Deadline: January 25, 2026
The Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge 2026 is a global competition that invites teams of graduate students from around the world to develop and pitch innovative financial solutions addressing critical social and environmental challenges. The challenge aims to identify and empower the next generation of leaders in sustainable finance by encouraging students to design investment vehicles that deliver both social or environmental impact and competitive financial returns.
This competition is jointly hosted by the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and Morgan Stanley, and continues to be one of the most prestigious events in the sustainable finance space.
Purpose of the Challenge
The Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge 2026 encourages students to think creatively about how investment capital can be leveraged to address some of the world’s most pressing problems. Participants are tasked with developing proposals for financial instruments that are innovative, scalable, and feasible—proving that impact investing can generate measurable social or environmental benefits alongside financial performance.
Eligibility Criteria
To participate in the Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge 2026, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Participants must be graduate students currently enrolled in any master’s or postgraduate program (MBA, MPA, MSc, etc.) at the time of submission.
- Teams can include up to four members.
- Team members can come from different universities.
- All submissions must be original ideas developed by the team members.
- Undergraduate students are not eligible to participate.
Judging Criteria
Proposals submitted to the challenge are evaluated based on the following key factors:
- Creativity and Financial Innovation – Uniqueness of the proposed financial solution.
- Impact and Scale – The depth and reach of potential social or environmental impact.
- Feasibility – Realistic implementation strategy and practicality.
- Quality of Due Diligence and Financials – Strength of market analysis and financial modeling.
- Presentation – Clarity, persuasiveness, and professionalism in communication.
Teams must clearly outline the problem they aim to solve, the proposed investment structure, and how their solution achieves both financial returns and impact outcomes.
Awards and Benefits
The Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge 2026 offers an exciting range of rewards and exposure opportunities for participants:
- 🥇 Grand Prize: $10,000
- 🥈 Runner-Up: $5,000
- 🥉 Third Place: $2,500
Beyond the cash prizes, participants gain valuable experiences including:
- A virtual sustainable finance career trek, offering career insights and networking opportunities.
- Company presentations by leading firms in finance and sustainability.
- Access to industry professionals and mentors in sustainable investing.
Key Dates and Timeline
- Registration Opens: November 11, 2025
- Deadline to Register: January 25, 2026
- Prospectus Submission Deadline: February 22, 2026
- Virtual Career Trek: February 26, 2026
- Announcement of Finalists: March 16, 2026
- Final Presentations: April 24, 2026, in London, UK
Finalist teams will present their proposals before a panel of expert judges and gain the opportunity to connect with top-tier professionals in the sustainable finance industry.
Tips for Applicants
- Focus on financially viable ideas that can demonstrate measurable social or environmental outcomes.
- Clearly articulate assumptions, risks, and expected impacts.
- Make use of available webinars and masterclasses organized by the Challenge team to enhance your proposal.
- Ensure that your proposal is concise, research-backed, and innovative.
How to Apply
Interested participants are required to register and submit their proposals through the official competition portal. Registration closes on January 25, 2026. Teams are encouraged to begin early to allow sufficient time for research and preparation.
Learn More
For detailed information about the competition, eligibility, and submission guidelines, visit the official page below:
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