Yale Young African Scholars Program 2027 for African secondary school students. (Travel Grant Available to YYAS Residential Leadership Summit)

Application Deadline:  20 January 2027

Applications are now open for the 2027 Yale Young African Scholars Program. Yale Young African Scholars(YYAS) is an intensive academic and enrichment program designed for African secondary school students who plan to pursue tertiary education and wish to make meaningful impact as young leaders on the continent.

Across both programs, participants will enhance their academic skills, receive university admission and financial aid application guidance, and join a network of young leaders from across Africa. Students may attend only one session, but they can indicate their prefered session(s) on the YYAS application form. 

Program Details

In 2027, YYAS will continue to offer an online program option and a residential program option. There are no tuition costs for participation in either program. 

YYAS College Prep Workshop (online): The YYAS College Prep Workshop will offer admission to ~240 students, and is open to students across all countries in Africa. To participate, students must be able to access Zoom on their own mobile phone, tablet, and/or computer with reliable internet for the duration of the program.  The YYAS College Prep Workshop (online) is entirely free of charge.

YYAS Residential Leadership Summit: The YYAS Residential Leadership Summit will offer admission to ~110 students, and is open to students across all countries in Africa. Students will reside on a residential school campus for nine (9) days. The program will focus on the same college prep topics as the online workshop in addition to leadership, innovation, design, and 21^st century skills. The YYAS Summit is tuition-free ($0) and provides free housing, meals, and all academic curriculum materials to all participants.

TRAVEL: For the YYAS Summit, all students must be able to travel to and from the host country, and all students will coordinate and pay/fundraise for any required travel documentation (such as passport, travel visa, etc.).

Eligibility Requirements

IIn order to apply to YYAS, applicants MUST fulfill all of the following requirements:

• Age: You must be between the ages of 14-18 years old on the first day of the program (July 15) in 2027 in order to be considered. Please note that a typical YYAS student is between the ages of 16-17. 
• English: You must be able to participate in a rigorous academic curriculum conducted in English.
• Citizenship: You must be a citizen or permanent resident of an African country. YYAS will also accept applications from refugees living in an African country.
• School location: You must currently attend school in an African country.
• Grade Level: You must be a current 10th or 11th grade student (or the international equivalents). 
• Graduation date:   If you attend school in the Northern Hemisphere, you must be graduating secondary school by earliest May/June 2028 and no later than May/June 2029. If you attend school in the Southern Hemisphere, you must be graduating secondary school by earliest November/December 2027 and no later than November/December 2028.

If you are currently in your final year or term of secondary school, have already graduated secondary school, or are a university student, then you are NOT eligible to apply.

Student Profile

A typical YYAS participant has:

• Excellent academic records
• Demonstrated leadership potential
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• A desire and ability to work cooperatively with peers
• Persistence and determination when facing challenges
• High standards of personal and professional conduct
• The ability to read, analyze, and reflect on large quantities of difficult material in English
• Demonstrated maturity and interest in engaging in discussions about intellectual, moral, and political issues in Africa

Application Timeline:

Applicant Pool #1: Early Action

Applicant Pool #2: Regular Decision

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Yale Young African Scholars Program