Yale Young African Scholars Program 2026 for African secondary school students. (Travel Grant Available to YYAS Residential Leadership Summit in Kenya)

Applications are now open for the 2026 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. 

Application Deadline:  21 January 2026

YYAS 2026 Program Dates:

YYAS Online College Prep Workshop (6 days): 16 – 21 July 2026

YYAS Residential Leadership Summit (Kenya; 9 days): 8 – 16 August 2026

Eligibility Requirements

In 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 16) in 2026 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 2027 and no later than May/June 2028. If you attend school in the Southern Hemisphere, you must be graduating secondary school by earliest November/December 2026 and no later than November/December 2027.

Program Details

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 program will focus on career exploration, preparing for the university application process, and making the transition from secondary school to university. Given the limited duration of the program, YYAS has strict attendance expectations where students are unable to miss even one day of the program. Students who successfully finish the program will receive a pdf YYAS Certificate of Completion that can be added to college and university applications. The YYAS College Prep Workshop (online) is entirely free of charge.

YYAS Residential Leadership Summit (Kenya): 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 in Kenya 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. Given the limited duration of the program, YYAS has strict attendance expectations where students are unable to miss even one day of the program. Students who successfully finish the program will receive a pdf YYAS Certificate of Completion that can be added to college and university applications. The YYAS Summit is tuition-free ($0) and provides free housing, meals, and all academic curriculum materials.

Regarding transportation (such as flights), there are a limited number of need-based Travel Grants available for students who are offered admission and live outside of Kenya. All applicants will automatically be reviewed for Travel Grant eligibility, and each offer of admission for the YYAS Summit will include information about whether or not a Travel Grant was provided (and then students and families can choose whether to accept or decline that offer of admission).

All students who do not receive/qualify for a Travel Grant must be able coordinate and pay/fundraise for their travel to and from Kenya.

Application Requirements

The following list describes the typical YYAS requirements, although the most up-to-date and accurate information is always in the application.

The following three (3) components are required of all applicants:

• • Completed application form – The application can be found online and must be filled out by the applicant. Students will be asked to complete one 500-word essay and two short responses, and must provide information on their extracurricular activities and the school that they currently attend.
  • Official transcript or grade report(s) – A student transcript is an official document provided by the school and includes the applicant’s list of courses and grades received. Students must upload their official transcript or grade report(s) for each year of secondary school (in general, this is the international equivalent of grades 9, 10, and 11). National exam scores, if available, should also be submitted but are not required. If a student has changed secondary schools at any point, they must include records both from their previous AND their current school. Please refrain from uploading certificates or transcripts from primary school.
  • One (1) teacher recommendation – The recommendation must be filled out via the Online Recommendation Form that will be sent to a teacher’s email after the student provides their contact details. An email will be sent with a link to the Form and instructions on how to fill it out. The recommendation must be written and submitted by a teacher who knows the student well. Recommendations from parents/guardians, siblings, relatives, family friends, and/or paid private tutors/counselors will NOT be accepted.

Application Deadline:

Applicant Pool #1: Early Action

Applicant Pool #2: Regular Decision

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Yale Young African Scholars Program