This program provides young scholars with an opportunity to research Universal Basic Income (UBI). Through workshops and projects, the UBI Youth Scholars program offers a comprehensive understanding of basic income. Students will grasp the implications of basic income for their country and beyond. With an array of learning methods – lectures, readings, case studies, and project-based experiences – students will explore UBI’s history, principles, and real-world applications. After the workshops, the program will organize meetings with the group to develop their projects and update their progress with their mentors and the entire group.

Program Highlights

Lecture series: Gain deep insights from experts as they guide you through the principles of Universal Basic Income, its economic foundations, socio-political implications, and the real-world challenges of implementation.
Hands-on workshops: Build essential academic and professional skills through hands-on workshops in research methodology, data analysis, public speaking, and academic writing — empowering you to succeed in any research or policy environment.
Projects: Work side by side with brilliant peers and renowned professors on cutting-edge projects. Analyze real-world UBI data, assess its economic and social impact, and develop creative, evidence-based solutions to today’s policy challenges.
Final Presentation: Showcase your hard work at the internationally recognized BIEN Congress, presenting your findings to an audience of top researchers, policymakers, and thought leaders from around the globe.

What Participants Say

“Working on the project proposals, especially the comparison between UBI and alternative welfare programs, sharpened my analytical skills and allowed me to contribute to meaningful discussions. The mentorship provided throughout the program by my supervisor Tyler was invaluable, guiding me through the complexities of policy analysis and project development.”

– UBI Youth Scholar, Spring 2025)

Program Details

Who can apply: High-achieving high school and undergraduate students worldwide
Language: English
Host: UBI Taiwan, Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN)
Location: International (Virtual & In-Person Components)

Fall 2025 Session

About Us

Youth Scholars Program
The UBI Youth Scholars Program is a program designed to cultivate the next generation of UBI researchers and advocates. Through mentorship, research projects, and participation in international summits, the program provides students with an opportunity to critically explore UBI’s feasibility and implications. Scholars will engage in expert-led lectures, workshops, and project-based learning, allowing them to contribute original ideas to the global conversation on basic income. The program also fosters cross-cultural collaboration by connecting students from different countries, culminating in the annual Youth Summit alongside the BIEN Congress.

Our Mission
Empower young scholars to critically examine and advance Universal Basic Income as a transformative approach to economic and social equity.

Our Vision
Create a global network of young researchers and advocates who can thoughtfully address complex socioeconomic challenges through innovative policy solutions.

Who is it for?
Ambitious high school students passionate about
Undergraduate students interested in economics, policy, and social change
Young leaders committed to understanding systemic approaches to economic justice

Program Benefits
Mentorship:
。Direct guidance from UBI researchers and experts
。One-on-one mentorship to support your research and personal growth
。Access to a global network of UBI professionals and academics
Leadership and research skill development:
。Develop critical thinking and research skills
。Enhance public speaking and presentation capabilities
。Build international collaboration and communication expertise
。Gain experience in professional research methodologies
Publication opportunities
。Potential to co-author research papers with distinguished professors
。Platform to publish findings in academic journals and conferences
。Opportunity to contribute to the global UBI research landscape
Scholarship opportunities
。Potential financial support for outstanding participants
。Travel grants for attending international conferences
。Academic credit and recommendation letters for future educational pursuits
Global collaborative experience

Program Structure

Application & Competitive Selection
Orientation & Onboarding
Expert-led Lectures & Workshops
Collaborative projects
Mentorship and Guidance
International Presentation Opportunity

Collaboration Vision

We are building a dynamic, international network of educational institutions committed to exploring Universal Basic Income. Our partnerships aim to:

Create interdisciplinary research opportunities
Foster global understanding of economic policy
Provide students with real-world research experience
Develop innovative solutions to socioeconomic challenges

Interested high schools, universities, and professors can contact us to explore collaboration opportunities.

HOW TO APPLY

Application Details

Email: contact@ubitaiwan.org

。Write a motivation letter explaining your interest in UBI
。Complete online application form
。Participate in a short interview with program coordinators

Selection Criteria

Demonstrated interest in social sciences, economics, or policy research
Passion for understanding innovative social and economic solutions
Strong communication skills

Why Join the UBI Youth Scholars Program?

Be part of a cutting-edge global movement
Gain unique research and professional development experiences
Contribute to meaningful social and economic research
Build an impressive academic and professional portfolio
Connect with like-minded students from around the world

Leadership and Mentors

Tyler Prochazka

Tyler is a PhD candidate at National Chengchi University and the founder of UBI Taiwan. He established UBI Taiwan in 2016 when he began planning the first-ever Basic Income Asia Pacific conference at NCCU. Tyler was previously a research assistant for the U.S. State Department on global Artificial Intelligence trends. As a former national and state champion in debate, journalism, and public speaking himself, Tyler has coached high school and middle school national champions in policy debate and public forum debate.

In 2018, Tyler received his MA from NCCU in Asia Pacific Studies as part of the U.S. State Department Fulbright Scholarship. He received honors degrees in Economics, International Affairs, and Asian Religions and Cultures at Western Kentucky University, and a certificate in Chinese from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Chinese Flagship program.

Dr. Cheng Furui

Dr. Furui Cheng is an associate professor in the Department of Capital Finance at the School of Business, China University of Political Science and Law. She holds a Ph.D. in Management from Tsinghua University, as well as a Master’s degree in Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Harbin Institute of Technology. She was also a visiting scholar in the United States for one year, supported by the China Scholarship Council’s Young Backbone Teachers Program. From 2015 to 2017, she completed her postdoctoral research at the Institute of American Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Dr. Cheng’s academic focus includes social dividends and basic income policy, and she actively contributes to international discussions in this field. She has presented papers at several global conferences organized by the Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN), including in Finland, Portugal, Taiwan, and South Korea. She serves as an English editor for BIEN and leads the China Social Dividend/Basic Income Research Network (bienchina.com). Dr. Cheng has also demonstrated a strong commitment to student mentorship, having guided students to win a national first prize in the 14th “Challenge Cup” National Undergraduate Academic and Technological Works Competition.

Dr. Sarath Davala

Sarath Davala is an Indian sociologist, and President of Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN). He is co-author of the book: Basic Income: A Transformative Policy for India and contributing author to the Earth4All deep-dive paper Unconditional cash transfers and the five turnarounds: beneficiaries’ perspectives. He was Research Director of the Madhya Pradesh Basic Income Pilot (2010-2014) and is currently co-director of WorkFREE, a Basic Income pilot with waste collectors in Hyderabad. He is the co-founder of India Network for Basic Income and Mission Possible 2030 – both working on promoting informed conversation about Basic Income.

Basic Income: A Transformative Policy for India https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/58784

https://en.unesco.org/inclusivepolicylab/users/sarath-davala

Youth Leadership Council

As part of the UBI Youth Scholars Program, the Youth Leadership Council is a group of select high school students working on social impact projects in the spirit of basic income. The Youth Leadership Council was founded by Miria Chung and Evan Tseng in 2023 in coordination with UBI Taiwan.

Events

Charity UBI debate tournaments

Date: December 2024 July 2025 | Location: Ascent Academy

In order to promote civic dialogue on the issue of basic income, we expect to organise a debate open to all Taiwanese university and high school students at the beginning of July, with the best teams receiving prizes and participating in the BIEN Congress International Summit in Brazil this August.

To encourage Taiwanese students to participate in this debate competition, we are offering a free pre-competition training workshop, which is expected to be held in June. The workshop will teach basic knowledge about debate structure, debate techniques, etc. to equip students with the ability to cope with the competition.

Fundraiser Concerts

UBI Taiwan continues to conduct experiments on basic income for single-parent families to understand the possibilities of basic income in Taiwan. We need donations from all walks of life to support this endeavour. We will be holding a fundraising concert in June, inviting performers to perform in any format.