The St. Gallen Symposium Global Ideas Competition 2027 invites graduate and postgraduate students to propose solutions to a real-world problem that remains unsolved because parties cannot agree. Winners earn a share of the CHF 20,000 prize and qualify for an expenses-paid trip to the 56th St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland as a Leader of Tomorrow.
Complete guide to the competition topic, eligibility, submission requirements, the Solution Brief and Video Explainer, application documents, selection process, prizes, and key dates.
Quick Highlights
Parameter
Details
Organization
St. Gallen Symposium
Competition
Global Ideas Competition 2027
Prize
CHF 20,000 prize pool; expenses-paid participation at the 56th St. Gallen Symposium, Switzerland
Eligible Applicants
Students enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate programme (master level or higher) in any field at a regular university
Age Requirement
Born in 1997 or later
Submission Type
Solution Brief (max. 1,000 words) + 3-minute Video Explainer
Application Method
Online submission of passport/ID, enrolment confirmation, Solution Brief and Video Explainer
The St. Gallen Symposium is described as the world's premier opportunity for cross-generational debates, bringing together Leaders of Tomorrow with world-renowned speakers to shape tomorrow's conversations.
Area
Details
Event
56th St. Gallen Symposium, Switzerland
Community
Global community of Leaders of Tomorrow extending beyond the Symposium
Format
Cross-generational debates with world-renowned speakers
Competition
Global Ideas Competition 2027
Competition Topic and Question
Item
Details
Topic Question
What could we solve, if we could agree?
Background
Cooperation increasingly comes with terms, and those terms determine what gets built and what is left undone; some solvable problems remain unsolved because parties cannot agree
Task
Identify such a problem and propose a novel arrangement that would make solving it more effective
Submission Requirements
Submission
Details
Solution Brief
Core of the submission; no more than 1,000 words across four sections; identify a real problem, back it with evidence, propose a partnership that could solve it, and show how it would work; assessed anonymously on the strength of argument and evidence
Video Explainer
Second submission; imagine pitching your idea to your dream speaker at the Symposium in three minutes
Form
Solution Brief (max. 1,000 words using the official template) + 3-minute Video Explainer
Individuality
Individual work only, no group work; the Solution Brief must be written exclusively for this contest; the idea must be the author's own
Citation
All sources must be cited and referred to the respective part of the essay; all contributions will be tested for plagiarism
Auxiliary Aids
Any AI, proofreading, layout/graphics services, writing and translation programs must be listed and fully and correctly cited; failure to acknowledge or reference any aid results in disqualification
Integrity
Transparency and academic integrity are mandatory
Template
Download the Template for the Solution Brief and watch the Instruction Video
Eligibility Criteria
Requirement
Details
Enrolment
Enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate programme (master level or higher) in any field of study at a regular university
Birth Year
Born in 1997 or later
Enrolment Deadline
Must prove enrolment as of 1 February 2027
Application Documents
Document
Details
Identification
Copy of passport or other identification (in English for non-Roman languages)
Enrolment Confirmation
Confirmation of matriculation/enrolment from your university proving graduate/postgraduate enrolment as of 1 February 2027 (sample document)
Solution Brief
No indication of your name in the file name, the file metadata or the file itself
Video Explainer
Maximum 3 minutes
Benefits and Funding
Detail
Information
Prize
CHF 20,000 prize pool
Participation
All-expenses-covered participation as a Leader of Tomorrow at the 56th St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland
Community
Membership in a unique global community that extends far beyond the Symposium
Exposure
Inspiration from world-renowned speakers and contribution to conversations shaping tomorrow
Fully Funded
Yes
How to Apply
Step
Action
1
Read the topic question and prepare your Solution Brief using the official template
2
Record your 3-minute Video Explainer pitching your idea
3
Gather a copy of your passport or other identification (in English for non-Roman languages)
4
Obtain confirmation of matriculation/enrolment from your university proving graduate/postgraduate enrolment as of 1 February 2027
5
Prepare the Solution Brief without your name in the file name, metadata or file itself
6
List and correctly cite all auxiliary aids used
7
Submit your application before the deadline of 1 February 2027 via the official webpage
Important Dates
Date
Event
1 February 2027
Application deadline and enrolment proof cut-off date
Q1. What is the St. Gallen Symposium Global Ideas Competition 2027?
It is a competition where students compete for a CHF 20,000 prize and an expenses-paid participation as a Leader of Tomorrow at the 56th St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland.
Q2. What is the topic question?
The topic question is "What could we solve, if we could agree?"
Q3. Who is eligible to apply?
Students enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate programme (master level or higher) in any field at a regular university who were born in 1997 or later.
Q4. What are the submission components?
A Solution Brief of no more than 1,000 words using the official template and a 3-minute Video Explainer.
Q5. Can I submit as a group?
No. Individual work is expected; no group work is allowed.
Q6. What is the application deadline?
1 February 2027.
Q7. What documents are required?
A copy of your passport or other identification, confirmation of matriculation/enrolment as of 1 February 2027, the Solution Brief, and the Video Explainer.
Q8. Can I use AI or other aids?
Any auxiliary aids such as AI, proofreading, layout/graphics services, and writing and translation programs must be listed and fully and correctly cited, or the entry is disqualified.
Q9. How is the Solution Brief assessed?
It is assessed anonymously, and the strength of your argument and evidence is what counts, not who wrote it.
Q10. What does the winner receive?
A share of the CHF 20,000 prize and all-expenses-covered participation at the 56th St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland as a Leader of Tomorrow.
Final Call-to-Action
Step
Action
1
Download the Solution Brief template and confirm your eligibility
2
Prepare your Solution Brief and 3-minute Video Explainer
3
Submit your documents before 1 February 2027 via the official webpage
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