Take Action Lab is Tilting Futures’ semester program for high-school graduates from around the world. The February 2027 term combines online preparation with in-person learning, shared living, and an apprenticeship in Cape Town or George Town.
Applicants choose between Civic Innovation in South Africa and Environment & Sustainability in Malaysia. Both routes use a common curriculum and pair participants with local organizations, and participants may separately pursue 12 University of Pittsburgh credits through dual admission.
Benefits & funding
- Tuition is USD 21,000; need-based financial aid is available during the second admissions step.
- Tuition includes the curriculum, cultural activities, apprenticeship matching and support, furnished shared housing with a private bedroom, utilities and Wi-Fi, local staff support, and arrival and departure airport transfers.
- Participants receive a pre-loaded debit card for basic groceries, commuting, mobile data, and other essentials.
- International flights, passports, vaccines, and other pre-arrival expenses are not included.
- The optional 12-credit University of Pittsburgh route requires separate applications and admission by both organizations.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be 17–21 years old by the program start date and have graduated from high school.
- Applicants must be proficient in English and able to join full time without taking other courses.
- Applicants worldwide may apply. A citizen of a host country who also lives there may not join the placement in that same country; an eligible route in the other host country may remain available.
- Previous Take Action Lab participants cannot apply again.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
High School
Age requirement
17–21 yrs
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Application process
- 1Review the program and complete the eligibility quiz.
- 2Create an account and submit the online application; the form can be saved and completed in under two hours.
- 3If invited to the feasibility stage, confirm passport and health-history requirements and submit a financial-aid application if needed.
- 4Complete the interview after all feasibility checklist items are cleared.
- 5If selected, sign the offer letter, obtain a parent or guardian signature, and pay any required deposit.
Program timeline
Final application deadline for the February 2027 term
Oct 2, 2026
February term starts
Feb 1, 2027
February term ends
May 25, 2027