A three-week, online leadership development course to help students gain global skills.

For: Current students, undergraduate and postgraduate

Application: Open 26 Jan 2026

Deadline for applications: 13 Feb 2026

Dates: Running 9 – 27 March 2026

RISE (Real Impact on Society and Environment) is U21’s international showcase of student achievement in sustainability and social innovation designed to accelerate the scale and impact of student-led projects by connecting them with a network of experts in academia and industry

For: Current students, undergraduate and postgraduate

Nomination(s): By 20 May 2026

Dates: RISE showcase live each year from June onwards

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia.

For: Postgraduate students only

Nomination: By 16 Oct 2025

Dates: Running 17 Nov 2025 – 07 Jan 2026

The U21 School for Sustainable Policy Leadership invites postgraduate students from diverse academic disciplines to an enriching experience focused on sustainability, leadership, and global impact.

For: Current postgraduate students

Nomination deadline: 26 February 2026

Deadline for registration: 20 March 2026

Dates: 13 – 17 July 2026

Location: McMaster University, Canada

Students participate in providing a solution to a real-life SDG-related challenge to gain a sustainable micro-internship certification.

For: Current students, undergraduate and postgraduate

Applications open: 27 Oct 2025

Deadline for applications: 14 Nov 2025

Dates: Running Nov 2025 – Feb 2026

We are very pleased to share details of the virtual, hybrid and in person opportunities available at our member institutions. If you are looking for student opportunities run by U21 (including Global Citizens, RISE, Global Connections), then please visit our Student Opportunity Page. If you have an opportunity, Submit opportunity for U21 Students