About this opportunity
The Global Leadership Challenge returns from 10 to 14 December 2026, convening 100 young leaders chosen through an open round of applications. It is a joint initiative of the University of Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium, and it is built around a simple question: what does leadership that advances the common good, rather than personal ambition alone, actually look like in practice.
Over the five days, participants work on real world challenges defined by the programme's partners, co-create action projects using design thinking, and take part in character education and cross generational dialogue. This cycle the published challenges are set by Swiss Re, on building a future ready workforce where technology, risk and expectations move faster than certainty, and by the Schwarzman Scholars programme, on how to refine a leadership curriculum for the decade ahead. A third partner is still being announced.
Members participate virtually from around the world, which matters for anyone applying from Nigeria or elsewhere in Africa. Everyone who takes an active part in all sessions receives an official Certificate of Achievement from the University of Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium. Participants also gain bespoke leadership training and mentorship from the Oxford Character Project, and after the programme members can apply for further mentoring in leadership development. The three top performing teams are invited as Leaders of Tomorrow to the 56th St. Gallen Symposium in April 2027 with travel and accommodation fully covered.
Applications are open now and the window closes on 5 November 2026, with review running on a rolling basis, so the programme's own advice is not to wait until the last day. The form asks for a short video, a 50 word example of responsible leadership in practice, and a keynote speaker suggestion, alongside the usual documents.
What you receive
- A diverse global community of young, responsible leaders
- Engagement with world renowned academics and senior business and policy leaders
- Action projects addressing pressing global challenges, built using design thinking principles
- An official Certificate of Achievement from the University of Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium for all active participants
- Bespoke leadership training and mentorship offered by the Oxford Character Project, with further mentoring available after the programme
- A fully covered invitation to the 56th St. Gallen Symposium in April 2027 as Leaders of Tomorrow for the three top performing teams
Who can apply
- Currently enrolled in a Masters or PhD programme, or a young professional aged between 21 and 30
- Undergraduate studies already completed
- Demonstrated commitment to responsible leadership through extra curricular activities or work experience
- Able to invest around five half days between 10 and 14 December 2026, with availability required
- Active participation in all sessions is mandatory to receive the Certificate of Achievement
- Applications are welcomed from around the world and from all academic disciplines
Who should not apply
- Applicants who have not finished their undergraduate studies
- Applicants outside the stated age range who are not enrolled in a Masters or PhD programme
- Anyone unable to block the five half days of the programme week, since availability is required
Documents to prepare
- Personal information including address, email and contact details
- CV in PDF format
- A recent portrait picture in JPEG or PNG format
- Proof of enrolment in PDF format, for students only
- A video of up to 40 seconds in English, inspiring global leaders to practise responsible leadership, supplied as a link that opens without a login or password
- A written answer of up to 50 words giving one concrete example of how you personally put responsible leadership into practice
- A suggestion for a keynote speaker who could inspire global leaders to act responsibly
How to apply
- Read the eligibility criteria and confirm you can block five half days from 10 to 14 December 2026
- Prepare a CV in PDF, a recent portrait in JPEG or PNG, and proof of enrolment if you are applying as a student
- Record a video of up to 40 seconds in English on responsible leadership, upload it to Google Drive, OneDrive, unlisted YouTube, iCloud, Swisstransfer or Dropbox, and set the link so anyone with it can view without a login
- Write your 50 word example of responsible leadership in practice and choose the keynote speaker you would suggest
- Complete the application form and submit before the window closes on 5 November 2026
Selection process
- Applicants are evaluated on their passion for engaging with complex global challenges
- 100 young leaders are selected through the open application process
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so the programme advises applicants not to wait until the deadline
- The three top performing teams at the end of the challenge week are named Leaders of Tomorrow and invited to the 56th St. Gallen Symposium in April 2027
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
Do I have to travel for the programme week?
No. GLC Members can participate virtually from around the world, though active participation in all sessions is required for the certificate.
Which disciplines can apply?
Applications are welcome from all academic disciplines and from around the world.
How long is the application video?
A maximum of 40 seconds, in English, and uploaded as MP4 or MOV with a shareable link that needs no login to view.
When are applications reviewed?
On a rolling basis from the moment the window opened on 29 September 2026 until it closes on 5 November 2026.
What do the winning teams receive?
The three top performing teams are invited as Leaders of Tomorrow to the 56th St. Gallen Symposium in April 2027, with travel and accommodation fully covered.
Important disclaimer
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