Deadline Date: January 15, 2026
The AFS Intercultural Programs is inviting applications for its AFS Global STEM Academies Program to offer a transformative blend of virtual and in-person learning designed to develop young leaders in STEM, sustainability, and global competence.
The focus areas of the Academies include global competence skills, social impact, sustainability, STEM skills, intercultural understanding, climate change, the energy transition, green energy solutions, robotics, sustainable technologies, mobility, innovation, sustainable energy, biofuels, alternative energies, electric vehicles, low-emission fuels, Indigenous knowledge, Portuguese language classes, Arabic language, art, dance, yoga, cultural immersion, community service, and student-led social impact projects.
The program begins with a 12-week online learning experience conducted from home, during which scholars participate in workshops, e-learning modules, and dialogue sessions co-developed by AFS and the University of Pennsylvania Center for Social Impact Strategy.
This virtual phase culminates in student-led social impact projects that address real-world sustainability challenges and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Participants are expected to engage for approximately four hours per week and must complete this phase to qualify for travel.
After successfully completing the virtual curriculum, selected scholars embark on a four-week international study abroad experience in one of four destinations: Brazil, China, Egypt, or India. Each location offers a unique thematic immersion.
In Brazil, participants explore innovations in renewable energy through visits to leading institutions, cultural exchange, and a homestay experience. In China, scholars engage with mobility, innovation, and sustainable energy across Beijing, Shanghai, and Ningbo, complemented by hands-on activities and cultural experiences with local peers.
The Egypt Academy provides a STREAM-focused journey through robotics, green energy, and sustainable technologies alongside cultural immersion and field visits. In India, scholars experience a blend of technology, sustainability, and rich cultural engagement through workshops, community service, and exposure to cutting-edge mobility solutions.
The scholarship covers housing, meals, airfare, domestic transport, orientations, cultural tours, field trips, medical insurance, visa assistance, and comprehensive support, though expenses such as vaccinations, doctor visits, baggage fees, and personal spending are not included.
Eligibility for the scholarship is open to youth aged 15 to 17.5 at the start of the program who hold citizenship or legal residency in one of the eligible countries. Applicants must demonstrate interest in STEM, sustainability, and intercultural learning while being willing and able to travel unaccompanied.
English proficiency, access to technology, and the ability to fully participate in both the online and travel components are essential. AFS encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, including young women, underrepresented groups, and students with financial need.
Applicants must submit required documents including academic history, a health certificate, permission forms, and recommendation letters before the January 15, 2026 deadline. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and semi-finalists will be invited for virtual interviews, with final decisions announced on February 20, 2026.
