Building Leadership with the Bezos Scholars Program

Bezos Scholars

Young people are co-creators in powerful problem-solving every day. When given tools, opportunities, and a platform, their voices inspire fresh insights and solutions. Through the Bezos Scholars Program, an initiative of the Bezos Family Foundation, young people are challenged and equipped to realize their agency by making a positive difference in their schools and communities.

Each year, 12 outstanding U.S. high school juniors and a supporting educator from each of their schools, along with five students from the African Leadership Academy, are selected for the Bezos Scholars Program. Scholars are chosen for demonstrated curiosity, academic rigor and leadership in their community.

The program introduces the scholars to a network of thought leaders and change-makers as part of an all-expenses-paid trip to the Aspen Ideas Festival. It continues to foster scholars’ leadership skills throughout the following academic year, as they return home to create and execute projects aligned with their unique passions that will lead to positive change in their communities.

Over the past 13 years, scholars have tackled many critical issues, including advocating for immigrant rights, increasing STEM literacy, creating healthier food environments in schools, inspiring conservation leadership, and more. Over 218 projects have been created to date, drawing nearly 50,000 attendees. Some are now celebrating their 10th year!

Learn more about the Bezos Scholars Program here.

About the Program

The Bezos Scholars Program is a yearlong leadership development program for rising high school seniors and their educators from public schools. It begins with an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the Aspen Ideas Festival and continues through the following school year when Bezos scholars return home, participate in virtual curriculum, and launch sustainable community change projects that transform their schools and communities.