2026 Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge
Offered by Social Shifters
About this scholarship
The 2026 Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge funds young founders whose active projects or startups already produce measurable social or environmental benefit. Multiple grants are available, with no entrant receiving more than $15,000; finalists also receive pitch coaching, visibility, community access, and other founder support. The registering founder, co-founder, or primary leader must be age 18–30 and hold real decision-making authority. Young people must control at least 51% of the group or startup. Eligible ventures may be for-profit, nonprofit, registered, or unregistered, but they cannot be a project inside a larger established company or nonprofit; a registered organization must have been incorporated within the prior five years. The work must align with at least one United Nations Sustainable Development Goal and already show social or environmental outputs. Applicants worldwide may enter except from countries restricted under the published UK sanctions list. Only one complete English-language submission per entrant is allowed through the direct awards platform. The guidelines require disclosure of permitted generative-AI assistance and prohibit AI-generated majority content. Submissions close August 31, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. UTC.
Eligibility
- Be age 18–30 by the submission deadline and serve as founder, co-founder, or primary venture leader
- Ensure people ages 18–30 hold at least 51% control and clear decision-making authority
- Lead an independent active project or startup already producing measurable social or environmental impact
- Align the work with at least one United Nations Sustainable Development Goal
- If registered, have incorporated no more than five years before the deadline
- Be located outside the countries excluded under the published UK financial-sanctions restrictions
- Submit one complete English-language entry and disclose any permitted AI assistance
- Complete the awards-platform submission by August 31, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. UTC