Taipei: The Ministry of Education (MOE) announced on Thursday that an innovative program aimed at encouraging young Taiwanese to engage in volunteering, internships, and other educational activities abroad will begin accepting applications next year. This initiative is backed by governmental financial support.According to Focus Taiwan, the program is facilitated by the newly established Youth Overseas Dream Fund, which seeks to assist young individuals in expanding their global perspectives. MOE Deputy Minister Yeh Ping-cheng detailed at a Cabinet news conference that the program plans to select around 550 participants in 2025. Applicants, who must be Taiwanese nationals aged 15 to 30, are invited to submit proposals specifying their desired destinations and learning objectives.The Deputy Minister emphasized the program's inclusivity, encouraging young people with innovative ideas to apply, irrespective of their financial backgrounds. The MOE will provide expert guidance to help applicants develop viable proposals. Successful candidates will be eligible for grants of up to NT$2 million (US$61,426).In addition to submitting personal proposals, participants can apply for overseas projects developed by the MOE and other government bodies. Current negotiations include student tours to French central government agencies and Indigenous villages in Canada. Comprehensive details about the program will be made available in January.According to the MOE, the government has allocated NT$10 billion over the next four years to support the Youth Overseas Dream Fund through the central government budgets. Executive Yuan spokesperson Michelle Lee mentioned that Premier Cho Jung-tai expressed the program's goal of aiding young individuals in realizing their dreams and ultimately contributing their expertise to Taiwan's future growth.