CGI U 2023
Students taking action together
Clinton Global Initiative University
About
Founded by President Bill Clinton in 2007, CGI University is a community of students who are taking action together on pressing challenges facing their campuses, communities, and the world. Through the Clinton Global Initiative’s power of convening and Commitment to Action model, more than 12,500 students have made an impact in over 160 countries and all 50 states — with the support of more than $4.8 million in funding from CGI University’s corporate and university partners. Now in its 18th year, CGI University’s year-round program engages students, alumni, colleges and universities, and influential voices in creating new ways to effect change on the topics that matter most to emerging leaders.
The application window for the 2025 CGI University student cohort is now open. Apply here
Approach
Over the course of the program, rising leaders participate in trainings, modules, and tailored events that help formulate their ideas and provide the necessary resources, feedback, and tools to transform their ideas into action.
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1
Learning
CGI U offers one-of-a-kind training, resources, and personalized mentorship on how to ideate, design, implement, and evaluate a social impact project.
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2
Leadership
Through a year-round curriculum, hosted on edX, that includes student networking and engagement events, CGI U provides unique opportunities to connect aspiring leaders with leading experts in business, technology, social impact and each other.
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3
Action
CGI U participants are selected on the strength of their Commitment to Action. CGI U helps them formulate their ideas and provides the necessary resources, feedback, tools, and potential funding streams to turn their ideas into action.
The application window for the 2024 CGI University student cohort is now closed. To receive occasional updates with news, future application updates, and other program developments, please join our mailing list.
Criteria:
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of admission.
- Applicants must be enrolled at least part-time in an accredited institution of higher learning.
IMPORTANT DATES:
- Application opens: October 15, 2024
- Apply by November 20, 2024 for early decision, and December 20, 2024 for regular decision
- Students accepted: February 2025
- CGI U program commences: April 2025
- CGI U program graduation: December 2025
Accepted students receive access to:
- CGI U’s social impact curriculum, hosted on edX
- Interactive trainings and group mentorship
- Identification and growth of entrepreneurship and workforce development skills
- Development of early-stage social impact ideas into scalable projects and businesses
- Peer collaboration with a global exchange of ideas, comprised of diverse students from over 80 countries and across all types of higher education institutions
- Invitations to virtual events with best-in-class speakers
DONATE TO CGI UNIVERSITY
Your gift will help us engage more student leaders, build more partnerships, and do even more to address today’s most pressing challenges.
Students
CGI University is a community of students who are taking action together on pressing challenges facing their campuses, communities, and the world. Now in its 16th year, CGI University’s year-round program engages students, alumni, colleges and universities, and influential voices in creating new ways to effect change on the topics that matter most to emerging leaders.
Alumni
There are many ways to stay connected with CGI U once you have completed the program. You are part of a growing global community of more than 12,500 commitment-makers who continue to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. If you’re a CGI U alumni, please update your contact information or share your latest accomplishments and opportunities with our team.
Partners & University Network
CGI U works closely with partners to provide a wide range of meaningful engagement opportunities for emerging leaders. CGI U actively engages with corporations, foundations, NGOs, and others to co-design and co-develop robust and relevant programming that enhances student entrepreneurial skills, provides space for community-based learning and networking, and prepares student projects for long-term success.
PAST MEETINGS
CGI U 2022
American Association of Community Colleges
Virtual Annual Meeting
CGI U 2021
Howard University
Virtual Annual Meeting
CGI U 2020
University of Edinburgh
Virtual Annual Meeting
CGI U 2018
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
CGI U 2017
Northeastern University
Boston, MA
CGI U 2016
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
CGI U 2015
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
CGI U 2014
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ
CGI U 2013
Washington University
St. Louis, MO
CGI U 2012
George Washington University
Washington, DC
CGI U 2011
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, CA
CGI U 2010
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
CGI U 2009
University of Texas
Austin, TX
CGI U 2008
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA
Impact
At the Clinton Foundation, we believe data should be used to guide how programs are designed and implemented. We leverage both quantitative and qualitative information in order to promote evidence-based decision-making and help the Foundation and our community of partners achieve greater results in people’s lives across the country and around the world.
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12.5K
university students
from more than 160 countries and 137 institutions of higher education turning their ideas into action through CGI University
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$4.8M
in funding
has been awarded to student commitment-makers through the CGI University Network.
Commitments to Action
Through CGI U, students make Commitments to Action to address pressing challenges. Explore commitments from CGI U alumni below.
Stories
Tackling stigma against the LGBTQ+ community: One CGI U alum’s work in the fight for sexual and gender justice
The Clinton Global Initiative inspires leaders to come together to take action on the world’s most pressing issues. …
One CGI U alum’s journey to harness technology to connect LGBTQ+ individuals with safe, verified resources
Innovative technology. Social impact. Supporting the LGBTQ+ community. What happens when you combine the three? Great things, …
Next Up: Engaging the Next Generation
RAGINA ARRINGTON AND JORDAN ASHWOOD ON WHY THEY ARE BETTING ON THE NEXT GENERATION TO CREATE A FUTURE …
Tackling stigma against the LGBTQ+ community: One CGI U alum’s work in the fight for sexual and gender justice
The Clinton Global Initiative inspires leaders to come together to take action on the world’s most pressing issues. …
One CGI U alum’s journey to harness technology to connect LGBTQ+ individuals with safe, verified resources
Innovative technology. Social impact. Supporting the LGBTQ+ community. What happens when you combine the three? Great things, …
Next Up: Engaging the Next Generation
RAGINA ARRINGTON AND JORDAN ASHWOOD ON WHY THEY ARE BETTING ON THE NEXT GENERATION TO CREATE A FUTURE …
