EU in the Classroom
The Schuman Challenge
The Schuman Challenge is an academic competition for undergraduate students from U.S. colleges and universities to engage in rigorous dialogue on transatlantic issues.
The 2024 Edition
The 2024 edition of the Schuman Challenge took place from April 4-5 at the offices of the EU Delegation in Washington, D.C. The assigned question focused on enhancing EU-U.S. engagement with the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. This year’s competition featured a record 29 participating universities from 18 U.S. states. Congratulations to all of the teams for their impressive presentations!
The winners:
- American University (read their policy brief)
- University of Utah (read their policy brief)
- Stanford University (read their policy brief)
Read the policy briefs from the 2023 winners:
- Patrick Henry College (read their policy brief)
- Columbia University (read their policy brief)
- University of Texas at Austin (read their policy brief)
Look for information on the 2025 edition coming Fall 2024.
Competition Details
The Schuman Challenge is the annual foreign affairs contest for undergraduate students in the United States and an opportunity to present and defend transatlantic policy recommendations on a specific theme in front of a panel of judges. The competition takes place in Washington, D.C., at the EU Delegation, which funds the competition. The competition takes place over two days in March and includes an evening reception with foreign policy professionals.
The competition comprises two rounds: a preliminary round for all teams to present their policy proposals, followed by the finals. Three teams from the first round proceed to the finals. During their 10-minute presentations, each team (3-4 students) highlight their actionable proposals and then participate in a 10-minute Q-and-A session with the judges.
To prepare for the competition, undergraduate students conduct original research, cite sources, and prepare to present and defend proposals for transatlantic cooperation on a provided topic. As part of the competition, participants present their ideas, mingle with like-minded peers, and engage with brilliant minds in the world of international affairs, including the EU Ambassador to the United States. There are also opportunities for networking with EU policy officials, alums of graduate programs in international relations, and mentoring sessions on careers in foreign policy.
Hear from Participants