2026 Opportunities for High Schoolers
- Shenaya B
- Jan 4
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 18
Below are some opportunities open in 2026 for high school students to participate in. They range from awards and competitions to fellowships and ambassadorships with renowned global networks, NGOs, and programs. These opportunities can largely enhance the impact you create through motivated social change and help you showcase your qualifications and passion in a specific field.
A fully online program for ages 13-19 to develop social impact projects on education and SDGs. Includes workshops, mentorship, and global networking. Applications close January 13, 2026—apply soon!
New York Times Photo Essay Competition
Submit 6-8 photos telling a story about your hometown. Open globally to ages 13-19. Great for building a portfolio in visual journalism. Deadline: January 14, 2026.
International Baccalaureate Global Youth Action Fund
Grants up to $3,000 for student-led community projects aligned with SDGs. Open to all secondary students (no IB required). Applications typically open in February—watch for 2026 dates.
World Literacy Foundation Youth Ambassador Program
Train as a literacy advocate, fundraise, and lead campaigns. For ages 16-25 (high schoolers welcome). Runs May-August 2026; pre-register now.
Note: I participated in the 2025 cohort, which is an interactive and selective community of youth advocates offering module-based training and a final project that must be completed to receive the certificate.
America India Youth Ambassador Program
U.S. high schoolers fundraise and advocate for development in India. Runs October-July; applications open now for current cohort.
Note: All applicants must be U.S residents (according to the website).
Youth-led summits on SDGs, like the Future Action Summit Australia in April 2026. Network, attend workshops, and launch projects. There are typically 2-3 summits hosted annually, with opportunities for full and partial scholarships.
Borderless Journalism Internship
An opportunity for high school students to delve into the world of college applications and connect with a network of alumni from different countries.
Deadline for application is 5th January 2026.
This opportunity is perfect for students passionate about international education, storytelling, and community. The internship is fully remote and open to students from any country. As a journalism intern, you’ll interview current international students and alumni and write articles about their journeys for publication on borderless.so/stories for thousands of readers.
IPPF Essay and Debate Competition by Brewer Foundation
Global high school debate starting with essays on policy topics. Multi-round, with finals in NYC. The cycle typically starts in the fall, in August.
Note: My classmates and I participated in the 2024 competition and made it to the Top 64 teams globally. It requires rigorous research, and you get specialized help from mentors once you make it to the Top 64 team from former winners.
Northeastern University London AI Competition
A 5-day virtual challenge (Feb 16-20, 2026) tackling real-world AI problems. Open to high schoolers; win scholarships and build tech skills.
The Pad Project Ambassadorship
Volunteer to fight period poverty through education and advocacy. Virtual program for ages 12+; applications close June 30 for the 2025-2026 cycle.
Nonpartisan policy training with capstone projects. Rolling cohorts throughout 2026; great for aspiring policymakers.
The objective of the Horizon Academic Essay Prize is to push young students to engage with the world around them critically. We expect participants to dive deep into their chosen questions - showcase independent thought, clear argumentation, and rigorous analysis.
Deadline: February 1st 2026
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