A Global Opportunity. An Elite Competition.
Your Chance to Represent UA.
The University of Alabama is one of only six U.S. universities selected to participate in Entente Cordiale Day, a prestigious international academic competition that brings together students from leading institutions in the United Kingdom, France and the United States.
For the first time, American universities have been invited to join this distinguished program, with UA participating alongside Columbia University, George Washington University, Lafayette College, the University of Virginia and William & Mary.
What Is Entente Cordiale Day?
The competition brings together students from all levels and disciplines who are passionate about developing innovative solutions to global challenges. By connecting some of the brightest students from France, the UK, and the U.S. with influential leaders across disciplines and industries, the Entente Cordiale Day Challenge seeks to inspire, equip, and nurture the next generation of leaders to solve pressing global problems.
The Competition
- The top 10 teams from their respective countries will present their reports in front of a grand jury.
- Teams of three (3) students from participating universities write a 3,000-5,000-word solutions-focused policy report on a prescribed theme.
The 2026-2027 Challenge
The theme for the 2027 challenge is “Artificial Intelligence, Power, and Ethics.” The finals of the competition will be held at the University of Oxford on April 7-8, 2027. Teams selected as finalists will receive expenses-paid travel to Oxford, where they will present their work to an international Grand Jury.
Within this overarching theme there are four (4) tracks:
- How is artificial intelligence reshaping power and decision-making?
- What ethical responsibilities accompany emerging technologies?
- How can technology be developed and deployed for the public good?
The competition is open to UA students at all degree levels and schools. Interdisciplinary and mixed level teams are encouraged!
The Prizes
Prizes recognizing outstanding research are awarded annually to the top five teams from among each of the national cohorts.
The most distinguished prize awarded to the laureates is the opportunity to present their research and policy recommendations directly to senior decision makers and leading figures in public life. On the UK side, winning teams present to the Principal Private Secretary to His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace, while on the French side, laureates present before the Head of Cabinet of the Élysée Palace. In the United States, the Entente Cordiale team is currently developing a collaboration with the White House to provide a similar opportunity for U.S. participants.
Who Can Apply?
Students from all majors and all degree levels are encouraged to apply.
Whether your interests are in business, engineering, policy, computer science, arts and sciences, law, communications or another field, your perspective can contribute to solving complex global challenges.
Teams that register with the University by September 15 are eligible to be matched with a faculty mentor. If you have questions about the competition, registration, or would just like to participate, email entente@ua.edu.
