Introduction

The St. Gallen Symposium Global Ideas Competition 2027 invites graduate and postgraduate students worldwide to present ideas addressing a shared global question. Participants compete for selection as Leaders of Tomorrow at the 56th St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland. The three best ideas will share a total prize fund of CHF 20,000, while the top 100 participants qualify for symposium participation with covered expenses.

Previously called the Global Essay Competition, the initiative now places greater emphasis on ideas, supporting evidence, and proposed solutions. Applicants submit a written Solution Brief alongside a Video Explainer rather than relying on a written essay alone. The competition offers students an opportunity to develop their arguments and contribute to discussions involving younger participants and senior leaders.

Scholarship Overview

This opportunity is an international student ideas competition, rather than a scholarship funding a degree program. It combines competitive cash awards with the opportunity to attend the St. Gallen Symposium as a Leader of Tomorrow. Applications are submitted through the organizer’s official website.

• Opportunity: St. Gallen Symposium Global Ideas Competition 2027
• Eligible applicants: Students enrolled in master’s or postgraduate programs at a regular university
• Competition question: “What could we solve, if we could agree?”
• Selected participants: The top 100 qualify as Leaders of Tomorrow
• Prize fund: CHF 20,000 shared among the three best ideas
• Application deadline: 1 February 2027, at 11:59 p.m.

Host Country

The symposium takes place in Switzerland, while applicants register for the competition online. Selection among the top 100 gives participants access to the 56th St. Gallen Symposium. For these Leaders of Tomorrow, the covered expenses include travel, board, and lodging.

Host Institution or Organization

The competition is associated with the St. Gallen Symposium and provides a route to participation in its Leader of Tomorrow community. The International Students’ Committee, or ISC, covers travel, board, and lodging expenses for selected Leaders of Tomorrow. The symposium brings together 200 young participants and more than 600 senior leaders for exchanges across generations and fields.

Degree Level

Applicants must be studying at master’s level or above in a graduate or postgraduate program at a regular university. Their university enrolment confirmation must demonstrate the required student status as of 1 February 2027. Applicants should check that their documentation establishes this status clearly before submitting their application.

Available Fields of Study

The competition accepts students from any field of study. Its eligibility is not restricted to a particular academic discipline. Students from different academic backgrounds can therefore address the competition question through their own research interests and perspectives.

Scholarship Benefits

The competition offers two distinct outcomes: selection for symposium participation and recognition among the three prize-winning ideas. The top 100 participants become Leaders of Tomorrow and receive free participation in the symposium, including access to its events and activities. The CHF 20,000 cash prize is a shared fund for the three best ideas, not an individual award of CHF 20,000 for each winner.

• Free symposium participation for selected Leaders of Tomorrow.
• Travel, board, and lodging expenses covered by the ISC.
• Opportunities to exchange perspectives with young participants and senior leaders.
• International visibility and recognition for participants’ ideas.
• A chance to strengthen research, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.
• A share of the CHF 20,000 prize fund for the three best ideas.

Eligibility Criteria

The competition is open internationally to eligible university students. Applicants must have been born in or after 1997 and must apply individually, since team entries are not accepted. Academic eligibility and submission requirements both need to be met.

• Be currently enrolled in a master’s or postgraduate program at a regular university.
• Submit an original Solution Brief written exclusively for this competition.
• Address the competition question with a professional, creative, and thought-provoking response.
• Keep the Solution Brief anonymous and cite sources appropriately.
• Use English for all submitted materials.
• Declare any AI tools or other auxiliary aids used.

The Solution Brief must contain no more than 1,000 words across four sections, excluding references and other specified supplementary material. It must follow the official template and be accompanied by a Video Explainer of up to three minutes. Applicants should review the official guidelines when preparing both components.

Required Documents

The application requires identification, evidence of university enrolment, and materials explaining the proposed idea. Applicants also enter a short abstract in the registration form. Preparing these components together can help maintain consistency between the written proposal, summary, and video.

• A copy of a passport or another official identification document.
• University enrolment confirmation proving graduate or postgraduate status as of 1 February 2027.
• An anonymous Solution Brief.
• A Video Explainer lasting up to three minutes.
• An abstract of 200–300 words entered in the registration form.

Application Process

Apply through the organizer’s official St. Gallen Global Ideas Competition website. Review the requirements, guidelines, terms, and conditions before completing registration. Prepare the Solution Brief using the official template and ensure it answers the 2027 competition question.

Complete the Video Explainer, gather the required documents, and enter the abstract in the registration form. In the first assessment round, the jury evaluates Solution Briefs anonymously; in the second round, it reviews Video Explainers. The top 100 participants qualify as Leaders of Tomorrow, and the three best ideas share the cash prize.

Important Dates and Deadline

The application deadline is 1 February 2027, at 11:59 p.m. University enrolment evidence must confirm the required graduate or postgraduate status as of that same date. As a general planning precaution, applicants should check the organizer’s deadline instructions and submit early enough to address potential technical problems.

Tips for Applicants

As general preparation advice, create a checklist covering eligibility, documents, anonymity, language, and submission limits. Obtain your enrolment confirmation early and check that your identification copy is readable. Leave time for a final review rather than treating the deadline as the moment to begin uploading materials.

Keep a record of sources and any AI tools or auxiliary aids used during preparation. This can support accurate citations and the required declarations. Before submission, review the Solution Brief for identifying information and confirm that its length follows the official counting rules.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

As general writing guidance, begin with a clearly defined problem and explain how agreement could help address it. Develop a focused solution instead of covering many issues without sufficient detail. Use relevant evidence to support your reasoning and distinguish your own proposal from ideas drawn from other sources.

Use the official four-section template to organize the brief, then check whether the argument remains clear within the word limit. For the video, practice explaining the problem, proposed response, and supporting reasoning concisely. The abstract, brief, and video should communicate a consistent central idea without introducing contradictory claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can students from any country apply?

Yes, the competition is open to students worldwide. Applicants must still satisfy its academic and birth-year requirements. Applications are individual, and teams cannot participate.

Does each winner receive CHF 20,000?

No, CHF 20,000 is the total prize fund. It is shared among the three best ideas. This award is separate from covered symposium participation for the top 100 selected participants.

Is a written submission enough?

No, applicants must submit both a Solution Brief and a Video Explainer. The brief has a maximum of 1,000 words across four sections, subject to the stated exclusions. The video may last up to three minutes, and all materials must be in English.

Conclusion

The St. Gallen Symposium Global Ideas Competition 2027 gives eligible students a route to present evidence-based solutions and join cross-generational discussions in Switzerland. Applicants should focus on an original response, comply with the submission requirements, and prepare both written and video materials carefully. Submit through the organizer’s official website by 1 February 2027, at 11:59 p.m.