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.
What is the China Bridge Challenge?
Four universities in the Big Ten Academic Alliance — Northwestern University, the University of Minnesota, Michigan State University, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison — have partnered for the China Bridge Challenge. The University of Minnesota is administering the challenge, and the Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs is serving at the University of Minnesota’s liaison to Northwestern University.
This year’s challenge will prompt teams of undergraduate students to explore how changes in knowledge, technology, education, and the workplace are shaping communities in both the United States and China. The goal is to connect a broader global challenge with concrete local impacts and opportunities for collaboration.
Why participate?
Northwestern's winning team will travel to the China Bridge Challenge Symposium at the University of Minnesota, where they will present their proposal to a panel of faculty, industry, and community experts.
The overall winner of the University of Minnesota’s symposium will receive $6,000, and the runner-up will receive $4,000. The overall 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.
How to participate:
Students may apply either individually or as a pre-formed team by November 15, 2026. All applicants will be notified of their final team assignments by November 22, 2026.
Each team will consist of four to five undergraduate students from the same university. Each team must include at least one international student from the Greater China region and at least one US domestic student. The remaining team members may represent any nationality.
Once team assignments are finalized, each team must identify a Northwestern faculty coach by December 1, 2026. Samantha Nissen, Senior Director for Global Programs and Strategic Initiatives at the Roberta Buffett Institute, is available to help teams find faculty members who may be a good fit for their project.
Each team must choose a topic related to this year’s theme and complete a written proposal by January 15, 2027, developing practical recommendations that consider the interests and perspectives of both countries. This year’s theme is Think Globally, Engage Locally: Knowledge Economy and the Future of Work.
A panel of judges will select one winning proposal per participating university. The four teams that author winning proposals will participate in the China Bridge Challenge Symposium at the University of Minnesota on February 19–20, 2027. This is a fully funded opportunity: the program will cover the four teams’ travel and lodging expenses as well as team meals.
Questions?
Northwestern University students or faculty members with questions about the China Bridge Challenge should contact Samantha Nissen, Senior Director for Global Programs and Strategic Initiatives at the Roberta Buffett Institute.