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SDG Innovation Summit Malaysia 2026 Scholarship: 30 Funded Seats for Global Youth Leaders

The SDG Innovation Summit Malaysia 2026 offers 30 funded scholarships for young leaders aged 17-50 to attend a 4-day youth summit in Kuala Lumpur focused on UN Sustainable Development Goals. Includes $1,000 seed grant competition and exclusive Asia Pacific University visit.

September 23, 2026 ⏰ Deadline: Oct 10, 2026

Quick Overview

Host CountryMalaysia
University/OrgAsia Pacific University (APU)
Degree LevelShort Course
Funding TypeFully Funded, Partial Funding
Fields of StudyClimate Action, Education, Leadership, Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Development
DeadlineOctober 10, 2026

Scholarship Overview

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

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Overview

The SDG Innovation Summit Malaysia 2026 (SISM) is a premier international youth leadership summit bringing together 100 young leaders, innovators, students, entrepreneurs, and changemakers from around the world. Organized by the U.S.-based Global Youth Network (GYN), the summit takes place November 19–22, 2026, at the Teedo Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The summit focuses on four UN Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Delegates participate in keynote addresses, panel discussions, leadership workshops, innovation labs, and an exclusive institutional visit to Asia Pacific University (APU).

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Scholarship Categories

There are 30 scholarship seats available, divided into two tiers:

Fully Funded Scholarship (15 Seats)

  • Round-trip airfare support
  • Accommodation (twin sharing)
  • Meals and refreshments
  • Visa fees
  • Invitation letter for visa
  • Summit fee and access
  • GYN toolkit and merchandise
  • Speaking opportunity
  • Participation certificate
  • Free sightseeing in Kuala Lumpur
  • APU campus tour

Partially Funded Scholarship (15 Seats)

  • Accommodation (twin sharing)
  • Meals and refreshments
  • Visa supporting documents
  • Invitation letter for visa
  • Summit fee and access
  • GYN toolkit and merchandise
  • Speaking opportunity
  • Participation certificate
  • Free sightseeing in Kuala Lumpur
  • APU campus tour

Note: Airfare and visa fees are not covered under the partially funded category.

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$1,000 Seed Grant Award

All participants compete for a $1,000 Seed Grant to support innovative projects and social impact initiatives. Projects at any stage—conceptual, pilot, implementation, or fully realized—are eligible for presentation.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Open to all nationalities
  • Ages 17–50 years old
  • All educational and professional fields accepted
  • Students, graduates, volunteers, change-makers, social entrepreneurs, and professionals at any career stage
  • No IELTS/TOEFL required
  • Must be available to attend in Kuala Lumpur, November 19–22, 2026

Selection Criteria

  • Strong personal statement of 250–300 words explaining interest in the summit
  • Leadership skills and passion for the SDGs
  • Visionary mindset
  • Volunteering or leadership experience preferred but not mandatory

Application Process

  1. Choose your category: Select Fully Funded, Partially Funded, Forum Access ($249), or Self-Funded ($449)
  2. Complete application: Answer all questions thoroughly, including the personal statement
  3. Pay application fee: $18.50 for scholarship categories (paid via debit/credit card or Google Pay through Stripe)
  4. Submit application: Review and submit after payment

Results announced: October 15, 2026

Alternative Participation Options

Applicants not selected for scholarships can secure guaranteed seats:

  • Forum Access ($249): Confirmed seat, early invitation letter, welcome dinner, summit fee, toolkit, speaking opportunity, certificate, cultural night, meals, coffee breaks, APU tour
  • Self-Funded ($449): All Forum Access benefits plus twin-share accommodation and meals/refreshments
  • Invitation Letter Only ($49): Summit invitation letter and visa support documentation delivered within 48 hours

What to Expect: Summit Schedule

November 19 (Day 1): Arrival, hotel check-in, delegate registration, welcome kit collection, free time to explore KL

November 20 (Day 2): Opening ceremony, ice-breaking, country showcase, SDG workshop, social ventures workshop, entrepreneurship activity, free city tour

November 21 (Day 3): Policy impact workshop, SDG case studies, youth-led presentations, entrepreneurship activity, cultural night

November 22 (Day 4): Certification ceremony, group photo, check-out

Visa and Travel Information

GYN provides:

  • Official invitation letter
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Program location details

Final visa approval rests with the Malaysian embassy. GYN cannot guarantee approval.

No passport at application? Upload your National Identity Card (NIC) or student ID temporarily.

Why African Applicants Should Apply

For Zimbabwean and SADC region applicants, this summit offers:

  • No English language test requirements
  • Open to all professional backgrounds
  • Networking with 100+ international delegates
  • Exposure to Asian innovation ecosystems through APU visit
  • Potential seed funding for community projects
  • International certification from a U.S.-based organization

Contact Information

Email: [email protected]

Group discounts available—contact the email above for group enrollment pricing.

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

Funding Coverage

Fully Funded: Round-trip airfare, accommodation (twin sharing), meals, visa fees, summit access, toolkit, certificate, sightseeing, APU tour (15 seats). Partially Funded: Accommodation, meals, summit access, toolkit, certificate, sightseeing, APU tour—airfare and visa fees not covered (15 seats). $1,000 seed grant competition for all participants.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages 17-50; all nationalities; all educational/professional fields; students, graduates, professionals, entrepreneurs, changemakers; no English test required; must attend Nov 19-22, 2026 in Kuala Lumpur

Required Documents

Personal statement (250-300 words); passport or national ID/student ID (if passport unavailable at application)

Application Process

1) Choose category (Fully Funded/Partially Funded/Forum Access/Self-Funded). 2) Complete application with personal statement. 3) Pay $18.50 application fee via Stripe (card or Google Pay). 4) Submit and await results announcement October 15, 2026.
Apply Now — Official Website

You will be redirected to the official scholarship application page.

Frequently Asked Questions

The application deadline is October 10, 2026. Results will be announced on October 15, 2026.
No. English language test scores such as IELTS or TOEFL are not required for this application.
Yes. You can upload a copy of your National Identity Card (NIC) or student ID in place of passport details when applying. You will need a valid passport before traveling if selected.
If not selected for a scholarship, you can still attend through guaranteed participation options: Forum Access ($249) or Self-Funded ($449), which include the same summit experience and benefits except airfare coverage.
No. The application fee supports the review and selection process but does not guarantee selection. All applications are reviewed by an independent international selection panel.
No. GYN provides an official invitation letter, proof of accommodation, and program location details to support your visa application, but the final approval decision rests with the Malaysian embassy. GYN cannot guarantee visa approval.