Deadline: January 15, 2025
Applications are open for the AFS Global STEM Academies 2025. The AFS Global STEM Academies combine digital and in-person learning, gathering youth from 15 countries worldwide, in which scholars enrich their sustainability knowledge and STEM skills through interactive, hands-on curriculum, while developing critical global competencies, including problem-solving, analytical skills, intercultural understanding, and social innovation.
The Academies begin with a 12-week virtual e-learning curriculum (from home), engaging in global competence skills, social impact, and sustainability-focused workshops, with content co-developed by AFS and the University of Pennsylvania Center for Social Impact Strategy. The virtual portion of the program culminates with student-led social impact projects and presentations that offer potential solutions to real-world challenges, with an emphasis on sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including the topics of climate change and the energy transition.
After completing the virtual curriculum, Academy scholars travel on a 4-week immersive experience to one of the four Academy destinations: Brazil, China, Egypt, or India. Academy programming focuses on critical STEM skills and intercultural understanding for global sustainability, as well as local cultural immersion. Scholars participate in community service and have the opportunity to visit local innovative, sustainability-focused operations to see first-hand how companies and organizations are using STEM skills in practice to address industry and societal challenges, particularly around sustainability.
Benefits
All Global STEM Academy admissions are awarded by scholarship only, and cover the following costs:
- Full tuition to your twelve-week digital program and four-week study abroad program.
- AFS-arranged travel, including international economy airfare (and any associated domestic travel) from the student’s hometown to the host country, including airport pick-up. Your scholarship also covers the cost of offsetting your carbon emissions during travel (this is a sustainability program after all!)
- AFS-provided medical insurance.
- Housing: Student housing is provided and carefully arranged by AFS Intercultural Programs depending on the country and program (AFS students may live with a host family, in dormitories, or a combination of both).
- Meals: Some meals will be with host families; some will be provided as a group by AFS; applicants should indicate any dietary restrictions or preferences in their application.
- 24/7 emergency support.
- Field trips to activities and sites during your Academy.
- Assistance with the program and visa application processes.
- Certificate of participation upon satisfactory program completion.
Eligibility
- Be a national or citizen of one of the following countries: Azerbaijan, Brazil, China, Egypt, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom and USA.
- Applicant must be 15-17.5 years old at the program start date.
- Ability to participate fully, both online and in a classroom setting, in a program conducted entirely in English.
- Interest in STEM, sustainability, and global competencies.
- Curiosity and willingness to interact with diverse global peers and explore new cultures.
- Ability and willingness to travel abroad, unaccompanied, to any of the four Academy destinations: Brazil, China, Egypt, and India. Although applicants can rank their destination preference, AFS will select all scholarship winners’ destinations.
- Have a computer, smartphone or other digital device to access the virtual program content.
- An integrated webcam and microphone for participation in online dialogue sessions.
- Have stable internet or Wi-Fi connection.
- Talented young people from all backgrounds who reflect the diversity of populations around the world, particularly young women, underrepresented populations, and students with high financial need, are strongly encouraged to apply!
Application
For more information, visit AFS Global STEM Academies.
