Every January, while energy ministers gather in Abu Dhabi for the IRENA Assembly, a different kind of conversation is happening on the margins — young engineers, startup founders, researchers and campaigners sitting in the same rooms as the people who set renewable energy policy. That's the IRENA Youth Forum, the International Renewable Energy Agency's flagship platform for youth in the energy transition, and its eighth edition lands in Abu Dhabi this January.
The 2027 theme is "Youth Energising the Future: Grids, Storage and Flexibility for Renewable Energy Systems" — a look at how young people are advancing grid modernisation, energy storage and system flexibility to bring more renewables online and expand reliable energy access worldwide. And yes, up to 40 selected participants get fully funded participation: travel, accommodation and visa support, with no application or participation fee for anyone.
One critical warning: the expression of interest closes on 30 September 2026 at midnight Abu Dhabi time — that's today. If you're reading this now and you work in renewable energy, don't finish the article first. Go to the official IRENA page, submit your expression of interest, then come back and read this properly.
In short: The IRENA Youth Forum 2027 is a fully funded youth forum in Abu Dhabi (6–13 January 2027) for 18–35-year-olds from any country working in renewable energy or sustainability. Up to 40 participants receive travel, accommodation and visa support. Expressions of interest close 30 September 2026 at midnight Abu Dhabi local time (UTC+4).
Quick Overview
- Host Country: United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi)
- Host Institution: International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
- Degree Level: Youth forum (no degree requirement)
- Program Duration: 6–13 January 2027
- Funding Type: Fully funded (up to 40 participants); no application or participation fee
- Deadline: 30 September 2026, midnight Abu Dhabi local time (UTC+4)
Benefits of the IRENA Youth Forum 2027
Here's what being selected — particularly among the up to 40 fully funded participants — actually gets you:
- Fully funded travel to Abu Dhabi — international flights covered for the selected participants.
- Accommodation covered — your stay in Abu Dhabi is arranged and paid for.
- Visa support — IRENA supports your UAE visa process, which matters given the tight turnaround between the November notifications and the January forum.
- Zero fees — there is no application fee and no participation fee for anyone, funded or otherwise.
- A seat at the policy table — the forum runs on the margins of the IRENA Assembly, so you're in direct dialogue with ministers, agency heads and decision-makers, not watching from a livestream.
- The full Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week ecosystem — beyond the forum itself, you'll be part of the youth booth and lounge activities and the IRENA Pavilion at ADSW, alongside governments, investors, researchers and international organisations.
- Global youth network — you'll spend a week with young energy leaders from every region, building partnerships that outlast the forum.
- A stage for your work — the forum highlights youth-led projects, startups and research in the energy transition, giving your work visibility in front of the sector's most influential audience.
Eligibility Criteria for the IRENA Youth Forum 2027
The forum is deliberately broad — IRENA is looking for doers, not degrees. You're eligible if you:
- Are aged 18 to 35 — at the time of the forum in January 2027.
- Are actively engaged in renewable energy, sustainability, innovation, or a related field — this is the core test.
- Are leading or contributing to a project, startup, research programme, or advocacy initiative — that advances the energy transition. You need something concrete to point to, not just an interest.
- Are motivated to collaborate with peers and partners — to scale impact globally.
- Come from any country — applications are welcome from all countries around the world.
- Can apply in English — all applications must be submitted in English, and the forum runs in English. There's no formal language test.
There is no degree requirement. Selection takes into account geographic and gender balance, as well as your demonstrated commitment to the energy transition.
How to Apply for the IRENA Youth Forum 2027
The application is an expression of interest (EOI) submitted online through the official IRENA event page. Here's how it works:
1. Go to the official IRENA Youth Forum 2027 event page — the application form (expression of interest) is embedded there. 2. Complete the expression of interest — fill in your details and describe your engagement with renewable energy: your project, startup, research or advocacy work. 3. Write in English — all applications must be submitted in English, so draft your answers with care. 4. Submit before the EOI deadline — 30 September 2026 at midnight, Abu Dhabi local time (UTC+4). 5. Wait for results — notifications go out to every applicant by 15 November 2026. 6. Move fast on logistics if selected — with only about seven weeks between notification and the forum, start your visa paperwork the moment you hear back. IRENA provides visa support, but your responsiveness matters.
Questions about the process can be sent to youth@irena.org.
Required Documents
IRENA's call describes the application as an expression of interest submitted through the online form. Before you start, have these ready:
- Personal details — as requested in the online form.
- A clear description of your energy-transition work — your project, startup, research programme or advocacy initiative, since this is what your application is judged on.
- Motivation for attending — why this forum, and what you'll bring to it.
IRENA Youth Forum 2027 Deadline
The expression of interest closes on 30 September 2026 at midnight, Abu Dhabi local time (UTC+4). Results will be communicated to all applicants by 15 November 2026.
If you miss the deadline, you're out for this edition — there is no late submission. The forum itself is annual, so the 2028 edition will be your next chance. But right now, with hours left on the clock, there's no reason to wait: the form is an expression of interest, not a thesis, and the only cost of applying is your time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IRENA Youth Forum 2027 really fully funded?
For up to 40 selected participants, yes — travel, accommodation and visa support are covered, and there is no application or participation fee. Additional applicants may be invited on a partially funded or self-funded basis, which still gets you into the forum and the Assembly closing session but leaves flights and hotel to you.
What exactly do the 40 fully funded spots cover?
Travel to Abu Dhabi, accommodation, and visa support. IRENA has not published a daily allowance, so budget for your own incidental spending — meals outside the programme, local transport and personal expenses.
Who can apply?
Anyone aged 18 to 35 at the time of the forum, from any country, who is actively engaged in renewable energy, sustainability, innovation or a related field. You should be leading or contributing to a project, startup, research programme or advocacy initiative that advances the energy transition.
Do I need a degree to apply?
No. There is no degree requirement and no language test. What matters is your demonstrated engagement with the energy transition — the work you're actually doing.
When and where is the forum?
Abu Dhabi, UAE, from 6 to 13 January 2027. The Youth Forum itself runs 6–7 January, the closing session takes place during the 17th IRENA Assembly on 8 January, and youth-led activities continue at the Youth Booth and Lounge and the IRENA Pavilion at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week from 9–13 January.
What is the 2027 theme?
"Youth Energising the Future: Grids, Storage and Flexibility for Renewable Energy Systems" — exploring grid modernisation, energy storage, system flexibility, and the policies, financing and skills needed to integrate more renewables.
What if I miss the deadline?
There's no late route. But the forum is annual — prepare your profile and your project description now so you're ready to apply the day the next edition opens.
Is there an application or participation fee?
No. There is no application fee and no participation fee for anyone, whether fully funded, partially funded or self-funded.
How are participants selected?
Selection takes into account geographic and gender balance, as well as demonstrated commitment to the energy transition. All applicants are notified of results by 15 November 2026.
Can I reapply if I wasn't selected before?
Yes — each edition is a fresh application round. Many forum alumni applied more than once before being selected, and each year the themes and selection balance shift.
Final Words
The IRENA Youth Forum is one of those rare events where the audience is the prize: ministers, agency heads, investors and researchers, all within arm's reach for a week in Abu Dhabi. With 40 fully funded spots and zero application fees, the barrier to entry has never been lower — the only real barrier is the deadline, and it's hours away. If renewable energy is your work, get your expression of interest in now.
