St. Gallen Global Essay Competition 2026 — Apply by Feb 1

St. Gallen Symposium Global Essay Competition 2026 — Apply by 1 February

The Global Essay Competition is an annual writing contest organized by the St. Gallen Symposium, one of the world’s leading platforms for cross-generational dialogue on global issues. Participants compete with their essays to qualify as a Leader of Tomorrow, gaining entry to the 55th St. Gallen Symposium where they meet global thinkers, industry leaders, and peers from around the world.

This competition encourages graduate and postgraduate students to tackle complex global challenges through thoughtful and original writing. Winners not only gain recognition but also share a CHF 20,000 cash prize split among the top three essays.

About the St. Gallen Symposium

The St. Gallen Symposium is a prestigious international forum where young leaders and senior decision-makers come together to discuss pressing global topics such as technology, politics, society, economy, and sustainability. The Global Essay Competition is a gateway for students to become part of this intergenerational conversation.

Essay Topic 2026

For the 2026 competition, the focus question asks participants to explore:

“Disruption in Tech + Politics + Demography: What happens when they collide?”

Entrants should identify a real case where at least two of these forces interact, and propose bold ideas to maximize benefits while minimizing risks in the long term.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the 2026 Global Essay Competition, you must:

• Be enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate programme (master level or higher) at a regular university
• Be born in 1996 or later
• Submit your own original essay written specifically for this competition

Bachelor’s or undergraduate students are generally not eligible unless their programme is confirmed in writing by their university as equivalent to graduate/postgraduate level.

Click here to participate in this competition: https://webportalapp.com/sp/signup/2026_stgallensymposium_globalessaycompetition

Essay Requirements

Your essay must follow these rules:

• Written in English
• Maximum 2,100 words (excluding abstract, bibliography, and footnotes)
• Anonymized — do not include your name, email, or university in the file
• Cite all sources properly; all submissions are checked for plagiarism

You must also provide supporting documents such as a copy of your ID and confirmation of enrolment from your university.

Competition Deadline

📅 Deadline: 1 February 2026, 11:59 p.m. (UTC-12)
Ensure you upload both your essay and the required documents before the deadline to be considered.

Why Participate?

Participating in the Global Essay Competition gives you a chance to:

• Join the St. Gallen Symposium as a Leader of Tomorrow
• Debate ideas with global changemakers and senior leaders
• Gain international exposure and networking opportunities
• Earn part of a CHF 20,000 prize pool
• Be part of a unique global community of young thought leaders

How to Apply

You can register and submit your essay through the official competition portal linked on the St. Gallen Symposium website. Registration links open during the application window leading up to the February 1 deadline.

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