Scholarship Overview
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Overview
The St. Gallen Global Ideas Competition is the entry point to becoming a Leader of Tomorrow at the 56th St. Gallen Symposium, taking place 27–29 April 2027 in Switzerland. Formerly known as the Global Essay Competition, this reimagined format assesses how you think—not only how you write—through a two-part submission: a 1,000-word Solution Brief and a 3-minute Video Explainer.
Top performers qualify for an all-expenses-covered participation where they join 200 of the world’s brightest young minds to exchange ideas with over 600 senior leaders from business, politics, academia, and civil society. The three best ideas share a prize fund of CHF 20,000.
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What the Fellowship Covers
Leaders of Tomorrow receive comprehensive support:
- Round-trip travel to St. Gallen (flights or train tickets)
- Accommodation in private student flats across the city
- All meals during the symposium week
- Airport shuttle service
- Free public transport in St. Gallen during the event
- Full symposium access including main stage presentations
Participants should bring approximately CHF 100–200 in pocket money for convenience. Some meals may not be covered depending on arrival and departure times.
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Eligibility Requirements
To compete, you must meet all criteria:
- Enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate programme (master level or higher) at a regular university as of 1 February 2027
- Born in 1997 or later
- Individual submission only—no group work permitted
A “regular university” means an institution of higher education that conducts research and offers at least one PhD programme. Exceptions are granted case-by-case. Bachelor students are generally ineligible unless their current year is equivalent to international graduate level (e.g., 4th year of an honours degree), confirmed in writing by their university.
The 2027 Competition Question
“What could we solve, if we could agree?”
Cooperation increasingly comes with terms that determine what gets built and what remains undone. The challenge asks you to identify a real, solvable problem where parties cannot currently agree, and propose a novel arrangement that would make solving it more effective. Choose a case you understand from the inside. Show what would be built or unlocked, with evidence it works. Detail who must be involved, on what basis they would collaborate, and why this has not yet happened.
Submission Components
Solution Brief (Maximum 1,000 words)
Structured in four sections using the official template:
- Summary: Concise overview of your idea
- Evidence & Analysis: Diagnosis of the problem with supporting evidence
- Proposal: Your original solution and what makes it distinctive
- Implementation Path: Practical steps to execution
References, Auxiliary Aids Directory, and optional Evidence Annex do not count toward the word limit. Your name must not appear in the file name, metadata, or document body—first-round judging is anonymous.
Video Explainer (Maximum 3 minutes)
Imagine pitching your idea to your dream speaker at the Symposium. Speak directly to camera in your own words. No slides, screen shares, or scripted reading—notes are permitted. Production quality is not assessed; a phone camera in a quiet room suffices. Non-native English speakers face no disadvantage.
Required Documents
Prepare these files for upload:
- Solution Brief (doc, docx, or pdf—text must be copyable)
- Video Explainer (MP4 or MOV, or unlisted YouTube/Vimeo link, minimum 720p)
- Copy of passport or official government ID (not driver’s licence; non-Roman languages must include English translation)
- Confirmation of matriculation/enrolment proving graduate/postgraduate status as of 1 February 2027
- Short abstract (200–300 words) entered directly in the registration form
AI and Academic Integrity
AI tools are permitted and expected to be declared. You must list every auxiliary aid used—tool name, usage, and affected sections—in your Auxiliary Aids Directory. Undeclared aids discovered during review result in disqualification. All sources must be cited with references tied to specific text passages. Plagiarism and self-plagiarism are grounds for disqualification.
Selection Process and Timeline
- Submission: Complete online registration and upload all documents before the deadline
- Eligibility verification: ISC checks documents for completeness and readability
- First round: Anonymous assessment of Solution Briefs by the Academic Jury
- Second round: Video Explainers reviewed to confirm original thinking
- Results announced: By mid-March 2027 via email
Approximately 100 competitors qualify as Leaders of Tomorrow. The top three share CHF 20,000, with the very best presenting on the main stage.
Practical Information for African Applicants
Visa Requirements
Leaders of Tomorrow are responsible for obtaining their own Swiss visa. The organising committee will notify the applicable Swiss embassy of your invitation and provide necessary supporting documents. Contact them promptly if problems arise. Visa application costs are borne by participants.
Travel Arrangements
The committee contacts selected participants prior to the Symposium to discuss itineraries and book travel. For those in Zimbabwe and SADC countries, this typically involves international flights to Zurich, with onward connections to St. Gallen.
Accommodation and Accessibility
Participants stay in private student flats across St. Gallen. Early notification is requested for special requirements (e.g., female flatmates only). Most symposium sites are wheelchair-accessible; the committee assists where possible though personal assistance capacity is limited.
Stay Extensions
Return flights may be moved to a later date upon request. Participants cover any price difference for more expensive tickets. No accommodation or transport services are provided beyond the official symposium week.
Preparation Resources
The ISC offers physical presentations at universities and regular webinars. Past winners’ submissions are available for review—note that entries up to 2026 used the previous essay format. Download the official Solution Brief template and watch the instruction video before beginning your submission.
Contact
For unanswered questions, email: info@symposium.org
Official scholarship page: https://symposium.org/initiatives/global-ideas-competition/
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
