Call for Applications: AstraZeneca Young Health Programme Impact Fellowship 2026

Application Deadline: 12 April 2026

About the Fellowship

The 2026 AstraZeneca Young Health Programme (YHP) Impact Fellowship is now accepting applications. Through this prestigious Fellowship, passionate and driven young leaders are being sought by AstraZeneca to join a cohort of advocates who will create actionable change across three critical areas:

• Build health systems resilience: Stronger health systems that prioritize earlier intervention are to be developed, addressing current needs while reducing future disease burdens
• Advance health equity: Early action to prevent non-communicable diseases among young people, alongside support for those living with rare diseases, forms the focus of this area
• Take action on climate and nature: Advocacy for mitigating the harmful effects of climate change on young people’s health and well-being is to be championed

The Young Health Programme (YHP) represents AstraZeneca’s global community investment initiative, concentrating specifically on young people and the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Since its launch in 2010, more than 5 million young individuals across 40-plus countries have been reached by the YHP. Implementation is carried out in partnership with leading organizations including Plan International and UNICEF, through which young people are empowered to make informed health choices while addressing key NCD risk factors such as tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and air pollution.

Eligibility Requirements

Individual Requirements

All of the following criteria must be satisfied by applicants:

• Age between 18 and 30 years at the time of the Summit
• English language proficiency (speaking, reading, and writing) sufficient for complete engagement in Fellowship activities
• Citizens of any country are welcome to apply
• Full in-person participation at the One Young World Summit (2–7 November 2026) in Cape Town, South Africa must be possible
• Insights must be shared, commitments to action co-created, partnerships fostered, and ambassadorial duties for AstraZeneca’s health equity and YHP work undertaken where appropriate
• Internet access and a device (computer or phone) enabling participation in live online Fellowship sessions must be available (such equipment will not be supplied to Fellows)

Organizational Requirements

Founders or leaders of registered non-profit organizations are eligible to apply, provided the following conditions are met:

• A minimum of 3 full years of registration and operational activity must have been completed by the application deadline
• For USD $10,000 grant consideration: Total reported income during the last financial year must exceed USD $10,000 but remain below USD $1,000,000
• For USD $50,000 grant consideration: Total reported income during the last financial year must exceed USD $100,000 but remain below USD $2,000,000
• ‘Funding-ready’ status must be demonstrated, with appropriate documentation (in English) able to be provided to AstraZeneca’s grant-making partner at the Charities Aid Foundation for verification of the organization’s charitable status, governance structures, and financial position
• Primary operations must be conducted in underserved communities where need has been established

Important Note on Documentation: Completion of the verification process through the Charities Aid Foundation may require 3–6 months and will commence once Fellows have been selected. Unavailability of required documentation, or failure to meet verification standards, may affect the organization’s eligibility to receive the grant and could result in Fellowship withdrawal. Disbursement of all grants is targeted for October 2026, with project commencement anticipated between October 2026 and April 2027. Completion of all projects must occur by December 2027.

Fellowship Benefits

Networks, funding, and development opportunities will be made accessible to selected Fellows, enabling them to lead a global health movement created by and for young people:

Access to Networks:

• A fully-funded scholarship providing attendance at the 2026 One Young World Summit in Cape Town, South Africa (3–6 November 2026), with travel, accommodation, meals, and Summit participation included
• Entry to the One Young World Ambassador Network; an international community exceeding 15,000 young leaders creating positive change across the globe
• Inclusion in the Young Health Programme (YHP) Alumni group comprising fellow young changemakers dedicated to improving youth health

Access to Development:

• Structured learning and development offerings combining self-directed study with live learning modules
• Entry to the One Young World Academy, an acclaimed mini-MBA programme delivering courses on leadership, project management, fundraising, communications, and monitoring and evaluation
• Mentorship from AstraZeneca colleagues possessing relevant expertise in health, business, and social impact
• Professional training opportunities customized to individual development requirements
• Peer learning sessions with other Fellows for sharing challenges, solutions, and effective practices

Access to Funding:

• Grants of either USD $10,000 or USD $50,000 will be received by each selected Fellow through their non-profit organization
• Automatic receipt of the USD $50,000 grant applies to those selected as the Lead2030 winner for Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being)
• Support of project implementation is the intended purpose of these funds, covering program activities, staffing, materials, and monitoring and evaluation
• Implementation of a project focused on one of the following areas is expected of Fellows:
  1. Advancing health equity
  2. Taking action on climate and nature
  3. Building health systems resilience

Application Process

Submission through the provided application website link is required. Through the official portal, applications must be submitted and should contain:

• Personal information and contact details
• Age verification (passport or government-issued identification)
• Organization details including registration date, mission, and demonstrated impact
• Financial information from the most recently completed financial year
• Description of underserved communities served by the organization
• Clear explanation of how the proposed project aligns with one or more Fellowship focus areas
• Expected project outcomes and anticipated impact
• Basic budget outline for grant fund utilization

Selection Criteria

Assessment of applications will consider:

• Leadership potential and demonstrated dedication to health equity
• Alignment with one or more priority areas
• Organizational strength and financial accountability
• Capacity for meaningful, measurable impact within underserved communities
• Innovation in addressing health challenges affecting young people
• Scalability and sustainability of the proposed project

Timeline

The application period is open from now until 12 April 2026. Following the deadline, application review and selection will take place between April and June 2026. Notification of selected Fellows will occur during June and July 2026. The verification process with the Charities Aid Foundation will run from July through September 2026. Pre-Summit online Fellowship sessions are scheduled for August through October 2026. Grant disbursement is targeted for October 2026, with projects expected to commence between October 2026 and April 2027. The One Young World Summit will take place in Cape Town, South Africa from 2–7 November 2026. All projects must be completed by December 2027.

Application Deadline: 12 April 2026. Submission through the official portal must occur before the deadline. Late applications will receive no consideration.

To apply click here

For More Information: Visit the Official Webpage of the AstraZeneca Young Health Programme Impact Fellowship