Deadline: January 15, 2026
Applications are open for the Bezos Scholars Program 2026. For more than two decades, the Bezos Scholars Program has been amplifying youth voice and helping young people take action to make a positive difference in their communities.
They envision a world where all young people lead and contribute to meaningful community change. Their mission is to champion changemakers to act on issues they care about by developing leadership skills and supporting youth-led community projects.
Benefits
- Form Lasting Friendships Across the Globe: Join a community with talented students and educators from across the U.S. and Africa, and upon completion of the program, join the extensive Alum Network.
- Attend the Aspen Ideas Festival: Experience an all-expenses-paid trip to Aspen, Colorado, to attend the Aspen Ideas Festival. Hear from global leaders and bring your voice to the conversation.
- Receive Leadership Training: Engage in 45+ hours of virtual leadership skill-building sessions to foster community and learn from workshops designed to support community change project development.
- Experience Personal Coaching and Support: Participate in coaching with Bezos Scholar staff to support your leadership and Community Change Project journey.
- Preparing You for College and Beyond: Gain free, personalized college advising—including support with school lists, essays, financial aid, scholarships, and a tailored recommendation—giving you tools to thrive on your future university campus.
- Community Change Project Funding: Earn $1,000 in financial support to help launch and sustain Community Change Projects. Continuing projects are eligible to reapply for funding annually.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply, a student must be enrolled in and attend an eligible U.S. public high school that meets ONE or more of the following criteria:
- At least 30% of the school’s students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
- The school is designated as a Title I school.
- The state has identified the school as economically underserved; it meets the threshold for a state or district “high need” or meets the equity index used to allocate additional funding.
- This means the state identified a school as needing additional financial support because a large portion of its students come from low-income families or face other significant challenges that can hinder their learning.
Additionally, students must:
- Be a junior at the time they apply to the program.
- Have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0.
- Be enrolled in or have taken at least one advanced course (Honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or College Level).
- Be available to fully participate in the year-long program and attend all dates for the all-expenses-paid trip to Aspen, Colorado, June 24 through June 30, 2026.
- Nominate an educator, a willing and supportive adult from their school, to serve as a mentor, who will fully participate in the program and go on the trip to Aspen with them.
Application
High school juniors who meet program eligibility criteria can apply by January 15, 2026. Scholars will be announced and start the program in May.
For more information, visit Bezos Scholars Program.