The AFS Global STEM Changemakers Initiative is a unique opportunity for young scholars to develop a greater and more personal understanding of the importance of STEM skills and global competence in helping to advance a sustainable future, while exploring real-world examples of sustainability in their communities and the world. The programs are designed to empower underrepresented populations, especially young women, with pathways to STEM and sustainability education, leadership, and social impact.
bp, a global energy company, will provide funding that it is anticipated to support up to 5,000 scholarships over 5-years across a portfolio of two unique, full-scholarship programs: AFS Global STEM Academies and AFS Global STEM Accelerators. The Academies and Accelerators programs are ONLY AVAILABLE via SCHOLARSHIP AWARD.
AFS Global STEM Academies
About the Academies
The 2024 AFS Global STEM Academies full-scholarship program combines digital and in-person learning, gathering youth aged 15 to 17.5 from more than 15 countries worldwide, in which scholars enrich their sustainability knowledge and STEM skills through interactive, hands-on curriculum, while developing critical global competencies, including problem-solving, analytical skills, intercultural understanding, and social innovation.
The Academy scholars begin with a 12-week virtual e-learning curriculum (from home), engaging in content on global competence, social impact, and sustainability (co-developed by AFS and the University of Pennsylvania Center for Social Impact Strategy). The virtual portion of the program culminates with student-led social impact projects and presentations that offer potential solutions to real-world challenges, with an emphasis on climate change and the energy transition.
After completing the virtual curriculum, Academy scholars then travel on a 4-week immersive experience to one of the five 2024 Academy destinations: Brazil, China, Egypt, India, or the USA. Academy programming focuses on critical STEM skills, intercultural understanding, global sustainability, and local cultural immersion. Note: Scholars are not eligible to attend an Academy in the same country in which they currently live. For example, applicants from the USA will not be assigned to the USA Academy.
What is the Recruitment Period?
- Applications Open: November 15, 2023
- Applications Close: January 15, 2024
Who can Apply?
The program is only available via scholarship award. To be considered eligible for the 2024 AFS Global STEM Academies Scholarship, applicants must meet all eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria for the Academies can be found on the website here.
How are Participants Selected?
When Academies applications become available on November 15, interested students can apply online using the application link found on the Academies homepage. In addition to meeting the minimum eligibility criteria, applicants must submit a completed pre-application along with any required forms and to-do items.
AFS Sending Partners review submitted pre-applications/required information on a rolling basis and determine if an applicant is eligible to continue the process. From the pool of eligible applicants, Partners then select a set number of high-quality candidates to move on to the virtual Interview Stage, which is conducted via Zoom. After carefully deliberating, Partners determine a set number of scholarship finalists/winners and waitlist candidates. AFS International will then announce admissions decisions to all scholarship winners, waitlisted candidates, and non-selected applicants in February 2024.
AFS Global STEM Accelerators
About the Accelerators
The AFS Global STEM Accelerators full-scholarship program is dedicated to the future of women in STEM fields. AFS created the Accelerators program to provide an opportunity for girls from around the world to explore their interests in STEM and open up more possibilities for the perspectives of women in the greater goal of reaching a sustainable future.
Scholarship winners will participate in 12-week all-virtual programs focusing on emerging and critical STEM skills and fields, global competence education, and social impact (co-developed with the University of Pennsylvania). The program culminates with team projects and presentations that offer potential solutions to real-world challenges, with an emphasis on climate change and the energy transition.
The 12-week all-virtual Global STEM Accelerators exchange program will run in two cohorts: Cohort 1 will run from May-August 2024, and Cohort 2 will run from August-November 2024.
What is the Recruitment Period?
Applications for the 2024 AFS Global STEM Accelerators Scholarship will open in February 2024. The deadline for the application has not yet been announced.
Who can Apply?
The program is available only via scholarship award. Applications for the 2024 Global STEM Accelerators are open to young women from anywhere in the world who meet all Eligibility Requirements, which can be found here: https://afs.org/global-stem/accelerators/#afs-nav-eligibility
How are Participants Selected?
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. When Accelerators applications become available, interested students that meet all eligibility criteria can apply online using the application link found on the Accelerators homepage.
Promotional Materials
Promotional materials have already been created for the 2024 Academies and Accelerators scholarship programs. All you need to do is download the materials and share them with your communities or post them on your social media accounts. To access the promotional materials, please use the links below.
ACADEMIES
ACCELERATORS
More Helpful Links
ACADEMIES
- Website: https://www.afsusa.org/afs-global-stem-academies/
- About the Academies
- Frequently Asked Questions
ACCELERATORS
- Website: https://afs.org/global-stem/accelerators/
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Hear from Accelerators Alumni
Questions?
For Volunteers
If you have any questions about the AFS Global STEM Academies or Accelerators scholarships, please contact Grace Alexander at galexander@afsusa.org.
For Interested Applicants
Interested applicants that have questions about the AFS Global STEM Academies or Accelerators scholarships should contact or be directed to STEMChangemakers@afsusa.org.