We create Global Citizens
50 Scholarships for Young Changemakers in Australia & New Zealand
Join an award-winning virtual exchange that empowers young people to become globally engaged changemakers through STEM and sustainability.
Over 12 weeks, young people from throughout Australia and New Zealand (aged 15-17.5 years) engage in a hands-on curriculum developed with the University of Pennsylvania Center for Social Impact Strategy (Penn CSIS) that integrates STEM learning, social impact, and global competence.
Learn to develop prototypes to address global challenges, earn the Advanced Certificate on Global Competence for Social Impact, and join an extensive network of global alumni.
Friends of AFS in Australia ( FAFSA) is proud to be a part of the collaborative team that delivers this program with AFS International as a part of their Global STEM Changemakers Initiative, AFS New Zealand and Value Learning.
Program dates: Friday 2 May - Friday 25 July, 2025
Who should apply
Students with a keen interest in STEM and sustainability, from diverse backgrounds throughout New Zealand and Australia, are strongly encouraged to apply for this full scholarship program. A minimum of 20% of scholarship spots are earmarked for students from Aboriginal, Māori, Torres Strait Islander, Pasifika, and Indigenous communities, as well as refugees and displaced students.
Application Checklist
Participants: 15-17.5 years-old
Timeframe: 12 weeks
Learning: online modules
Time needed: 2-4 hours/week
Live session: 90-minute session per week
Delivered by: AFS qualified facilitators
The program
Scholarship winners participate in an immersive 12-week virtual exchange program focused on sustainability, intercultural skills, and social impact, co-developed with the University of Pennsylvania Center for Social Impact Strategy.
Award winning impact
The AFS Global STEM Changemakers Initiative has earned AFS several distinctions in international education, including The PIE’s (Professionals in International Education) PIEoneer of the Year Award, celebrating program innovation and achievement, as well as Diversity Abroad’s Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion in International Education (EDIIE) Award, honouring advancements towards diversity, inclusivity, and community outreach.
Elevate your skills
Enrich your STEM knowledge and skills through an interactive curriculum, while developing critical global competencies, including problem-solving, analytical skills, and intercultural understanding. The program culminates with social impact capstone presentations that offer potential solutions to real-world challenges, including climate change and the energy transition.
Your reward
Earn the Advanced Certificate on Global Competence for Social Impact, and join an extensive network of global alumni.
What our participants say...
Meet Ava - Global STEM Changemaker 2025
The AFS Global STEM Changemakers Program was nothing short of phenomenal. The passionate facilitators, who were so committed to empowering young people and the mission of the program, supported and guided us every step of the way. AFS not only equipped me with the tools to be a problem solver but also helped me become more empathetic, globally aware, and determined to play an active role in shaping a better future.
This experience was truly life changing, and the lessons I’ve learned continue to influence how I approach challenges and contribute to my community day to day.
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