Deadline: September 29, 2025
Applications are open for the International AIDS Society (IAS) Youth Hub Seed Grant Programme 2025. IAS – the International AIDS Society – invites you to submit a proposal requesting up to USD 10,000 to implement a six-month innovation project (from April to October 2026) that addresses a need for young people living with and affected by HIV.
The IAS will support a new cohort of five Young Leaders with seed grants to scale up HIV-related innovation projects that respond to a locally defined need. Each Young Leader must be affiliated with and logistically supported by an organization working in HIV and/or sexual and reproductive health and rights or related areas.
Benefits
Selected Young Leaders will be awarded:
- USD $10,000 seed grant to implement and/or scale up an HIV-related innovative project over a period of six months (April to October 2026)
- Capacity building in monitoring and evaluation, reporting, and communications and networking opportunities
- Travel to AIDS 2026, the 26th International AIDS Conference, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Inclusion in the AIDS 2026 Young Leaders Programme
Eligibility
The Young Leader must:
- Be connected to an organization that is willing and able to provide mentorship and logistical support for the proposed Young Leader’s project.
- Be between 18 and 30 years old (and ideally under 25).
- Be willing to attend AIDS 2026 from 26 to 31 July 2026.
- Be able and willing to report and communicate with the IAS in English.
The host organization must:
- Be a registered charitable organization and willing to undergo additional eligibility checks.
- Be able and willing to provide a point of contact who will actively mentor the selected applicant as a Young Leader.
- Be able and willing to logistically support its Young Leader in the day-to-day aspects of the implementation of its innovation project.
- Be able and willing to report and communicate with the IAS in English.
- Be able and willing to receive, as well as manage, all funds related to the seed grant.
Selection Criteria
Selection of applications will be based on the following criteria:
- Innovation and clarity of project plan
- Evidence of project sustainability
- Strength of youth engagement
- Leadership qualities of the proposed Young Leader
- Capacity of host organization
Application
You will need to provide information and contact details for yourself and your host organization. You will also be asked a series of questions to assess motivation, skills and project feasibility, as well as to upload a completed budget template and a letter of support from your host organization.
Only applications made through the online application portal will be considered.
For more information, visit IAS Youth Hub Seed Grant Programme.
