Schmidt Futures/Rhodes Trust 2023 Rise Challenge for Young People Worldwide

Published: 02 Nov 2022

Each year, Rise invites 15-17 year olds from around the world to participate in the Rise Challenge. Unlike many traditional applications, Rise uses videos, projects, and group interviews so applicants have multiple opportunities to showcase their potential. For applicants without access to a video recording device, we offer the option of submitting text responses. For applicants without access to technology, we offer an alternative low-tech pathway through paper applications.

The Rise Challenge encourages applicants to create an individual project that demonstrates their talents and benefits their communities, and peer review other applicants’ projects, among other activities. 

After applicants complete the Rise Challenge, Rise selects up to 500 Finalists to advance to “Finalist Days,” where they demonstrate their motivations, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork skills in an innovative interview format.

From the 500 Finalists, Rise selects up to 100 Global Winners to receive various benefits as they work to serve others.

Schmidt Futures/Rhodes Trust Rise Challenge

Application Deadline	January 25, 2023
Funding Type	Fully Funded
Type	College School
Sponsor	Rhodes Trust
Gender	Men and Women

Benefits of Schmidt Futures/Rhodes Trust Rise Challenge

• Residential summit :An invitation to attend a fully-funded, three-week residential summit with other members of the Rise Global Winner cohort—to be held in a rotating location globally for each new cohort—as well as to join network events in subsequent years.
• Mentorship & Career Services:Mentors paired with each Global Winner to provide personal, academic, or professional guidance, and specialized career services for internships and jobs.
• Programming:Virtual and in-person leadership and educational courses designed specifically for the Global Winner cohort, and a service commitment made through the Global Winner Pledge.
• Global Winner Network:Access to a network of other Global Winners across cohorts to connect on common interests, make service commitments, launch enterprises, and collaborate together.
• Higher Education Scholarships:A four-year, post-secondary scholarship at any accredited university, including tuition and a living stipend, based on need and where not already covered by financial aid.

Technology:Technology packages, such as laptops or tablets, to be determined each year.

Requirements for Schmidt Futures/Rhodes Trust Rise Challenge

• Applicants for the 2023 cohort must be between the ages of 15 and 17 as of July 1, 2023, meaning they are born on or between July 2, 2005 and July 1, 2008.
• It does not matter what country they live in, background they come from, or academic experience they have. Whether they are interested in science, innovation, technology, art, policy, community organizing, or any other discipline—we want to hear from them. 

Selection Process

The 100-day Rise Challenge begins at 12:00 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on 18 October 2022 and ends at 16:59 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on 25 January 2023. You are encouraged to pace yourself throughout this time to complete a project before it's over. How you use your time will be up to you, but Rise will provide guidance and suggestions along the way.

Application Deadline

January 25, 2023

How to Apply