Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U)

This Challenge is an extension program of CGI U, which encourages teams of current undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at U.S. institutions, and CGI U alumni, to leverage 5G and other leading-edge technology to advance equity within the U.S. in CGI U’s five focus areas.

Students selected for the Challenge will receive:

• A spot in a full-time intensive summer-long entrepreneurial training with accelerator partner, VentureWell, and receive seed funds and living stipends. An exclusive spot in a full-time summer accelerator program with VentureWell where teams will receive intensive entrepreneurial training from June-August 2022.
• Access to $5,000 in project seed funding per team and $8,500 in living stipends for each team member.
• Expert mentorship and access to networking opportunities through CGI U, Verizon, and VentureWell communities.
• Access to the CGI U 2022 curriculum and invitations to the CGI U Annual Meeting in April 2022.
• Opportunity for teams to pitch their venture in Fall 2022 to a panel of experts, including Chelsea Clinton.

The Clinton Global Initiative  University and  Verizon Forward for Good Challenge have similar, but separate applications. Students interested in this extension program must apply to both programs.

Participate in an info session or coaching session on CGI U 2022 and learn about how to submit a compelling application:

• CGI U Program and Application Overview:
  • November 22 at 6:00 am PST
  • December 13 at 11:00 am PST
  • January 12 at 6:00 am PST
• CGI U Application Workshop
  • December 3 at 8:00 am PST
  • January 14 at 2:00 pm PST
  • January 19 at 1:00 pm PST
• Verizon Forward for Good Challenge Application Workshop
  • December 15 at 10:00 am PST
  • January 6 at 10:00 AM PST
  • January 13 at 10:00 AM PST
• Individual Coaching Sessions
  • Engage in an individual coaching session for you or your team to brainstorm and receive feedback on your project proposal, commitment to action, and application.
  • Click here to schedule a 30-minute coaching session with Frida, UC San Diego’s liaison to CGI U.
• In-depth and Focus Area Sessions
  
  • Visit the CGI U website for deep dive sessions for in-depth explorations of topics within CGI U’s student programs, applications, and five focus areas with topic experts from CGI U and Verizon’s networks.

To be considered for admission, all applicants are required to make a Commitment to Action. A Commitment to Action is a concrete plan that addresses a pressing challenge in one of CGI U’s five focus areas: Education, Environment and Climate Change, Peace and Human Rights, Poverty Alleviation, or Public Health.

As part of the application, students are asked to provide a detailed plan that outlines the scope of the commitment and how it will be implemented. 

Application resources:

• We strongly encourage you to utilize the application preview to draft your commitment offline before you apply,and keep a record of it in case you experience any technical difficulties when applying online. 
• The commitments map can guide you through the development of your Commitment to Action.
• We also encourage you to attend a CGI U program and application session and participate in a coaching session.

Visit cgiu.org/apply and apply by January 21, 2022

Am I eligible to apply?

Students must be 18 years of age or older and enrolled in an institution of higher education at the time of the CGI U meeting in order to apply. To be considered for admission, all applicants are required to design a Commitment to Action in one of CGI U’s five focus areas: Education, Environment and Climate Change, Peace and Human Rights, Poverty Alleviation, and Public Health.

Can I apply with a group?

You can apply as a group or an individual.

• Individual: A student may apply to attend CGI U as an individual. This student makes a Commitment to Action that he or she will carry out individually, or applies to attend CGI U as the sole representative of a larger organization.
• Group: Up to three students may apply to attend CGI U as a group. These students collaborate on a Commitment to Action and apply to attend the meeting together to represent their project or initiative. The group must appoint a group leader to fill out the first part of the CGI U application (which includes the Commitment to Action), and the additional group members will receive emails from CGI U with instructions on how to complete their portions of the application. It is the responsibility of the group leader to ensure that all group members complete their portions of the application.

What are the requirements to participate?

All accepted CGI U students are expected to be available for the entirety of the scheduled dates of the three online modules outlined below. Accepted students are required to attend and fully participate in all online module activities. The average time commitment is 3 hours per module.

• Welcome Week: March 2022
•  Annual Meeting: April 2022
•  Modules 1-3: May 2022 - October 2022

What are the requirements to complete the CGI U program?

To complete the CGI U program and become eligible for CGI U’s Commitment-Maker seal, letters of recommendation and other opportunities, students must complete the following over the course of the 2022 program:

• Participation in at least four (4) small group discussion throughout the program 
• Review of CGI U’s 30-minute webinar recordings and readings, which will be housed on the online platform, and completion of all accompanying exercises  
• Completion of one 30-minute individual coaching session with their Commitment Mentor per module (4 in total)
• Completion of Commitment to Action progress report

Can I attend CGI U without making a commitment?

The CGI U meeting is about taking action. In order to attend, all applicants must make a commitment. Although there are many valuable conferences and gatherings that take place without such a requirement, the goal of CGI U is to bring together people with a plan and a passion to create positive change and take action.

Is there a schedule for the event?

The CGI U 2022 meeting agenda will be posted at a later date. Browse previous meeting agendas online.

How much does the annual meeting cost?

For all accepted applicants, this meeting is free.

• CGI U Application Preview
• CGI U Application Rubric
• CGI U Focus Areas & Key Words
• CGI U Commitment to Action Toolkit
• CGI U Commitment to Action Map
• Examples of Past UC San Diego Student Commitments