Rise is the anchor programme for Eric and Wendy Schmidt’s one billion USD philanthropic commitment to identify and support global talent.  An initiative of Schmidt Futures and the Rhodes Trust, Rise will build a global community of future leaders, connecting everyone who applies with a network of peers, learning resources, and additional opportunities from Rise partners around the world. 

Since 2021, Rise has selected 100 Global Winners, aged 15 to 17, from thousands of applications worldwide. Global Winners receive individualised support throughout their lives as they commit their talents to building a better world. Winners attend a residential summit, receive need-based financial support for education and internships, and have access to funding to scale up their social impact throughout their careers. Just like UWC, Rise believes the world needs a new generation of young leaders from across all backgrounds, cultures and continents to solve the world's most pressing issues.

The Rise-UWC partnership has two main components: 

1. A foundational education programme at Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya and in Jordan for 160 refugee students from 2021 to 2023. This foundation programme is run by Amala in collaboration with UWC International and the UWC Kenya National Committee. Read more about the programme here.
2. Additionally, 28 Rise Global Winners from 21 countries have been awarded scholarships (up to all-inclusive funding), attending 16 of the UWC schools and colleges.