Global Leadership Challenge 2026: Fully Funded Global Leadership Programme for Young Leaders

The Global Leadership Challenge (GLC) 2026 is inviting applications from young leaders, postgraduate students and young professionals from around the world to join a global community focused on Responsible Leadership and addressing complex global challenges.

The Global Leadership Challenge 2026 will bring together 100 young leaders selected through an open application process. Participants will engage with world-renowned academics, senior business and policy leaders, and other emerging leaders while developing action projects that address some of the most pressing challenges facing society.

Applications are open from 29 September 2026 until 5 November 2026. The GLC 2026 will take place virtually from 10–14 December 2026, allowing participants to join from around the world.

 Key Details — Global Leadership Challenge 2026

🌍 Programme: Global Leadership Challenge (GLC) 2026
👥 Participants: 100 young leaders
🎓 Who can apply: Students or young professionals
🌎 Eligibility: Applicants worldwide, all academic disciplines
💻 Format: Virtual
📅 GLC Dates: 10–14 December 2026
🗓️ Applications Open: 29 September 2026
⏰ Deadline: 5 November 2026
🏆 Benefits: Certificate of Achievement, leadership training, mentorship, global networking and action projects
⭐ Additional opportunity: Top three teams may receive an all-expenses-covered invitation to the 56th St. Gallen Symposium in April 2027
📹 Application requirement: 40-second video in English

Global Leadership Challenge 2026

The Global Leadership Challenge is designed for a diverse group of young people who are passionate about making a positive contribution to society and are ready to develop themselves as responsible leaders.

GLC Members can participate virtually from anywhere in the world and will have the opportunity to collaborate across countries, disciplines and sectors.

The programme focuses on developing leadership capabilities while encouraging participants to consider how leadership can contribute to the wider good of society.

What You Will Gain from the Global Leadership Challenge

Successful GLC participants will have the opportunity to:

• Become part of a diverse global community of young, responsible leaders.
• Engage with world-renowned academics and senior business and policy leaders.
• Develop action projects addressing some of the world’s most pressing global challenges using design thinking principles.
• Learn to lead in a way that advances personal ambition while actively seeking the wider good of society.
• Earn an official Certificate of Achievement.
• Receive bespoke leadership training and mentorship offered by the Oxford Character Project.
• Potentially win an invitation to attend the 56th St Gallen Symposium in April 2027, with all expenses covered, if your team is among the top three performing teams and is selected as Leaders of Tomorrow.

Earn a Certificate of Achievement

Participants who actively participate in all required GLC sessions can earn an official Certificate of Achievement.

Attend the 56th St. Gallen Symposium

Teams that perform among the top three may have the opportunity to attend the 56th St. Gallen Symposium in April 2027 as Leaders of Tomorrow, with all expenses covered.

Receive Exclusive Mentorship After GLC

GLC participants can also benefit from exclusive mentorship and leadership development opportunities following the programme.

Who Can Apply for the Global Leadership Challenge 2026?

The Global Leadership Challenge 2026 welcomes applications from people around the world and from all academic disciplines.

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a student currently enrolled in a Master’s or PhD programme, or a young professional aged between 21 and 30 years.
• Have completed their undergraduate studies.
• Have demonstrated a commitment to Responsible Leadership through extracurricular activities and/or work experience.
• Be available to invest approximately five half-days from 10–14 December 2026 in the GLC.
• Be able to actively participate in all GLC sessions. Active participation in all GLC sessions is mandatory to receive a Certificate of Achievement.

The organisers are seeking a diverse group of postgraduate students and young professionals who are ready to engage with complex global challenges and develop their leadership capabilities.

Global Leadership Challenge 2026 Application Deadline

Applications for the GLC 2026 are being accepted according to the following timeline:

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so applicants are encouraged to apply early rather than waiting until the deadline.

Global Leadership Challenge 2026 Challenge Information

As part of the programme, participants will work on challenges connected to major global issues and engage with challenge partners.

Swiss Re Challenge

Working with Swiss Re, participants will explore how organisations can build a future-ready workforce in a world where technology, risk and expectations are changing rapidly.

The challenge will examine how human expertise, critical thinking and artificial intelligence (AI) can come together to rethink work, strengthen judgement and build the capabilities required for the future.

Schwarzman Scholars Challenge

The Schwarzman Scholars Program is also involved in the Global Leadership Challenge. Participants will explore how leadership education and curriculum can evolve to equip the next generation of global leaders with the tools needed to navigate uncertainty.

Additional Challenge Partner

The organisers are finalising another challenge partner, with further details expected to be announced.

What You Need Before Applying

Applicants should prepare the following information and documents before starting their Global Leadership Challenge 2026 application.

1. Personal Information

Applicants should be ready to provide personal information, including:

• Full address
• Email address
• Other contact details

2. Required Documents

Applicants should prepare:

• CV in PDF format
• Recent portrait picture in JPEG or PNG format
• Proof of enrolment in PDF format for students

3. Application Questions

Applicants will also be asked to respond to several questions and complete a short video task.

Keynote Choice

Suggest a keynote speaker who could inspire global leaders to act responsibly.

Your Message

Record a maximum 40-second video in English inspiring global leaders to practice Responsible Leadership.

Your Action

Share one concrete example in no more than 50 words explaining how you personally put Responsible Leadership into practice.

How to Submit Your GLC Application Video

Applicants need to upload their 40-second video to one of the accepted platforms:

• Google Drive
• OneDrive
• YouTube — set the video to Unlisted
• iCloud
• Swisstransfer
• Dropbox

After uploading the video:

1. Copy the shareable link.
2. Ensure the settings allow anyone with the link to view the video.
3. Make sure viewers do not require a login, password or organisation account.
4. Paste the video link into the designated field in the Global Leadership Challenge application form.

Why Apply for the Global Leadership Challenge 2026?

The GLC provides an opportunity for young leaders and postgraduate students to connect with an international community, engage with senior leaders and academics, develop practical action projects and strengthen their understanding of Responsible Leadership.

The programme also provides opportunities for leadership training, mentorship, collaboration and recognition through a Certificate of Achievement.

Global Leadership Challenge 2026 – Apply Now

If you are a postgraduate student or young professional aged 21–30 with a demonstrated commitment to responsible leadership, the Global Leadership Challenge 2026 provides an opportunity to connect with other emerging leaders from around the world.

Applications close on 5 November 2026, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

🔗 Apply for the Global Leadership Challenge 2026

👉 Find out More and APPLY NOW to be a part of the GLC

Deadline: 5 November 2026

Application form: Open Application in New Window