Each spring, 30 top high school juniors and exceptional educators from across the U.S. and Africa are selected as Bezos Scholars. After spending a week immersed in learning at the Aspen Ideas Festival, they return home to inspire local action by developing a community change project that combines Scholars unique interests with a defined community need.
The Bezos Scholars Program has built a strong network of alumni and provides opportunities for them to connect, get inspired, and further develop their leadership skills.
Scholars are teams of rising high school seniors who have demonstrated accomplishment, embraced new challenges, and aspire to lead change in their community.
24 Student and Educator Scholars from across the U.S. and 6 from the African Leadership Academy are selected every year. After being immersed in learning at the Aspen Ideas Festival the scholars return home to inspire action in their schools, communities, and beyond.
Upon returning home, Scholars are tasked with developing and executing their own community change project, known as a Local Ideas Festival (LIF). Scholars have taken on a diverse range of issues—clean water access, voter registration, STEM education, youth literacy, and more.
