Global Thought Scholars

Applications are now open for the 2025-2026 Global Thought Scholars Program.
Apply here by Sunday, October 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET. Note that you will need to be logged into LionMail or a personal Google account to launch the application. Finalists will be invited to interviews, tentatively scheduled to take place during the weeks of October 20 and 27.
Learn more at an online information session on October 8 at 2:00 PM.

Urgent challenges confronting our world today require new and cross-cutting ways of thinking and acting. Global Thought Scholars are trained to think globally about issues of importance to them and to develop their own research projects in collaboration with classmates of diverse majors and disciplinary approaches.

The program welcomes sophomores and juniors of all majors from Columbia College, General Studies, SEAS, and Barnard. Scholars will be chosen for their academic record, commitment to new ways of learning, and diversity of backgrounds and disciplines.

Program structure:

  • First Fall: Sophomores and juniors apply for the program and Global Thought Scholars are selected and announced.
  • Spring: Global Thought Scholars enroll in CGTH 3600: Approaches to Global Thought to investigate transdisciplinary approaches to contemporary questions and develop collaborative research projects.
  • Summer: Global Thought Scholars receive stipends to conduct research with their project teams.
  • Second Fall: Global Thought Scholars participate in a Symposium where they will present their completed projects.
  • Throughout their time, Global Thought Scholars will benefit from close faculty mentoring and activities with their cohort in Global New York.

Benefits:

  • Membership in a diverse cohort of globally-minded students
  • Mentorship from Global Thought faculty
  • Training in transdisciplinary thinking and teamwork with the aim of developing a broader horizon of understanding and engagement than a conventional major alone can provide
  • Opportunity to engage in collaborative work on projects that aim to have an impact beyond the university
  • Activities in Global New York City
  • Summer research stipends

Applicants should:

  • Apply in their sophomore and junior years
  • Complete the application and upload a resume and transcript (unofficial is fine)

Questions?

Please email the CGT Assistant Director of Academic Programs, Farryl Last, at fl2608@columbia.edu with any questions.