Application Deadline: December 17, 2025 at 8pm ET
Applications are now open for the 2026 Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award. The Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award was established by Cisco and Global Citizen to recognize an individual aged 18-30 who has contributed meaningfully with technology to help end extreme poverty.
Selected via an application process, the Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award honors an individual aged 18-30 who has contributed meaningfully toward the goal of ending extreme poverty. The award includes a $250,000 prize paid to the organization to which the individual contributes. The winner will be announced at Global Citizen NOW in May 2026 in New York City.
Requirements
- Demonstrated track-record of measurable impact at scale over the last 3-5 years advancing one or more of the Global Goals.
- Compelling vision and concrete plans for how to extend this work in the next 3-5 years, including how the prize will advance efforts.
- Inspires other young people to have an impact on achieving one or more of the Global Goals
- Demonstrates the values and embodies the spirit of a Global Citizen and a Global Problem Solver
- Innovates with technology or Internet-based communications to improve efficiency, reach, and magnify impact.
Selection Criteria
- Candidates will be judged against criteria by a group of Global Citizen, Cisco, and independent experts.
- Up to five (5) finalists will be selected on or around February 2nd, 2026 and will be required to submit three (3) letters of recommendation. If applying for the Prize, you should have your letters of recommendation ready for submission. Additional supplemental information might also be requested of finalists.
- If selected as one of the 5 finalists, you will be judged by a panel of representatives from Global Citizen, Cisco, and esteemed activists and leaders in the international development field.
Application Procedure:
If you are selected as one of the 5 finalists you will be contacted on or around February 2nd, 2026 to submit 3 letters of recommendation:
3 Letters of endorsement / recommendation
- A Colleague
- A Funder or Operational Partner
- Person you’ve impacted
Once you apply for the Prize, you should have your letters of recommendation ready for submission. Supplemental information might also be requested of finalists. Finalists who are contacted and cannot provide letters of recommendation and supplemental information by the deadline may be removed from further consideration.
If selected as a finalist, you will be provided with instructions on how to submit your letters of recommendation and supplemental information.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award
