The Leaders of Tomorrow Award is a global essay competition that invites young students and professionals to share their vision on the most pressing economic and social issues. Organized in conjunction with the St. Gallen Symposium, the award challenges participants to think critically and offer innovative solutions. For African students, winning this award means a trip to Switzerland to debate with world leaders and influential thinkers.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be currently enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate program (Master’s or PhD) or be a young professional under the age of 30.
- Candidates must be born in 1996 or later.
- Applicants must submit an original essay addressing the specific theme for 2026.
- Essays must be written in English and follow the strict formatting and word-count guidelines.
- Previous participants of the St. Gallen Symposium as “Leaders of Tomorrow” are ineligible.
Benefits
- A cash prize of up to $1,000 for the top three essay winners.
- An all-expenses-paid trip to St. Gallen, Switzerland, to attend the symposium.
- Coverage of travel, accommodation, and food during the event.
- Opportunity to network with over 600 global decision-makers.
- Platform to present your ideas to a global audience.
Application Steps
- Review the 2026 essay competition topic on the St. Gallen Symposium website.
- Draft an original essay of approximately 2,100 words.
- Ensure the essay is anonymous (no name on the document itself).
- Upload proof of enrollment or your ID to verify age eligibility.
- Submit the essay through the official competition portal.
Deadlines
- The submission deadline is February 1, 2026.
Official Links
- St. Gallen Symposium Competition: https://www.symposium.org/competition/
