AFS Intercultural Programs is proud to partner with AstraZeneca, through its Young Health Programme (YHP), to help create a healthier, more sustainable future for people, society and the planet by offering scholarships for young leaders from around the world to join the Climate Entrepreneurship Academy at the 2024 AFS Youth Assembly.

With these scholarships, AstraZeneca aims to empower young leaders who are tackling pressing climate issues that have the potential to impact health, build more resilient health systems, and improve equitable access to healthcare.

Prioritizing good health is paramount for building a sustainable future. However, both the enduring effects of COVID-19 and the escalating impacts of climate change on health have strained health systems worldwide, leaving them under-resourced and overwhelmed. It’s imperative that we take immediate action to fortify these systems, ensuring they can effectively meet present and future demands.

Strengthening the resilience of health systems necessitates addressing the climate crisis, which not only jeopardizes human health but also intensifies pressures on healthcare workers and disproportionately affects marginalized communities. To equip health systems for the challenges ahead, we must bolster their resilience, promote equitable health outcomes, and expedite the transition to net-zero emissions.

Candidates must meet all of the requirements below to be considered eligible for this scholarship:

• Ideal candidates are actively working, studying, or researching in the areas of climate issues that have potential to positively impact health, build more resilient health systems, and improve equitable access to healthcare;
• Have never attended the AFS Youth Assembly before;
• Be between 18 – 32 years old* at the time of application;
• Be able to actively participate in program sessions conducted in English;
• We welcome candidates from any country around the world. All applicants must have the ability to secure a travel visa and travel to the United States (the Academy is an in-person event).

*Most delegates are between the ages of 18 and 32. The selection committee will consider applications from those who are older than 32, pending demonstration of appropriate personal impact, initiative, and willingness to engage.