At the IB, we believe young people can positively change the world. We witness their commitment to make a meaningful impact every day, and our goal is to support their ideas. The Dr Siva Kumari MYP Student Innovators’ Grant is an opportunity for MYP students to build vital skills to become the socially conscious leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs the world needs today.
The Dr Siva Kumari MYP Innovators Grant is now closed. The IB believes young people can positively change the world so has launched the Global Youth Action Fund open to all young people aged 12-19 globally. Find out more here.
Originally named the MYP Student Innovators’ Grant, The Dr Siva Kumari MYP Innovators’ Grant has been renamed in honor of previous IB Director General Dr Siva Kumari and her commitment to innovation in the field of education. Siva is passionate about inspiring and equipping students to be forces for change and innovation in their communities. She was instrumental in creating a proposal for the grant and securing its approval from the IB Board of Directors in 2019.
A strong focus on social impact
The grant seeks applications from Middle Years Programme (MYP) years 4-5 students who are motivated to start or continue a social impact initiative. Through a competitive application review process, the IB will support up to 30 students every year to create, innovate or expand on an impactful project of their own design. Finalists will receive access to a newly expanded network of peers and grant funding to transform their powerful idea into reality.
Ashoka and the IB collaborating to support young changemakers
Ashoka has pioneered the field of social entrepreneurship, identifying and supporting the world’s leading social entrepreneurs since 1980. The IB and Ashoka both see that in a rapidly changing world, the capacity to adapt and make change is a critical skill in growing up. This is why we have asked Ashoka to offer strategic guidance for the MYP Innovation Platform and grant. Learn more about Ashoka here.
Looking for inspiration from young changemakers? Ashoka LeadYoung is a storytelling initiative that aims to demonstrate the power of a young person who has identified a problem, formed and led a team, and created a solution. We encourage you to read the LeadYoung Stories and subscribe to the Ashoka LeadYoung Newsletter.
About the grants
Finalists selected as Dr Siva Kumari MYP Student Innovator Grantees receive:
- Collaboration with a peer-to-peer network of IB innovation fellows spanning up to 30 IB World Schools
- Mentoring and guidance from a career-level or industry expert to provide knowledge and expertise
- Grant-based funding to enable their idea to become reality, with varying awards based on project needs
