China Bridge Challenge

The China Bridge Challenge case competition invites student teams to explore the intricate complexities encountered by the U.S. and China through a myriad of challenges and a rapidly evolving relationship, and find a way out through innovative collaborations. 

Over the past decade, tensions in the U.S.-China relationship have increased, growing more antagonistic in areas from education and research to human rights, geopolitical developments, and trade and tariffs. The road ahead has numerous obstacles and U.S.-China relations face new and difficult challenges every day. While the development of an equitable, peaceful, and sustainable U.S.-China relationship remains crucial, a solution cannot be reached without sufficient mutual understanding and multi-facet bilateral cooperation. Young leaders in both countries need to work together to tackle the challenges we face. 

Teams will compete through a proposal and presentation, offering concrete plans for the next steps the U.S. and China can take to address the issue and find a solution that balances the interest and objectives of both China and the U.S.

The winning team will receive $6,000, and the runner-up will receive $4,000. Please note: Students need to be enrolled in Spring 2025 to receive the prize money.

Sign up as a team

Sign up as an individual

Team Formation

For the first time, this year's competition will include an international partner, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). Each team of UMN students will be matched with two students from SJTU to get real-world experience in working cross-culturally to solve today's challenges.

Team formation will be a two-step procedure. First, teams of three students will be formed at the University of Minnesota. Students can either apply as a team or apply individually and be matched with teammates by the China Center. Each team must include at least one international student from the Greater China area and at least one American student. The China Center will then assign two students from SJTU to each team.

Competition Timeline

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November 15, 2024: Application deadline

University of Minnesota students must register as either a team of three or as individual applicants by November 15, 2024. 

Applicants should also provide a project idea at this point. This is not a final choice; teams may still choose a different topic before submitting their written proposal. Learn more about choosing a topic.

Each team will find and work with a faculty coach after confirmation of team participation. 

In December, the China Center will assign two students from Shanghai Jiao Tong University to each team.

November 20, 2024: Formation of teams of 3

Teams of three University of Minnesota students will be finalized by November 15, 2024. Two students from Shanghai Jiao Tong University will be added to each team in December.

December 1, 2024: Deadline to identify a coach

Each team must identify a coach by December 1, 2024. Coaches can be a faculty member or expert in relevant fields, who will provide feedback, direction, and support for the team as they prepare for the competition. Coaches will meet with their teams 2-3 times over the course of the competition preparation period.

Download the coach agreement form.

December 10, 2024: Teams of 5 finalized with addition of 2 SJTU students to each team

By December 10, 2024, the China Center will assign two students from our partner institution, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, to each UMN team of three.

February 16, 2025: Deadline for written proposal

The first meeting with your designated faculty coach will take place soon after the formation of teams to help develop project ideas and establish communication protocols. By the deadline of February 16, 2025, each team will submit a written proposal of 1,000–1,500 words, identifying the project's scope, topic relevance, challenge and solution, feasibility (e.g., utilize resources available to the UMN community), and impact. Please supply a list of references from credible sources. You are encouraged to utilize design thinking and processes to address why and how the U.S. and China should partner to solve the identified challenge. 

See the proposal template.

February 21, 2025: Selection of finalists

Teams will be notified if they are selected as finalists by February 21, 2025. Selected teams will proceed to meet with their coach again to prepare for the final presentation.

February 28, 2025: Final presentation

Each team will present based on their proposed project and solutions for 20 minutes, followed by a 15-minute judge Q&A. Judges will be selected from faculty, staff, and area experts. They will review all team proposals and presentations, select the winning teams, and provide constructive feedback.

$6,000 will be awarded to the winning team, and $4,000 to the runner-up team. The proposals and presentations of the winning teams will be posted on the China Center's website.

See the judges' rubric.

2025 Challenge

Theme

Strategies for an Evolving U.S.-China Relationship: Joint Initiatives in Renewable Energy and Green Technology

Prize

  • 1st place: $6,000
  • 2nd place: $4,000

Partner

Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Logo for Shanghai Jiaotong University

Thank you to Ralph Beha for financially supporting the China Bridge Challenge.