Rise Challenge

Scholarship Sponsored by Schmidt Futures and the Rhodes Trust

Every year, Rise extends an invitation to young individuals aged 15-17 from all corners of the globe to partake in the Rise Challenge. Unlike conventional application processes, Rise employs a variety of methods such as videos, projects, and group interviews, providing applicants with numerous avenues to exhibit their potential. For those who may not have access to technology, we also provide an alternative paper-based application pathway.

Applicants are given the opportunity to introduce themselves through video or text responses, develop a personal project that not only showcases their talents but also benefits their communities, complete assessments, and engage in peer review of other applicants' projects, among other activities.

Upon completion of the Rise Challenge, Rise selects up to 500 finalists to proceed to the "Finalist Days". Here, they are given the chance to display their motivations, problem-solving capabilities, and teamwork skills in a unique interview format.

From these finalists, we select up to 100 Rise Global Winners, providing them with opportunities to serve others throughout their lifetime.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for the 2024 cohort should be between the ages of 15 and 17 as of July 1, 2024, which means they should be born on or between July 2, 2006, and July 1, 2009.

Your geographical location or academic experience does not influence your eligibility. We welcome applicants with interests in a wide range of disciplines, including but not limited to science, innovation, technology, art, policy, and community organizing.

Rise is committed to identifying promising young individuals and providing them with opportunities to serve others throughout their lifetime. We acknowledge that economic barriers are not the only obstacles that prevent exceptional individuals from dedicating their lives to the service of others.

What Does Rise Seek?

Rise Global Winners are a diverse group of individuals hailing from various parts of the world, excelling in a multitude of disciplines. Some may shine in STEM fields, others may display exceptional artistic abilities, while some may have a knack for community service and organizing.

All Rise Global Winners embody the five Rise Traits:

• Brilliance
• Perseverance
• Integrity
• Empathy
• Calling

Evaluation of the Application

The objective of our selection process is to evaluate you holistically, focusing not just on your past accomplishments but also on your potential to dedicate a lifetime to serving others. To achieve this, we have divided our selection process into distinct components to gain a comprehensive understanding of you as an individual.

Peer Review

Your responses will be evaluated by a randomly selected group of your peers (fellow Rise applicants) based on the Rise Traits. This review, along with the other information you've provided throughout the application process, will contribute to a composite score.

Expert Review

Submissions with the highest scores will be evaluated by a panel of judges. This panel comprises global experts from diverse backgrounds working across various fields.

Live Evaluation

Up to 500 finalists will be chosen to participate in a series of activities and interviews. These applicants will undergo further evaluation by an additional review panel that selects up to 100 Global Winners.

The application process can be likened to a jigsaw puzzle, with multiple pieces: your responses to the short essay questions, your reviews of other applicants' responses, others' reviews of your responses, your project, your profile information, and other assessments. All these pieces are crucial and together form a comprehensive picture of you as an applicant throughout the Rise Challenge.