Unlocking the Power of Youth Leadership
For more than two decades, the Bezos Scholars Program has been amplifying youth voice and helping young people take action to make a positive difference in their communities.
We envision a world where all young people lead and contribute to meaningful community change.
We believe all young people:
- Are exceptional and have the potential to be leaders.
- Deserve opportunities to generate creative ideas, lead and act on issues they care about.
- Benefit from supportive, caring adults advocating for youth-led ideas and initiatives.
- Need to feel a sense of belonging and purpose to learn, grow, be brave and bold.
- Learn most effectively when engaged in programs backed by the science of learning.
- Thrive when connecting and collaborating with diverse communities.
What it Means to be a Bezos Scholar
Turning Passion into Action
An Idea That Sparked a Program
When the Aspen Ideas Festival was first envisioned as a gathering of global leaders to discuss and collaborate on pressing societal issues, our founders, Jackie and Mike Bezos, posed a simple but powerful question: “How will young people be included?” That question and their determination to ensure youth had a voice in shaping the future led to the creation of the Bezos Family Foundation’s first program, the Bezos Scholars Program, launched in 2005 alongside the inaugural cohort of Scholars at the Aspen Ideas Festival.
Since then, the program has evolved from a way to invite youth perspectives at the Ideas Festival to a yearlong leadership development program that amplifies youth voice and action across the United States and Africa.
Today, the program stands out for its small annual cohort of students and educators from across regions and backgrounds and its record of incubating community change on the local level.
Bezos Scholars Stats
Bezos Scholars worldwide
Community Change Projects
Years impacting youth
Committed to Equal Opportunity
We prohibit discrimination based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political ideology, disability, or any legally protected status.
Meet the Scholars
Bezos Scholars are united by a shared desire to make a difference and drive change.
2026 Applications Open Nov. 18
Ready to turn your passion into action? Learn how to apply to the Bezos Scholars Program and join a global community of young leaders creating change that lasts.