Planet+ moves students beyond learning about climate change to working on it.
Building the skills, networks, and experiences to lead the future of climate innovation locally and globally.
The Student Learning Journey: From Knowledge to Action
Through the Planet+ experience, students move from understanding complex challenges to designing and presenting real-world solutions. Along the way, they gain:
Students approach complex challenges through systems thinking, understanding how interconnected factors shape outcomes.
Learning Outcome: The ability to evaluate complexity, connect ideas, and make informed decisions in dynamic environments.
Systems Thinking
Students work on expert-authored case studies to evaluate current approaches, navigate constraints, and identify opportunities.
Learning Outcome: The ability to interpret real-world problems critically, adapt ideas, and develop solutions grounded in practical context.
Real-World Application
Students produce tangible outputs including analyses, systems maps, stakeholder insights, and a comprehensive solution.
Learning Outcome: A portfolio-ready body of work for college applications, academic pathways, and future careers.
Portfolio & Distinction
Transferable Skills
Through research, iteration, and presentation, students develop core competencies in analysis, communication, and collaboration.
Learning Outcome: Experience working in a structured, feedback-driven environment that mirrors academic and professional settings.
How to Apply?
Eligibility
Planet+ welcomes high school and undergraduate students internationally.
Students may apply as part of a team representing their school or organization.
If all team members do travel to the Competition, only 4 may compete in any given simulation/presentation. For all other events, all team members may participate.
Selection Criteria
Applications are reviewed based on academic curiosity, interdisciplinary interest, teamwork potential, and motivation to engage with climate challenges.
The selection process is designed to identify students who demonstrate initiative, openness to learning, and a willingness to explore complex global problems collaboratively.
Key Dates
September 2026
Applications open for the Competition & Summit
October 30, 2026
Competition application deadline
November - December 2026
Complete 2 rounds of deliverables for the Competition
January–February 2027
Final preparations for the Competition
February 12, 2027
Application deadline for the Summit
March 2027
Planet+ Competition and Summit
High School Division
High School Division
For high school students, Planet+ provides early access to work typically encountered only at the university level. Students gain:
A portfolio-ready project that strengthens college applications
Early exposure to careers that intersect with climate change
Experience applying classroom knowledge to real-world problems
Greater clarity in academic interests and future pathways
Students stand out not just for what they’ve learned—but for what they’ve built.
Undergraduate Division
For undergraduate students, Planet+ provides a platform to apply academic knowledge in a structured, professionally relevant environment. Students gain:
Experience developing rigorous project proposals
Exposure to how solutions are evaluated across research, policy, and industry
Opportunities to present work to expert judges and receive professional feedback
A stronger foundation for graduate study, internships, and careers in climate and sustainability
Students move from theory to practice—building work that reflects how problems are solved in the real world.
Evaluation and Recognition
Teams are evaluated by expert judges using structured criteria based on:
Quality of submitted deliverables
Final presentations and simulations
Overall clarity, feasibility, and impact of the solution
Teams compete in two divisions—High School and Undergraduate—with both groups completing the same core deliverables but evaluated using age-appropriate criteria.
Teams must not only demonstrate that they have a clear understanding of the problem, but that they have iterated on a well-developed solution, that they have a credible implementation strategy, and that their ideas can actually work in practice.
Recognition at Planet+ signals both academic rigor and real-world relevance—distinguishing participants in academic and professional environments.
Registration Stages
Competition (Phase 1)
Confirms participation, unlocks case studies, and allows teams to proceed with work submission. Phase 1 payment due.
Due by October 30, 2026
Competition (Phase 2 )
Due by February 15, 2027
Advancing teams must confirm participation and complete registration for the Global Final. Phase 2 payment due.
Registration deadline to enable individual participation in the Summit. Full Summit fees due.
Summit (final deadline)
Teams must complete Phase 1 payment to confirm participation. We can accept applications where the teams are not fully complete, but the fee for phase 1 is not refundable.
Phase 2 payment is required to remain eligible for the competition. Teams that do not progress to the final event in Singapore will not be subject to this fee.
Payments must be completed by deadlines. We encourage teams to begin preparation early, even if they plan to complete payment later.
Due by January 15, 2027
Competition Pricing
(Phase 1)
Team-Based Pricing
$1,500 USD per team
Included in phase 1 fees:
Access to case studies
Expert talks
Office hours with judges
Feedback and mentorship on deliverables for rounds 1 and 2
What a “Team” Means
6–10 students
1 advisor for high school teams
(Phase 2)
Finalist Advancement Fee
$3,000 USD per team
Included in phase 2 fees:
Competition registration fee for the team* + materials
Final-stage evaluation and feedback
Venue + meals during competition
*The registration fee covers attendance for up to 6 students at the live event. More team members can participate for an added Summit participant fee.
Summit Pricing
Per Participant Pricing
To be determined. Please check back at a later time.
Includes:
Registration fees
Venue + meals during competition
Materials
Access to live competition pitches, presentations, and student showcases.
Preparation
(Before August)
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In the months leading up to August, teams can:
Form a team
Identify a mentor
Explore challenge areas
Begin discussing project interests
Start fundraising conversations
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Planet+ is committed to making the program accessible to talented students around the world. Scholarships and financial support will be available to help reduce financial barriers for qualifying teams. More information about scholarship opportunities and eligibility will be made available when applications are released.
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Applications will open in September 2026 through a separate portal, where students and educators can access detailed program information, application forms, submission guidelines, and supporting resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Planet+ is open to high school and undergraduate students from around the world. Students participate as part of interdisciplinary teams of 6–10 members, and teams may represent a school, university, or independent student group. While all team members may travel to attend the Competition, only 4 may compete during any of the live simulation rounds at the live event.
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No. Planet+ is intentionally designed to be interdisciplinary. Successful teams often include students interested in science, engineering, economics, policy, business, design, and social sciences, reflecting how real climate solutions are developed.
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The Planet+ Competition is a multi-stage program where teams respond to climate case studies and develop solutions over several months.
The Planet+ Summit is the live global event in Singapore where students can attend panels, workshops, and networking events—even if they are not competing.
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No. Teams focus on designing viable, real-world solutions rather than building physical prototypes. Students are expected to develop research-backed proposals and a business plan that addresses scientific, policy, financial, and implementation considerations.
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The competition takes place over the academic year, with teams completing several deliverables between November and December 2026, followed by refinement and preparation before the global event in March 2027.
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Teams respond to expert-written case studies in key thematic areas such as climate finance, public health and welfare, and agriculture and food systems—sectors where climate change is already reshaping global systems.
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Teams are evaluated by expert judges from academia, industry, nonprofit organizations, and government based on criteria such as systems thinking, research quality, feasibility of solutions, and innovation.
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Students are strongly encouraged to apply as part of a team. Students who are concerned about finding teammates are encouraged to first explore opportunities within their own schools. If students apply individually, the Planet+ team will do our best to support them by connecting them with peers in the same city or region who share similar interests and complementary strengths, with the goal of forming interdisciplinary teams.
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High school teams are required to work with a teacher or mentor. Undergraduate teams may work alone without a teacher but a mentor is recommended. High school teams may also choose to involve a parent, advisor, or school sponsor who can support coordination and provide guidance during the project development process.
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Teams receive a range of learning resources throughout the program, including expert-written case studies, deliverables, feedback from judges, and access to learning materials designed to guide them through research, systems analysis, and solution development.