Every year, the Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge invites teams of graduate students from around the world to develop and pitch creative financial approaches to tackle pressing social and environmental challenges.
In 2019, more than 365 students from over 50 countries and 80 schools proposed novel financial instruments to create positive impact.
The Challenge identifies, empowers, and inspires the next generation of sustainable finance practitioners and connects them with leading industry professionals.
Key Dates for 2020
January 17
Deadline to Request Mentor
Our network of sustainable finance experts is available to give you feedback on your proposal prior to submission.
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February 20
Prospectus Submissions Due
Turn in your team's prospectus to officially enter the competition.
March 10
Finalists
Announced
Teams moving on to the final event will be notified, and will receive additional feedback and resources to turn your prospectus into a pitch.
April 17
Final
Event
The final event will be held at the Morgan Stanley Headquarters in New York City, and participant airfare and hotel will be covered by the competition.
2020 Focus on Plastics
In addition to our broader call for proposals inviting creative financial approaches to social and environmental issues, the 2020 Sustainable Investing Challenge is encouraging concepts that target plastic waste. This new-for-2020 opportunity is in keeping with Morgan Stanley’s Plastic Waste Resolution and commitment to facilitating the prevention, reduction and removal of 50 million metrics tons of plastic waste from entering rivers, oceans, landscapes and landfills by 2030. Proposals that address the issue of plastic waste will be eligible for an additional prize of $5,000 in addition to eligibility for the annual top and runner-up prizes for the overall competition.
Last Year's Challenge
2019
Grand Prize
$10,000
Carbon Yield Fund
A debt financing fund seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by helping farmers transition to regenerative practices, access organic marketplace returns, and generate revenue through aggregated carbon credits
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Northwestern University
2019
Runner Up
$5,000
Grey to Green Fund
A multi-asset fund seeking to help reduce water consumption by acting as a market aggregator for hotel greywater infrastructure
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Johns Hopkins University + Columbia University + Duke University + Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Our 2019 Sponsors
Lead Sponsor
Partnering Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
Collaborating Sponsors
In-Kind Sponsors
