The 2026 Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge invites teams of graduate students globally to develop and pitch institutional-quality investment vehicles that seek positive environmental or social impact alongside competitive financial returns. The competition offers a $10,000 Grand Prize and the opportunity to present proposals at the Finals in London, UK. The registration deadline is January 25, 2026.
Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge 2026 Summary Table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Host Institution | Kellogg School of Management & Morgan Stanley |
| Sponsor | Kellogg School of Management & Morgan Stanley |
| Academic Level | Graduate Students (Master’s, MBA, PhD, etc.) |
| Eligible Countries | Global (Teams from universities worldwide) |
| Target Group | Teams of Graduate Students |
| Reward | Up to $10,000 in cash prizes |
| Focus | Designing investment vehicles for social/environmental challenges |
| Finals Location | London, UK |
| Registration Deadline | January 25, 2026 |
Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge 2026
The Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge is a premier global competition that taps into the creativity of graduate students to drive the future of impact finance.
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The challenge requires student teams to design and pitch viable financial products (investment vehicles) that address urgent social or environmental challenges while also providing competitive financial returns. It is a pitch competition specifically focused on harnessing the power of capital markets for positive change, tackling global issues like perpetual resource scarcity and continued population growth.
The competition timeline runs from late 2025 into April 2026:
- Kickoff Webinar: November 11, 2025
- Registration Deadline: January 25, 2026
- Prospectus Due: February 22, 2026
- Finals Event Date: April 24, 2026 (London, UK)
Awards and Opportunities
The challenge offers substantial cash prizes and unparalleled access to professional development and networking within the impact finance industry.
Tier 1: Cash Awards
The top three teams receive significant cash prizes to recognize their innovative financial solutions:
- $10,000: Grand Prize
- $5,000: Runner Up
- $2,500: Third Place
Tier 2: Professional Development and Networking
Participants, especially those who advance, gain critical career acceleration opportunities:
- Networking Opportunities: Chance to network with and receive tailored feedback from leading financial professionals who judge the rounds.
- Career Trek: Exclusive small-group networking sessions with professionals from top institutions in the sustainable investment sector.
- Master Class Lecture Series: Access to four specialized lectures delivered by renowned professors from top universities, focusing on advanced concepts in impact finance.
Tier 3: Global Visibility
- Finals in London, UK: Selected finalist teams earn the prestigious opportunity to travel to London, UK, to present their comprehensive investment proposals in person to a panel of executive judges from some of the world’s top investment entities.
- Mentorship Programs: Access to finding or requesting a mentor to guide the team during the idea development phase.
Eligibility Requirements for Participation
The challenge is open exclusively to graduate-level students in teams.
- Student Status: Applicants must be currently enrolled graduate students (including Master’s, MBA, JD, PhD, etc.) from universities around the world.
- Team Submission: Participation requires forming a team.
- Challenge Focus: The proposed investment vehicle must demonstrate potential for both positive environmental/social impact and competitive financial returns.
- Proposal Format: The initial submission must be a two-page prospectus detailing the investment concept.
How to Submit Your Proposal (Step by Step)
The competition follows a clear, multi-stage submission process, requiring both registration and a formal prospectus submission.
- Form a Team and Brainstorm (Step 1): Identify an urgent social or environmental challenge and begin training your team. Brainstorm potential financial innovations to address the problem. Consider attending the Kickoff Webinar on November 11, 2025.
- Registration and Idea Development (Step 2): Officially register your team (Registration Deadline: January 25, 2026). Simultaneously, iterate on your core idea, find or request a mentor, and begin developing your prospectus to clearly outline the financial opportunities, impact potential, and overall viability.
- Submit Prospectus (Step 3): Submit your mandatory two-page prospectus for the first round of judging by the community of finance and impact professionals. Prospectus Due: February 22, 2026.
- Head to the Finals (Step 4): If selected, prepare to present your final, detailed proposal to a panel of executive judges at the Finals event in London, UK, on April 24, 2026.
Registration Deadline: January 25, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who is eligible to participate in the Sustainable Investing Challenge?
The challenge is open to graduate students (e.g., MBA, Master’s, PhD) from universities across the globe.
2. What is the deadline for team registration?
The registration deadline for the 2026 challenge is January 25, 2026.
3. What must the financial solution focus on?
The proposal must focus on developing an institutional-quality investment vehicle that seeks positive environmental or social impact alongside competitive financial returns.
4. What is the prize for the Grand Prize winner?
The Grand Prize for the winning team is $10,000.
5. What is the required format for the initial submission?
The initial submission in Step 3 is a two-page prospectus outlining the proposed investment vehicle.
6. Where are the Finals for the 2026 Challenge held?
The Finals event for the 2026 competition will be held in London, UK.
7. What kind of professional opportunities are offered to participants?
Opportunities include networking with leading financial professionals, access to a Master Class Lecture Series, and small-group Career Trek sessions with industry experts.
8. What is the deadline for submitting the two-page prospectus?
The prospectus must be submitted by the deadline of February 22, 2026.
9. Are undergraduates eligible to participate?
No, the challenge is specifically for graduate students and is not open to undergraduate students.
10. Does the challenge provide funding for the team’s travel to the Finals?
Yes, selected finalist teams earn the chance for a trip
