Global Leadership Challenge 2026 For Young Leaders Worldwide (Fully Funded to Switzerland)

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Applications are open for Global Leadership Challenge 2026. The Global Leadership Challenge 2026 will convene 100 young leaders selected through an open application process. Applicants will be evaluated on their passion for engaging with complex global challenges.

They are looking for a diverse group of postgraduate students and young professionals who are ready to rise to the challenges of our time and develop themselves as the responsible leaders our world desperately needs now.

GLC Members can participate virtually from around the world. The five-day global initiative is jointly organised by the University of Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium, with support from its partners. The 2026 programme will take place from 10–14 December 2026, with applications closing on 5 November 2026.

The Global Leadership Challenge is designed to bring together emerging leaders from different countries, professional backgrounds and areas of expertise to explore what responsible leadership means in a rapidly changing world.

According to the organisers, the initiative focuses on developing the wisdom and character required for responsible leadership and encourages participants to look beyond individual ambition toward leadership that contributes to sustainable development and the common good.

Global Leadership Challenge Benefits

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 that address some of the most pressing global challenges using design thinking principles
Learn to lead in a way that not only advances personal ambition but actively seeks the wider good of society
Earn an official Certificate of Achievement
Receive bespoke leadership training and mentorship offered by the Oxford Character Project
Win an invitation to attend the 56th St Gallen Symposium in April 2027 – all expenses covered – as Leaders of Tomorrow, if your team is one of the top three performing teams.

Eligibility Criteria

You are a student (currently enrolled in a Masters or a PhD programme) or a young professional (aged between 21-30 years).
You have finished your undergraduate studies.
You have already demonstrated your commitment to responsible leadership through extra-curricular activities and/or work experience.
You are committed to investing around five half-days from 10-14 December 2026 for the GLC. Please tentatively block these days — your availability is required.
Active participation in all GLC sessions is mandatory to receive a Certificate of Achievement.

They welcome applications from around the world and from all academic disciplines.

Global Leadership Challenge Timeline

Application Opens: 29 September 2026
Application Closes: 5 November 2026
GLC 2026: 10-14 December 2026
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so don’t wait until the deadline.

Preparation – What You Need

Personal Information
- Please be ready to provide your personal information, including your address, email, and other contact details.
Documents
- CV (PDF)
- Recent Portrait Picture (JPEG or PNG)
- Proof of enrollment (students only) – PDF
Questions
- Keynote choice: Suggest a keynote speaker who could inspire global leaders to act responsibly.
- Your message: Record a video (max. 40 seconds, in English) inspiring global leaders to practice Responsible Leadership.
- Your action: Share one concrete example (max. 50 words) of how you personally put responsible leadership into practice.

How to submit your Video

Upload your 40-second video (MP4 or MOV) to one of these platforms:
- Google Drive
- OneDrive
- YouTube (set to Unlisted)
- iCloud
- Swisstransfer
- Dropbox
Copy the shareable link.
Make sure the settings allow anyone with the link to view (no login, no password, no organization account required).
Paste the link in the designated field of your application form.