Year-Round Program
Inspiring student and alumni leaders and global innovators to tackle pressing challenges in their communities
About
The Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) is an international year-round leadership development program for undergraduate and graduate students that supports a community of student and alumni leaders and entrepreneurs from around the globe who are developing innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. This year-round engagement includes: a social impact curriculum, training and mentorship opportunities, and a wide range of networking opportunities with CGI U partners, peers, alumni, staff, and leaders in the field.
Central to the CGI U model is the Commitment to Action: a new, specific, and measurable project that has a tangible impact in at least one of five focus areas: education, environment and climate change, peace and human rights, poverty alleviation, and public health. Since President Clinton founded CGI U in 2007, more than 11,800 students from over 1,800 schools, over 160 countries, and all 50 states have participated in CGI U’s community of learning, leadership, and action.
There is no cost to participate in the CGI U program but all prospective students must submit an application. The CGI U application process is highly selective, and to be considered, students need to make a commitment to take action on a major issue. This pledge – called a Commitment to Action – takes the form of a new, specific, and measurable plan to solve an issue identified on a college campus, within a local community, or a pressing national or global challenge
Program Offerings
Once accepted, students receive access to CGI U’s program offerings, which include:
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1
Commitment to Action curriculum
that expands on the Commitment to Action model on how to ideate, design, implement and evaluate a social impact project, leveraging the expertise and thought leadership of both CGI U and the Clinton Foundation.
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2
personalized mentorship
where every accepted student is paired with a CGI U Commitment Mentor. Commitment Mentors are CGI U alumni who work with students to refine their social impact projects, prepare for networking opportunities, and engage with the curriculum.
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3
Access to funding streams
including tech challenges, pitch competitions, direct travel assistance to attend CGI U’s in-person annual meeting, and curated information on fellowships with funding opportunities.
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4
student engagement events
including CGI U’s annual meeting, which convenes hundreds of student commitment-makers, alumni, university representatives, topic experts, and high-profile individuals and is hosted by President Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton.
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5
Access to expertise
from thought leaders and changemakers at CGI U and across the Clinton Foundation