American software engineer cum entrepreneur, Eric Schmidt, alongside his wife, Wendy Schmidt have called for applications for the 2023 global Rise Challenge in a bid to offer opportunities to brilliant minds in society.
An initiative of Schmidt Future in conjunction with the Rhodes Trust, the Rise challenge offers a Ksh121 billion prize for the winners of the competition.
According to the Rise website, the aim of the challenge is to find brilliant people who need an opportunity and support their ventures for life. The project seeks applicants aged between 15 to 17 years.
"The program is personalized and flexible, tailored to Global Winners’ needs as they evolve over time. We aim to provide Global Winners with individualized support to empower them to achieve their goals while they work to serve others throughout their lives.
"Everyone who applies joins a global community of leaders and gains access to free online courses and opportunities from our partners around the world," read part of their website.
Eric Schmidt, a renowned technologist, served as Google's CEO from 2001 to 2011 and is hailed for spearheading the company's rise to a tech juggernaut in silicon valley.
Wendy, on the other hand, has spent over 16 years creating innovative non-profit organizations to work with communities around the world.
In September 2022, eight Kenyan students were feted among 100 winners selected from the competition. This is after 80,000 students applied globally from which 500 were shortlisted.
The winners included Edith Chemutai, James Nyaga Ngatia, Marietta Halima Kazungu, Natasha Njoki Ndai, Wema Wambugo Marandu, Belinta Simiyu, Annette Odhiambo and Lesein Mutunkei.
How to Apply
Applicants for the 2023 cohort must be between the ages of 15 and 17 as of July 1, 2023, meaning they are born on or between July 2, 2005, and July 1, 2008.
Applications should be made online through the official website www (dot) risefortheworld (dot) org (slash) applytorise
Click either Join tab or Sign in to the existing Account.
You will be directed to the careers page, fill in your personal details, professional and academic qualifications, experience, file attachments, referees and any other relevant information.
After filling in all the requisite tabs, click submit.
