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Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U)

CGI University Logo

CGI U is a year-round program that helps develop the next generation of leaders and social entrepreneurs. Through its Commitment to Action model, CGI U challenges young leaders and entrepreneurs to become agents of positive social change.

CGI U students are relentless innovators, chosen to develop, test, and implement solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges in five focus areas: education, environment and climate change, peace and human rights, poverty alleviation, and public health.

CGI U Application Kickoff

CGI U 2023

Hosted by President Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton, the CGI U gathers more than 1,000 innovative student leaders committed to addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. More than $750,000 in funding will be available to select CGI U students to help them turn their ideas into action.

The application deadline for CGI U 2023 is December 16, 2022.

For more information, please contact Emiley Dionne at edionne@ucsd.edu, or visit the CGI U website.

Info and Coaching Sessions

Participate in an info or coaching session on CGI U 2023 and learn how to submit a compelling application!

Info Sessions: CGI U Program and Application Overview

  • October 28 at noon: Zoom link
  • October 31 at noon, Price Center West - Eleanor Roosevelt College Room
  • November 3 at 5 p.m.: Zoom link
  • November 8 at 3 p.m., Price Center West - Eleanor Roosevelt College Room
  • November 9 at 11 a.m., Price Center West - Thurgood Marshall College Room
  • November 10 at 4 p.m.: Zoom link
  • November 11 at 10 a.m.: Zoom link
  • November 14 at 2 p.m., Price Center West - Eleanor Roosevelt College Room
  • November 16 at 1 p.m., Price Center West - Eleanor Roosevelt College Room
  • November 18 at noon: Zoom link
  • November 29 at 4 p.m., Price Center West - Eleanor Roosevelt College Room

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.
  • Office hours are every Monday 9 a.m. to noon, and Thursdays 1-4 p.m. (Zoom link)
  • Schedule a 30-minute coaching session with Emiley, 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.

Apply Now!

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:

  • 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 December 16, 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

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
  •  Annual Meeting
  •  Modules 1-3

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 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 2023 meeting agenda will be posted at a later date. Browse previous meeting agendas online.

Application Resources & Quick Links