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Youth Advisory BoardUnpaid, experiential learning opportunity Verified active

Youthwise: The OECD's Youth Advisory Board

Last verified 12 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

Join Youthwise, the OECD's Youth Advisory Board, to bring youth perspectives to international policy-making. Engage with experts, contribute to global discussions, and shape the future.

Provider
OECD Global Scholarship Programme
Host country
France
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About this scholarship

## About the award The OECD Youth Advisory Board, known as Youthwise, was established in 2021 with the dual aim of enhancing young people's understanding of international policy-making and the OECD's operations, while also integrating invaluable youth perspectives and innovative ideas into the Organisation's work. This initiative seeks to empower young individuals to actively contribute to global dialogues on critical issues. Youthwise comprises young people aged 18 to 30, selected for their diverse academic and professional backgrounds. Members come from various fields including artificial intelligence, technology, education, health, social care, climate, environment, gender equality, and social mobility, enriching the board with a broad spectrum of insights and interests. ## What's covered Youthwise members actively participate in a range of engaging activities that provide unique opportunities to influence policy and gain professional experience. While participation is not remunerated, members bring their generation's perspectives to the OECD, gaining a deeper understanding of key policy issues impacting their age group. They engage in closed-door meetings and consultations with OECD experts, speak at events, contribute to webinars, and create articles and videos to share Youthwise views. The program also facilitates interactive workshops with other youth organisations and leaders, fostering networking and a comprehensive understanding of international policy-making. Activities primarily take place online, though invitations to in-person events may occur, requiring a high level of attendance and participation. ## Who can apply To be eligible for Youthwise, applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old and hold a nationality from an [OECD Member country](https://www.oecd.org/en/about/members-partners.html). A strong command of English is essential. Candidates should demonstrate a keen interest in national and international discussions surrounding the development of an inclusive future through green and digital transformations. Diplomacy, understanding, and openness to various ideas and perspectives are crucial for discussing potentially sensitive topics. Applicants must not be affiliated with the OECD, its subsidiaries, member country governments, government agencies, parliaments, or delegations to the OECD, nor have a relative currently affiliated with the OECD. Successful candidates must be available to participate in the Youthwise programme from July 2025 until June 2027. ## How to apply The selection process for Youthwise involves an inter-generational, cross-directorate jury within the OECD, which rigorously reviews applications to ensure the selection of a diverse and representative cohort of young individuals. Further details on the application process, including specific deadlines for future cohorts, are typically released through the OECD's official channels. Interested candidates are encouraged to regularly visit the OECD's Youthwise page for updates and application instructions. Given the competitive nature of this program, potential applicants should prepare to showcase their academic achievements, professional experiences, and their passion for policy-making and youth advocacy.

Eligibility criteria

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years of age and a national of an OECD Member country. Fluency in English is required, along with a strong interest in national and international debates concerning inclusive futures through green and digital transitions. Applicants should not be affiliated with the OECD, member country governments, or delegations to the OECD, and must be available to participate in the programme from July 2025 to June 2027.

Required documents

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

  • Valid international passport (bio page scan)
  • Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
  • Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
  • Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
  • Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
  • Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
  • Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
  • Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

  1. 1
    Confirm eligibility on the official site

    Open https://www.oecd.org/about/civil-society/youth/global-scholarship/ and verify your country, level of study and English-language status against the current call. Sponsor rules change between intakes — never rely on third-party summaries alone.

  2. 2
    Secure a study place or admission offer

    Apply to the host university or programme first where required, and obtain a conditional admission letter. A growing number of sponsors only fund applicants who already hold an offer.

  3. 3
    Sit required tests and gather documents

    Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.

  4. 4
    Draft your essays and statements

    Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.

  5. 5
    Complete the online application

    Create an account on https://www.oecd.org/about/civil-society/youth/global-scholarship/, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.

  6. 6
    Submit at least one week before the deadline

    Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

  7. 7
    Prepare for shortlist interviews

    If shortlisted, OECD Global Scholarship Programme will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

Deadline timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

  1. 12 months out

    Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.

  2. 6 months out

    Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.

  3. 3 months out

    Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.

  4. 1 month out

    Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.

  5. Application deadline

    Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Editorial verification note

Auto-curated from official source (top-tier batch v3).
Last checked 5/12/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Youthwise: The OECD's Youth Advisory Board?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Youth Advisory Board level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by OECD Global Scholarship Programme, and be able to relocate to France for the duration of the programme.

Is the Youthwise: The OECD's Youth Advisory Board fully funded?+

Funding model: Unpaid, experiential learning opportunity. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is varies by intake — see the official site. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

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