Young Professional Fellowship Washington 2026: How to Apply and Why You Should

If you have ever wanted to walk the halls of the US Capitol, sit inside the UN General Assembly, or be in the same room with young changemakers from across the world, then the Washington Youth Forum 2026 (WYF) might be the opportunity you have been waiting for.

Applications are now open for the Washington Youth Forum 2026, a fully funded conference presented by the Young Professional Fellowship. It is designed to empower young leaders aged 18 to 35 who are passionate about governance, diplomacy, and social impact.  

What Is the Washington Youth Forum?

The Young Professional Fellowship (YPF) is a non-profit organisation empowering youth to become confident and skilled leaders ready to address global challenges. Through its events across the globe, YPF offers transformative experiences through panel talks, experiential learning activities, and cultural representation sessions. 

The Washington Youth Forum is the flagship edition of this programme, bringing that experience straight to the heart of American power.

The forum brings together emerging changemakers from across the world to strengthen leadership capacity, policy awareness, and civic engagement through interactive learning and meaningful dialogue. Through leadership workshops, policy simulations, and collaborative strategy sessions, participants will develop the knowledge and practical skills required to understand global governance systems and actively contribute to policy conversations shaping the future. 

When and Where

The forum takes place in Washington, DC, from September 15 to 18, 2026. Four days. One city that runs the world.

What You Get

The forum offers three categories of seats:

-25 Fully Funded Seats

-50 Partially Funded Seats

-125 Self-Funded Seats

For fully funded participants, the scholarship covers return airfare, accommodation, an official invitation letter, full summit access, a 100% waiver on the forum fee, meals during the programme, a fellowship kit and merchandise, speaking engagement opportunities, and a certificate of completion.  

Beyond the logistics, you also get access to two experiences that most people only read about in the news — a Capitol Hill Experience and an exclusive visit to the UN General Assembly. These are not sightseeing trips. They are designed to put you inside the actual spaces where policy is made and global decisions are taken.

Who Should Apply?

The forum is open to students, young professionals, entrepreneurs, and social leaders who are passionate about leadership, diplomacy, or community development. No IELTS or TOEFL is required, though proficiency in English is essential. Applicants from all academic and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.  

If you run a business, lead a community initiative, advocate for change, or are simply serious about understanding how the world works — this is for you. The forum is open to applicants from all countries. 

Key Themes

The discussions at the forum are built around six areas:

-Youth in Leadership and Public Policy

-Diplomacy and Global Governance

-Education Innovation and Impact

-Climate Leadership and Responsibility

-Sustainable Development and Innovation

-Global Leadership and Collaboration

What Is the Deadline?

The application deadline is 10 May, 2026.  

One Important Note

This programme requires an application processing fee of $30 to be considered for the scholarship (fully funded) category

 This is paid directly to the organisers. Keep that in mind as you prepare your application.

Apply using the link below 👇🏼 

https://wyf.youngprofessionalfellowship.org/apply/