The U21 Global Citizens Program is a three-week experiential online course designed to help students develop leadership skills while deepening their understanding of today’s most pressing global challenges.

By the end of the program, participants will be:

• Equipped to take rapid action on a chosen Sustainable Development Goal
• Able to collaborate with diverse, global networks
• Ready to challenge preconceptions and understand different perspectives
• Better equipped to operate across hierarchies
• More prepared to live by their values and maintain integrity
• Better connected to U21 students around the world

You will connect and collaborate with a cohort of students from across U21’s international network, fostering global perspectives and cross-cultural engagement.

No. This is a non-credit student leadership development program. Students can check with their academic advisors to see if they can use this co-curricular experience to meet any of their program requirements.

$0. Because the University of Maryland is a member of the U21 network, this program is open to UMD students free of charge.

Eligibility includes:

• All degree-seeking students currently enrolled at University of Maryland, College Park
• Priority given to undergraduate students, especially graduating seniors
• Open to graduate students
• Open to international students on F-1 and J-1 status
• All participants must be 18 years or older by March 9, 2026.

Note: Students who have previously completed the U21 Global Citizens Program are not eligible to participate again.

75 spots are available.

You are expected to commit to:

• Three weeks of online learning and global engagement
• 2 hours per week of individual, self-paced work
• A 1.5-hour weekly live reflective session via video conference

These weekly sessions:

• Are conducted via video conference
• Are facilitated by Common Purpose
• Help consolidate learning
• Provide opportunities for real-time interaction with other participants

Yes. Students who complete the three-week program and final assessment will receive a Global Citizenship micro-credential from U21 and Common Purpose, which can be:

• Added to your professional resume
• Displayed on your LinkedIn profile

The UMD internal application window is January 13 – February 8, 2026.  Please apply via this APPLICATION FORM.

The Global Learning Initiative staff will notify you no later than February 13, 2026 whether you are nominated or not.

The University of Maryland will forward your information to U21. You will receive email communication directly from U21 and/or Common Purpose before the program start date regarding program registration. It is critical that you monitor your email address and respond to the U21/ Common Purpose messages. All of the asynchronous content will be available on the Global Citizens online platform that you will receive a login for a few days before the course start date. Within the online material you will be able to sign up for the synchronous, live zoom reflective workshop sessions.

Each live reflective workshop session will last 1.5 hours.  There are 4 options each week and you only need to participate in one of them. All times listed below are Maryland local time (Eastern Daylight Time).

Week 1:

Online content goes live: Monday, March 9, 2026

Workshop options:

Tuesday, March 10 — 11:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 11 — 9:00 a.m.

Thursday, March 12 — 1:00 a.m.

Thursday, March 12 — 1:00 p.m.

Week 2: 

Online content goes live: Monday, March 16, 2026

Workshop options:

Tuesday, March 17 — 11:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 18 — 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, March 19 — 1:00 a.m.

Thursday, March 19 — 1:00 p.m.

Week 3: 

Online content goes live: Monday, March 23, 2026

Workshop options:

Tuesday, March 24 — 11:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 25 — 1:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 26 — 1:00 a.m.

Thursday, March 26 — 9:00 a.m.

Visit the U21 Global Citizens Program webpage for more details.