected Youth Pre-Conference participants receive full sponsorship to attend the YPC 2026 and CPHIA 2026, subject to the programme's selection conditions.

Deadline

13 September 2026 at 17:00 EAT

Application Status

Open — urgent.

Apply Here

Africa CDC – Youth Pre-Conference 2026  

Quick Summary: Which Opportunities Are Still Open?

Final Advice for Applicants

International scholarships and fellowships can be extremely competitive. Do not wait until the final hours to submit an application.

Before applying:

• Read the official eligibility requirements.
• Confirm the deadline in the applicant's timezone.
• Prepare your CV early.
• Prepare academic certificates and transcripts where required.
• Use your own authentic experiences in personal statements.
• Do not pay individuals claiming they can guarantee selection.
• Apply only through official or verified application portals.
• Check whether the opportunity is fully funded, partially funded, paid or simply free to apply.

Most importantly, do not rely solely on a Facebook, LinkedIn, WhatsApp or Telegram post for scholarship information. Social-media posts can become outdated after deadlines change. Always click through to the official programme or institution before submitting an application.