The St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland, one of the world’s best-known meetings between young talent and senior leaders, is running its Global Ideas Competition 2027. The best entries win an all-expenses-covered place at the 56th St. Gallen Symposium (27–29 April 2027) as a “Leader of Tomorrow”, and the top three ideas share a CHF 20,000 prize fund.
It’s open to master’s and PhD students worldwide, including Africa, who were born in 1997 or later. The deadline is 1 February 2027.
At a Glance
| Organiser | International Students’ Committee (ISC), St. Gallen Symposium |
| Prize | All-expenses-covered trip to the Symposium, plus CHF 20,000 shared by the top 3 ideas |
| Event | 56th St. Gallen Symposium, Switzerland, 27–29 April 2027 |
| Who can enter | Master’s and postgraduate students worldwide, born in 1997 or later |
| What to submit | A Solution Brief (max. 1,000 words) and a 3-minute video |
| Deadline | 1 February 2027, 11:59pm UTC-12 |
The 2027 Question
“What could we solve, if we could agree?”
Entrants are asked to identify a solvable problem that stays unsolved because the people involved can’t agree, then propose a new arrangement or partnership that would make solving it work. The organisers suggest choosing a case you understand from the inside, showing what would be built or unlocked, the evidence it works, who would need to be involved and why it hasn’t happened yet.
This year the old Global Essay Competition has become the Global Ideas Competition, with a shorter, more structured Solution Brief and a video in place of a long essay.
Benefits
- An all-expenses-covered place at the St. Gallen Symposium as a Leader of Tomorrow, with travel, board and lodging paid by the organisers
- A share of the CHF 20,000 prize fund for the top three ideas
- Meeting 200 young leaders and 600+ senior leaders from business, politics, academia and civil society
- Membership of the Symposium’s global community of young leaders
Participation is free, but the organisers suggest bringing some pocket money.
Eligibility
- Enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate programme (master’s or higher), in any field, at a “regular university”, meaning one that does research and offers at least one PhD programme. Exceptions are considered case by case.
- Enrolled as of 1 February 2027
- Born in 1997 or later
- Individual entries only, with no teams
- Bachelor’s students aren’t eligible, unless their current year is equivalent to international graduate level (for example, a 4th-year honours degree), confirmed in writing by the university
What to Submit
- Solution Brief: no more than 1,000 words, using the official template, in four sections: Summary, Evidence and Analysis, Proposal, and Implementation Path. It’s judged anonymously, so your name, email and university mustn’t appear anywhere in it, including the file name and metadata.
- Video Explainer: up to 3 minutes, as if pitching your idea to your dream speaker. The jury sees it in the second round.
- A copy of your passport or ID
- A proof of enrolment letter showing you’re in a graduate or postgraduate programme as of 1 February 2027
Rules on AI and sources: AI tools are allowed but must be declared. All sources and aids, including AI, proofreading and translation tools, must be listed and cited, or you’ll be disqualified. Entries are checked for plagiarism.
How to Apply
- Go to the official Global Ideas Competition page (link below), download the Solution Brief template and watch the instruction video.
- Write your Solution Brief in English and record your 3-minute video.
- Prepare your ID and proof of enrolment.
- Sign up and submit before 1 February 2027, 11:59pm UTC-12. That’s 12:59pm on 2 February in Lagos and 1:59pm in Johannesburg.
Official St. Gallen Global Ideas Competition 2027 page
Tips for African Applicants
- Write about a problem you know first-hand, such as a stalled regional trade deal, power-sharing between utilities, or land and water disputes in your country.
- Back your argument with evidence. Data and real examples matter more than polished language.
- Keep it anonymous. Remove your name from the file and its properties before uploading.
- Plan your visa early in case you’re selected. The Symposium is in Switzerland at the end of April.
