Practice Problem 1
27 March 2026
Invasive Species; evaluation returned 27 April 2026
Competition
Global Issues (Future Problem Solving)
by Future Problem Solving Program International
A research-led competition where students solve imagined future problems using a six-step method and develop an action plan.
Last verified: 3 Aug 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
Competition
Global Issues (Future Problem Solving)
by Future Problem Solving Program International
A research-led competition where students solve imagined future problems using a six-step method and develop an action plan.
Last verified: 3 Aug 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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Global Issues competition at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Closing soon
Eligibility
Grades 4-12
Age range / Year group
Ages 9-18
Location / Region
Online or local affiliate
Cost
Varies by affiliate
Prize highlight
World Finals qualification
Entry format
Individual or team of four
Global Issues competition summary
Students research a major real-world issue, explore how it could develop in the future and respond to an imagined scenario.
The timed task follows a six-step process: identify challenges, define an underlying problem, generate solutions, create criteria, compare options and develop an action plan.
It suits curious students who enjoy structured creativity, collaborative thinking and applying research under time pressure.
What is Global Issues (Future Problem Solving)?
Global Issues is Future Problem Solving Program International’s research-led competition built around imagined “what if” scenarios. Students investigate complex challenges from business, civics, society, science and technology, then consider how those issues could affect the future.
During competition, students apply a defined six-step method to an assigned future situation. They move from identifying challenges to selecting a central problem, generating and evaluating solutions, and writing an action plan, with trained evaluators providing rubric-based feedback.
Why Succeed highlights Global Issues competition
The competition turns broad global topics into a disciplined, repeatable problem-solving process.
Students combine topic research with divergent and convergent thinking rather than relying on recall alone.
Rubric-based feedback addresses each stage of the solution process, making participation useful beyond final rankings.
Individual and team routes make the format adaptable to different working styles.
Strong affiliate performers can progress towards an international final.
Who is Global Issues competition for?
Best for
Students who enjoy researching unfamiliar issues, generating multiple ideas and turning analysis into a practical solution.
Not ideal if
You prefer a subject with one correct answer or do not want to practise a structured process with an adult coach.
Is Global Issues competition worth it?
Global Issues is worth considering if you want evidence of sustained research, structured reasoning and collaborative problem-solving. The method is transferable to academic projects, interviews and situations where you must compare several plausible solutions.
The main limitation is that success requires substantial preparation beyond the timed task, and the exact experience depends on your affiliate. Treat progression as a bonus rather than the only reason to participate; the strongest value lies in the process and evaluator feedback.
How much preparation does Global Issues competition need?
Effort level
High.
Best started
Begin several weeks before your affiliate’s first practice problem.
Main challenge
Converting a broad future scenario into one precise, solvable underlying problem.
Typical preparation
Research the assigned topic from several credible perspectives.
Practise every step separately before attempting a full timed booklet.
Use feedback from practice problems to identify recurring weaknesses.
Complete at least one realistic two-hour rehearsal.
Useful if
You can practise with a coach and review evaluator feedback.
What do students do on Global Issues competition?
You research an assigned global topic before responding to an imagined future scene. During the competition window, you complete the six-step process and produce a reasoned action plan.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Identify important challenges raised by the future situation.
- 2
Select and clearly state the most significant underlying problem.
- 3
Generate a varied set of possible solutions.
- 4
Develop five relevant criteria for comparing the strongest solutions.
- 5
Apply each criterion through an evaluation grid.
- 6
Explain the winning solution in a practical action plan.
Global Issues competition dates and deadlines
These dates apply to the Australian affiliate; check your local affiliate’s calendar.
Reference date
Practice Problem 2
19 June 2026
Space Exploration; evaluation returned 13 July 2026
Qualifying Problem
14 August 2026
Video Games; evaluation returned 9 September 2026
National Finals
16-18 October 2026
Caulfield Grammar School, Victoria
Practice Problem 4
6 November 2026
Surveillance; evaluation returned 27 November 2026
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Practice Problem 1 | 27 March 2026 | Local | Reference date | Save deadline |
Practice Problem 2 | 19 June 2026 | Local | Reference date | Save deadline |
Qualifying Problem | 14 August 2026 | Local | Reference date | Save deadline |
National Finals | 16-18 October 2026 | Local | Reference date | Save deadline |
Practice Problem 4 | 6 November 2026 | Local | Reference date | Save deadline |
Eligibility and requirements
Grades 4-12 across Junior, Middle and Senior divisions.
Enter individually or in a team of up to four.
Participate through a school, club or independent route.
Register through a regional or virtual open affiliate.
Work alongside an adult coach or liaison.
How much does Global Issues competition cost?
Entry fee
Affiliate-set fees — General competition materials and evaluation are included.
Potential funding / awards
- Topic learning units: Optional extra — Additional research and activity resources are available.
- Finals fees: May cost extra — Regional affiliate and World Finals charges may apply.
What's included
Future scenes and suggested topic readings, Competition booklets, Evaluation and feedback on booklet submissions, Coach access to general programme materials
How to enter Global Issues competition
- 1
Find the Future Problem Solving affiliate serving your location.
- 2
Choose whether to participate through a school, club or independently.
- 3
Select individual or team participation and the appropriate division.
- 4
Confirm an adult coach or liaison for the entry.
- 5
Complete the affiliate’s registration and payment process.
- 6
Use the affiliate calendar and submission system for each problem.
Save this competition in Succeed, keep the deadline visible, and track your progress before you submit.
Start your entry checklistCompetition prompts
Choose one question from your selected subject area. Succeed shows a small preview here, but always check the current competition instructions before writing.
Questions shown from the latest verified cycle, for reference only.
Q1.In the digital dark age, how might we prioritize data to save and reduce the effects of information loss in the future?
Submission requirements
The exact submission channel and booklet expectations are set by the relevant affiliate.
Assigned future situation
Completed six-step process
Two-hour competition window
Individual or team booklet submission
Affiliate submission system
Creative presentation at many affiliate finals
Prizes and recognition
Affiliate champions
Regional champions may be invited to compete at the International Conference and World Finals.
Evaluator feedback
Registered students receive rubric-based feedback on each problem-solving step.
What this may help with
Demonstrating research, reasoning and collaborative problem-solving.
What it does not guarantee
World Finals selection or an admissions advantage.
Judging criteria
- Important challenges identified across multiple categories
- Clear and significant underlying problem
- Quality, quantity and variety of solution ideas
- Five relevant single-standard criteria
- Consistent comparison through the evaluation grid
- Practical explanation of the selected action plan
Official scoring weights are not published here.
How to stand out
- Research causes, stakeholders and second-order effects instead of collecting disconnected facts.
- Write an underlying problem that is specific enough to solve but significant enough to matter.
- Generate genuinely different solution mechanisms rather than small variations on one idea.
- Design criteria that measure separate qualities and apply each one consistently.
- Make the action plan show who acts, what changes and how implementation works.
- Use practice feedback to improve weak steps before the qualifying problem.
Global Issues competition FAQs
Yes. Students can participate through community clubs, independent learning channels or asynchronously online. Entry is coordinated through a regional affiliate or the central open affiliate.
Yes. Students may enter individually or in a team of up to four.
Yes. Every individual or team works with an adult coach or liaison, who may be a teacher, parent or another suitable adult.
Annual topics draw from business, civics, society, science and technology. Each problem asks students to investigate a significant issue and consider its future implications.
Students respond to an imagined future situation using the six-step process. They identify challenges, define a problem, generate and compare solutions, and finish with an action plan.
Registered students receive rubric-based feedback from trained evaluators on each stage of their submission.
Students first compete through their affiliate structure. Regional affiliate champions may then be invited to the International Conference and World Finals.
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Save this competition in Succeed to compare it with other essay prizes, deadlines and entry formats in one place.
Compare with other competitionsContent reviewed by
Sean Stevens
Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)
Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, programme quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- FPSNZ Booklet - School Registration
- Due dates for Future Problem Solving Australia
- Register your team | Future Problem Solving Programs
- Quick Start Guide: Global Issues - Future Problem Solving Resource Library
- Future Problem Solving | Find FPS Near Me
- Future Problem Solving Competition Sign Up | Future Problem Solving
- Future Problem Solving | Find FPS Near Me
- Global Issues | Future Problem Solving
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 3 Aug 2026)
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Fees compared
Topics reviewed
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How Succeed uses this information
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