About the programme
Open to young leaders (aged 18 to 35) running eligible non-profits, charities, or social enterprises in Canada or the US. Winning projects receive grants of $60,000 or $20,000, and the challenge includes peer mentorship and the chance to attend the One Young World Summit in Tokyo. A separate South African Innovator Prize of $15,000 will open later with its own details still to come.
Eligibility
- Aged 18 to 35
- Leading a non-profit, charity, social enterprise or purpose-focused start-up
- Organisation is a registered Canadian non-profit/charity, a registered US 501(c)(3), or a social enterprise registered in Canada or the US
- Organisation registered for at least one year by 5 November 2026
- Project delivered by the organisation with grant funds and based in and focused on Canada and/or the US
- Operational bank account able to receive grant funds and ability to provide audited financial statements
- Application submitted by the organisation's leader (founder, co-founder, CEO, chair)
- Social enterprises must propose a social-purpose project and confirm 100% of grant funds go to it
- Not partisan or politically affiliated, not discriminatory, not individual work outside an organisation, one application per organisation
- Sign in to check these against your background.
What they look for
- Robust regenerative or sustainable agriculture project; regenerative projects preferred
- Demonstrated innovation and evidence of potential or actual change at a defined innovation stage
- Commitment to safety, equity and inclusive decision-making
AI-written applications are not allowed. Applicants are told not to use ChatGPT or AI software to write answers for One Young World scholarship applications (guidance page).
What you receive
- Grants of $60,000 for winning projects
- Grants of $20,000 for finalist projects
- Peer mentorship with 2026 Challenge recipients
- Lifelong One Young World Ambassador community membership
- Full scholarship to One Young World Summit 2027 in Tokyo, Japan (28 September to 1 October), including return flights, accommodation and catering
What you will need
- Audited financial statements
- Application form (first round, then detailed second-round proposal if longlisted)
How to apply
- First-round application form open call
- Longlisted applicants submit detailed proposals in second-round form
- Shortlisted applications reviewed by external judging panel
- Finalists pitch remotely to BMO interview committee
- Winners, finalists and prize winner confirmed
- Mentorship matching and grant distribution
- Attend One Young World Summit Tokyo, Japan
- Social Return on Investment analysis of recipient projects
Applications are submitted on BMO Community Giving with One Young World’s own site. Open Doors helps you prepare; it is not the official application portal.
From people who applied
No notes yet.
Source and verification
- Official source
- BMO Community Giving with One Young World · Application
- Last checked
- 10 Nov 2026, read automatically from the official page
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