University of Oxford
The Global Leadership Challenge 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 practical responses to complex global challenges. The programme will bring together 100 emerging leaders for an intensive virtual experience designed to strengthen leadership skills, character and the ability to create meaningful social impact.
The Global Leadership Challenge is a joint initiative of the University of Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium. It aims to help emerging leaders develop the wisdom, character and practical capabilities required to lead responsibly and contribute to the common good. Participants will engage with academics, senior business and policy leaders, experienced advisors and peers from different countries and professional backgrounds.
The 2026 programme will take place virtually from December 10 to 14, 2026. Applications opened on September 29, 2026 and will close on November 5, 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so interested candidates are encouraged to apply early.
The Global Leadership Challenge is designed to connect promising young leaders across countries, disciplines and sectors. Rather than focusing only on personal achievement, the programme encourages participants to consider how their values, professional ambitions and leadership abilities can contribute to sustainable development and the wider good.
The 2026 cohort will consist of 100 young leaders. Participants will work with challenge partners on practical issues and develop impact projects during the programme. The official GLC describes the experience as a fully virtual five day challenge combining character education, cross generational dialogue and practical action.
The 2026 challenges include a Swiss Re challenge examining how organisations can prepare their workforce for a future shaped by technology, changing expectations and risk. Participants will consider how human expertise, critical thinking and artificial intelligence can work together to strengthen decision making and future capabilities.
Another challenge is connected to the Schwarzman Scholars Program and focuses on how leadership education and curricula can evolve to prepare future leaders to navigate uncertainty.
An additional challenge partner is expected to be announced by the organisers.
• Join a global community of 100 young responsible leaders
• Engage with academics and senior business and policy leaders
• Develop practical action projects addressing global challenges
• Learn responsible leadership principles and design thinking
• Participate in cross generational dialogues and collaborative workshops
• Receive leadership training and mentorship from the Oxford Character Project
• Build international professional and leadership networks
• Receive an official Certificate of Achievement from the University of Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium
• Access opportunities for further mentorship and leadership development after the programme
• Compete for the opportunity to attend the 56th St. Gallen Symposium as a Leader of Tomorrow
• Top performing teams may receive an all expenses covered opportunity to attend the 56th St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland in 2027
The Global Leadership Challenge 2026 welcomes applicants from around the world and from all academic disciplines.
Applicants must:
• Be currently enrolled in a Master’s or PhD programme, or be a young professional aged between 21 and 30 years
• Have completed undergraduate studies
• Demonstrate a commitment to responsible leadership through extracurricular activities and or professional experience
• Be available to participate for approximately five half days from December 10 to 14, 2026
• Be able to actively participate in all required GLC sessions
• Be willing to collaborate with participants from different countries, disciplines and backgrounds
• Have an interest in addressing complex global challenges and creating positive social impact
Active participation in all required sessions is necessary for participants to receive the Certificate of Achievement.
Applicants should prepare the following information and materials:
• Personal contact information
• Full address and email address
• Date of birth
• Time zone for participation
• LinkedIn profile link
• Information about current university or employer
• Degree programme for students or job title for young professionals
• CV in PDF format
• Recent portrait photograph in JPEG or PNG format
• Proof of enrolment in PDF format for applicants currently studying
• Response suggesting a keynote speaker who could inspire global leaders to practise responsible leadership
• Maximum 40 second video in English
• A short example explaining how the applicant has personally demonstrated responsible leadership
The official application form also asks applicants whether they have participated in a previous GLC and whether they are a Schwarzman Scholar.
One of the distinctive parts of the application is the short video challenge.
Applicants must record a maximum 40 second video in English that is compelling, authentic and inspiring. The video should encourage global leaders to embrace responsible leadership in their everyday decisions and demonstrate how the applicant personally embodies responsible leadership.
The video may be uploaded through Google Drive, OneDrive, an unlisted YouTube video, iCloud, SwissTransfer or Dropbox. Applicants must ensure that anyone with the link can view the video without requiring a login, password or organisational account.
The application also asks applicants to provide a concise example of what they have personally done to support responsible leadership.
The GLC will select 100 young leaders through an open application process. The organisers are looking for a diverse group of postgraduate students and young professionals who demonstrate leadership potential, responsible values and an interest in addressing complex global challenges.
During the programme, participants will work in teams to develop action projects connected to the challenges established by programme partners. The strongest project ideas will have the opportunity to receive further recognition and compete for participation in the St. Gallen Symposium.
The official GLC states that the three groups with the most outstanding project ideas can receive an all expenses covered invitation to the St. Gallen Symposium as Leaders of Tomorrow.
University of Oxford
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