Global Futures Challenge

To address our most pressing global challenges, we need cooperation and innovation on a global scale.

The Global Futures Challenge is a bold, international opportunity for students from Monash University and Warwick University to form teams and collaborate across borders, disciplines and cultures to tackle the world's most pressing social and environmental challenges. All Monash and Warwick students are invited to join a global movement of change-makers, working together to design real-world solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Applications for the Global Futures Challenge 2025 have now closed. Subscribe to our newsletter to hear when applications for 2026 will open!

A Learning-By-Doing Experience

Unlike anything you've experienced in the classroom, the Global Futures Challenge offers:

• International Collaboration: Work in cross-university teams with peers from Monash and Warwick.
• Real-World Impact: Tackle real-world global problems and build social enterprise solutions.
• Expert Coaching: Access leading academics, industry experts, social entrepreneurs, and government representatives.
• Global Networking: Connect with changemakers and leaders from around the world.
• Personal Growth: Develop in-demand skills in global teamwork, sustainable entrepreneurship, intercultural leadership, and impactful communication.
• An international innovation opportunity: Your team could win a trip to Malaysia!

Why Join?

• Build your CV with global experience and practical entrepreneurship skills.
• Make a real impact on issues that matter.
• Be part of a pioneering international student cohort.
• Access mentoring, funding, and pathways to turn your idea into reality.
• Grow your global professional network.

Who Can Join?

Monash and Warwick Students from all faculties, disciplines and levels. The Global Futures Challenge is open to everyone—no prior entrepreneurship experience needed. If you're passionate about creating positive change, you belong here.

How does it work?

Applying to the Global Futures Challenge:

• Watch the recording of our Info Session which goes through the program in detail
• Fill out the application form before the 3rd October - you will know by the 6th October whether your application has been successful and be sent all the details you need to log onto the online platform.

Participating in the Global Futures Challenge

• The program will commence on the 7th  October on our online platform, and you'll meet your team when you log on.
• Over four weeks, you’ll meet regularly online with your team to develop a social enterprise in response to your chosen SDG Challenge.
• Guided by program facilitators and mentors, your team will work through sessions covering problem definition, ideation, impact mapping, and solution design, which will help you develop your pitch.
• Your team will submit a 3 minute video pitch on or before the 5th November.

You should expect to commit around 3-5 hours per week during the four weeks of the challenge. This includes:

• Team meetings (scheduled across time zones)
• Wednesday virtual sessions (6pm AEST/9am BST) with social impact entrepreneurs, change-makers, and coaches
• Sunday Sessions focused on team-building and intercultural collaboration (with some activities completed in your own time)
• Independent work or research to contribute to your team’s project

The program is designed to be flexible and manageable alongside your studies. Most sessions will be recorded, but active participation is strongly encouraged to get the most from the experience.

Key Program Dates

Please note that daylights savings will change TWICE throughout this program and these times are reflected in the following timetable.

IN AUSTRALIA: Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 2:00 am, the clocks will go forwards by one hour to 3:00 am - meaning that Australia will be 10 hours ahead of the UK.

IN THE UK: On Sunday, 26 October 2025 at 2.00am, the clocks will go backwards by one hour to 1:00am - meaning that Australia will be 11 hours ahead of the UK.