The China Bridge Challenge is a cross-cultural case competition that brings together undergraduate students from the United States and Greater China to examine complex shared challenges and develop innovative, collaborative solutions.
The Roberta Buffett Institute is partnering with the University of Minnesota to allow Northwestern students to tackle the 2027 Challenge theme: Think Globally, Engage Locally: Knowledge Economy and the Future of Work
At a time when the US–China relationship faces growing challenges across education and research, trade and technology, geopolitics, and people-to-people exchange, opportunities for meaningful dialogue and collaboration are increasingly important. Building an equitable, peaceful, and sustainable relationship requires mutual understanding, practical cooperation, and a new generation of leaders who can work across cultural and national boundaries.
Teams will consist of four to five undergraduate students. Each team must include at least one international student from the Greater China region and at least one U.S. domestic student.
Teams will advance through a written proposal and presentation process, developing practical recommendations that consider the interests and perspectives of both countries. Finalist teams will be invited to the China Bridge Challenge Symposium at the University of Minnesota, where they will present their proposals to a panel of faculty, industry, and community experts.
The winning team will receive $6,000, and the runner-up will receive $4,000. The winning team will also participate in the China Bridge Field Immersion, a seven-day educational and professional experience in China. Students will meet with academic, industry, and other local stakeholders, participate in site visits related to the competition theme, and deepen their understanding of the issues they explored through the Challenge.