St. Gallen Global Leadership Challenge (2026)
- Organization: University of Oxford and St. Gallen Symposium
- Type: Competition
- Location: Global
- Deadline: November 5, 2026
- Funding: No Funding
The Global Leadership Challenge is a joint initiative of the University of Oxford (its Social Sciences Division and the Oxford Character Project) and the St. Gallen Symposium. It brings 100 postgraduate students and young professionals together online for five days in December to work in teams on real challenges set by partners, this year Swiss Re and Schwarzman Scholars. Taking part is free and fully online, and the three strongest teams are invited to the 56th St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland in April 2027 with travel and accommodation covered. **What you get:** - A place in a global cohort of 100 young leaders, taking part online from anywhere - Leadership training and mentorship from the Oxford Character Project - Sessions with academics and senior business and policy leaders - A Certificate of Achievement from the University of Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium for active participants - For the three top teams: an invitation to the 56th St. Gallen Symposium (28 to 29 April 2027) as Leaders of Tomorrow, with travel and accommodation fully covered - The option to apply afterwards for further leadership mentoring with the Oxford Character Project **What you'll do:** - Commit around five half-days between 10 and 14 December 2026, online - Work in a team on a challenge set by a partner: building a future-ready workforce with Swiss Re, or rethinking the Schwarzman Scholars curriculum, with a third partner still to be announced - Develop an action project using design thinking and present it to senior advisors for feedback **Key dates:** - Applications open 29 September 2026 - Applications close 5 November 2026, reviewed on a rolling basis - Global Leadership Challenge runs online 10 to 14 December 2026 - 56th St. Gallen Symposium for the winning teams: 28 to 29 April 2027 **More information:** - Applications are reviewed as they arrive, so applying early is better than applying on the last day - The application asks for a CV, a portrait photo, proof of enrolment for students, a suggested keynote speaker, a video of up to 40 seconds in English, and a short example of responsible leadership you have practised
