The summit will take place April 22nd-26th, 2026 at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Any person aged 18-26 with a social change project or idea is invited to apply to the Global Engagement Summit. If you do not meet the age requirement and would like to apply, contact delreach@thegesnu.org.

Each year, GES brings people from over 40 countries, 50 universities, and 35 businesses and organizations to Northwestern's campus. Our delegates are young social entrepreneurs with ideas, energy, and determination to put their projects into action.

Our speakers and facilitators are experts in various fields such as education, social entrepreneurship, global health, etc. and are qualified to offer to delegates tangible skills to advance both their project and personal development.

The Summit curriculum consists of multiple keynote addresses, a variety of skill-building workshops, small group discussions and feedback sessions, mentoring sessions, and cultural and social activities. For more information, visit the Summit Programming page. 

For the 2026 Global Engagement Summit, all accepted delegates will be housed at an Evanston-area hotel. Delegates will fill out a housing form to ensure their specific accommodation and roommate preferences (gender accommodations, allergies, etc.).

We believe that a roommate requirement fosters relationships essential to the GES experience. However, if you are uncomfortable or unwilling to have a roommate, please feel free to arrange your own accommodations in Evanston, IL, USA. The cost of alternate accommodations and housing is not covered by GES.

We can offer nonlocal speakers, facilitators, and organization representatives housing in an Evanston-area hotel. Please reach out to logistics@thegesnu.org with questions.

IMPORTANT: We can only accept delegates who can process a US check

Every delegate will be provided with housing and transportation to and from the accommodation. Delegates will also be provided breakfast each morning. Travel to and from a home country or U.S. state of residence is covered by the delegate. The delegate will incur all personal costs, including additional food and transportation.

Financial aid is available and will be awarded on a case-by-case basis to cover some/all of the cost of the Summit and travel expenses. Once delegates are accepted, they will be sent a financial aid application. Accepted delegates are encouraged to seek funding from their own universities first. Financial aid is prioritized for those who submit their applications prior to the priority deadline.

Financial aid reimbursements will be given to delegates at the Summit. Delegates must be at the Summit to receive reimbursements. Delegates who are unable to make it to the Summit, for whatever reason, will not be reimbursed for costs incurred prior. If you have any questions abut financial aid, please email delreach@thegesnu.org

Yes. As a delegate, you must stay for the duration of the Summit. The GES curriculum is designed in such a way that it builds upon itself from day to day. The GES experience will be most valuable if you are in attendance for all aspects of the Summit. If you have an extenuating circumstance, do not be discouraged from applying. Please email delreach@thegesnu.org well in advance for any questions.

Yes, but not for the entirety of the Summit. Programming such as speaker events will be open to the public, and a limited number of workshop “guest passes” will become available in the weeks preceding the event. Contact content@thegesnu.org for more info about guest passes.

By taking part in the Summit, you will have access to a GES alumni community and resource network that tries to support youth-led endeavors. The GES website–in addition to other social networking tools–will provide a gateway to connect with your fellow GES attendees. For more information, contact er@thegesnu.org.