The LIONS Scholarship

Supporting the next generation of creative talent.

For Cannes Lions 2026, we’re once again offering 10 fully funded scholarships to underrepresented talent within the creative industry.

What’s the LIONS Scholarship?

The LIONS Scholarship is designed to support the next generation of talent, placing an emphasis on diversity of location, gender, race, class, preference and perspective. With five places available in the Brand Marketers Academy and five in the Creative Academy, a total of 10 under-30s from 10 countries will be accepted for the Scholarship.

The LIONS Academies

Five places available on each of the following academies.

Creative Academy

We encourage all creatives to apply including, but not limited to, Art Directors, Copywriters, Graphic/UX Designers, Directors, Journalists, PR, Creative Technologists and Engineers.

More about the Academy

Brand Marketing Academy

We encourage brand/client-side marketers to apply including, but not limited to Brand and Marketing Managers, Digital Marketers, Marketing Directors and Social Media Managers.

More about the Academy

What's included?

If you’re selected, you’ll get a fully funded trip to Cannes Lions 2026, including accommodation, travel and allowance. You’ll also get a Young Lions Festival pass, which will give you access to inspiring classroom sessions with world-class speakers, hands-on learning and coaching from industry legends.

LIONS Scholarship Cohort 2026

Abraham Reinaldo Zavala Treviño

Tecate Sr. Brand Executive

Heineken México

Ayoyemi Oladipo

Writer and Content Producer

Freelance

Carolina Chaparro

Brand Manager

Alicorp

Catherine Nathasya

Copywriter

Dentsu Creative

Javaad Ahmed

Creative

Talented

Kaelan Ashford-Jones

Sr. Coordinator, Global Brand Marketing

Major League Baseball

Le Ngoc Thien Trang

Business Development Manager

NESTLÉ

Marion Manabat

Senior Art Director

Ogilvy

Merlyn Koh

Product Marketing Manager

Google

Sabrina Rachid

Motion Designer

GUT Design

Who can apply?

Applications are open to people born on or after 26 June 1995. The minimum age for applying is 18 years old, and proof of age will be required. You’ll also need to have a minimum of two years’ work experience in a role to be eligible. The LIONS Academies are presented in English.

How do you select who gets to join the programme?

Every year, we receive hundreds of applications for the LIONS Scholarship – and we judge every application through a two-stage process. After your initial application, we use a jury of over 40 creatives to create a shortlist. Our jurors are creative directors, art directors, creative partners and copywriters from around the world, so they know exactly what creative excellence looks like and who has the potential to reach it.

Important dates

Applications open: 7 October 2025, 00:01 GMT Applications close: 5 December 2025, 00:01 GMT Applicants notified: 22 January 2026

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn, grow, and experience the world of marketing and creativity on a global stage. Being selected through a global competition, with all expenses covered, makes the experience even more meaningful. You don’t have to worry about logistics—just get on the plane immerse yourself in the world of creativity.

Tauhid Irteza Ali

Brand Marketing Senior Manager

Contact information

If you have any further questions that weren’t addressed in the FAQs or need help with your application, please contact talentprogrammes@canneslions.com.