MFJMCE: Schuman Challenge Info Session

Event information
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Venue:Zoom

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The Schuman Challenge info webinar will take place on December 2, 2026. This is where we will be going over logistics for this year’s challenge and hearing from Santiago Robles Monsalve and Manuel Carmona Yebras, topic experts from the EU Delegation.

The Schuman Challenge is an academic competition for undergraduate students from U.S. colleges and universities to engage in rigorous dialogue on transatlantic issues.

There are three rounds to the competition:

  • a preliminary round takes place online in a live format to a panel of three judges. The preliminary rounds take place on multiple dates.
  • fifteen teams qualify to be invited to participate in the semi-final round to give their presentation in-person to officials and experts in Washington D.C. at the EU Delegation’s office. Teams receive a travel stipend and accommodation in D.C.
  • Three teams go on to the final round which also takes place in Washington D.C.
  • The winning team is awarded a 4-day Victory Tour of Brussels to visit the EU institutions and to give their winning presentations to officials.

The theme this year will be:

"Develop a policy proposal that analyses the current state of EU-U.S. cooperation on security and offers an initiative or policy by which it might be strengthened in the coming years."

The tasks:

  • Students will have to answer the question above and
  • Propose a joint EU-U.S. initiative
  • Make recommendations
  • Use a specific example or case study

This year’s topic was: On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Within these past 250 years, the development of the transatlantic relationship – first between the United States and individual European countries and now more recently the European Union - has shown that the partnership of security that is central to EU-U.S. relations goes far beyond traditional defense.

In the rapidly changing landscape of a 21st century dominated by shifting geopolitical dynamics and ever-evolving innovations, this transatlantic partnership necessarily must also adapt to meet new, critical needs. Please develop a policy proposal that analyses the current state of EU-U.S. cooperation on security and offers an initiative or policy by which it might be strengthened in the coming years. The proposal must include consideration of 2 of the following areas:

  • Defense
  • Economy, trade and energy
  • Technology and, digital
  • Arctic cooperation

The topic brief and reading list for the 2026 competition is available here.

Four of our Students at FIU have been selected and will participate in the Preliminary Round in Spring 2026.

For more information about the Schuman Challenge and to participate, contact Christine I. Caly-Sanchez at calyc@fiu.edu