Schuman Challenge
Limited submission
The Schuman Challenge by the German Marshall Fund of the United States tasks undergraduates with researching and presenting original EU-U.S. policy proposals in a competitive, policy-focused setting.
Funder: German Marshall Fund of the United States
Due Dates: February 19, 2027 | February 20, 2027 | February 23, 2027 (Preliminary rounds) | April 2027 (Semi-finals and finals, projected)
Funding Amounts: Travel stipend and D.C. accommodation for semi-finalists; winning team receives a 4-day trip to Brussels to present to EU officials.
Summary: Annual academic competition for U.S. undergraduate teams to present EU-U.S. policy proposals, culminating in presentations before policymakers.
Key Information: One team per U.S. college/university; teams must consist of 3–4 undergraduates.
Description
The Schuman Challenge is an annual foreign affairs competition for undergraduate students from U.S. colleges and universities, organized by the EU Delegation to the U.S. and supported by the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Teams of 3–4 undergraduates conduct original research and develop actionable policy proposals on a transatlantic theme set by the organizers. The competition includes a preliminary online round, semi-finals, and a final round in Washington, D.C., where finalists present to distinguished judges, diplomats, and policy experts. The initiative is designed to foster policy analysis, public speaking, and networking skills among emerging leaders in international affairs.
