Student Competitions & Experiential Learning Opportunities at CSINT
Technology Governance & Policy Challenge
Partnering with the Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA), the annual Technology Governance & Policy Challenge is a two-day event for graduate students who compete to develop the best ideas in addressing longer-term governance challenges associated with new and emerging technology. Participating student teams draw inspiration from a real-world case study and present their proposals to a distinguished panel of judges comprising industry experts, government representatives, and faculty members.
2025-2026 Competition Theme
“Green Technologies for Climate Mitigation, Adaptation, and/or Intervention.”
Taking place February 8–10, 2026, this year’s challenge will focus on Governing Green Technologies—exploring how innovations such as AI-optimized energy grids, low-energy data centers, and other climate-focused technologies can help meet the Paris Agreement’s goals. Set in the lead-up to the next UN Climate Conference (COP), teams will design governance solutions that balance sustainability, innovation, and equity.“
Applications for the 2025-2026 Technology Governance & Policy Competition are Closed.
Applications for 2026-2027 will Reopen in Fall 2026.
Previous Technology Governance & Policy Competitions
In April 2024, the BSIA collaborated with the School of International Service at American University in Washington, DC, to host a small, successful pilot challenge on the theme “Technology and Foreign Interference in Elections.”
Congratulations AU/CSINT Team for Winning “Best Policy Brief”
The 2025 Challenge theme was "Emerging Technology and Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration," and the event was expanded to also include graduate student teams from New York University, IE Madrid, and University of the Western Cape.
Congratulations AU/CSINT Team for Winning “Best Presentation”
Read the Technology Governance Policy Challenge 2025 Anthology
Cyber 9/12 Challenge
About Cyber 9/12
The Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge is a one-of-a-kind cyber competition designed to provide students from across academic disciplines with a deeper understanding of the policy and strategy challenges associated with management of tradeoffs during a cyber crisis. Part interactive learning experience and part competitive scenario exercise, it challenges students to respond to a realistic, evolving scenario of international cyber crisis, analyze the threat it poses to national, international, and private-sector interests, and provide recommendations on the best course of action to mitigate the crisis.
For more information visit the Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge page.
