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The Global Debate Championship 2026 offers fully funded debater scholarships. A fully funded debater gets round-trip airfare to Kuala Lumpur, five days of shared accommodation in a 4-star hotel, daily breakfast and lunch, a visa invitation letter and full access to a five-day international debate championship in Malaysia.
The championship runs from 16 to 20 December 2026 in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. It is open to students, debaters, young professionals and emerging leaders aged 16 to 35 from all countries.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host country | Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) |
| Organiser | European Voice Assembly, under VOOICE Assembly USA |
| Dates | 16 to 20 December 2026 (5 days) |
| Funding | Fully funded debater seats (airfare, 4-star hotel, meals, visa letter), plus partially funded and paid seats |
| Who can apply | Ages 16 to 35, all countries |
| Application fee | €12.99 (fully funded category) |
| Deadline | 1 December 2026 |
What is the Global Debate Championship?
The championship is organised by the European Voice Assembly (EVA), the debate platform of VOOICE Assembly USA. This edition is called the “Harvard Merdeka Edition”. The organisers list Harvard Debate Society parliamentary standards, the UN Youth, Peace and Security agenda and the EU Youth Strategy among the frameworks the debates follow.
Over five days, delegates compete in parliamentary debate rounds, from preliminary rounds to semi-finals and a grand final. There are four debate tracks:
- AI superintelligence and human destiny
- Space law and off-world sovereignty
- Climate economics and the energy transition
- Human rights versus national sovereignty
The programme also includes country representation and floor speaking, diplomatic networking, a team treasure hunt across Kuala Lumpur and a Malaysian heritage gala.
What you get
Fully funded debaters receive:
- Round-trip airfare to Kuala Lumpur from your home country
- Five days of shared accommodation in a 4-star hotel in Bukit Bintang
- Daily buffet breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks
- Full access to all debates, sessions and floor speaking
- An official visa invitation letter and visa guidance
- Three certificates, a debater kit and event merchandise
There are 230 places in total, including 40 scholarship seats. Partially funded debaters get the same package without airfare, at €699. Self-funded seats cost €1,199. Delegate access passes are also available.
Who can apply
- Aged 16 to 35
- All countries, backgrounds and fields of study
- School, college and university students
- Debaters and members of debate societies
- Young professionals, researchers and emerging leaders
Is there an age limit?
Yes. You must be between 16 and 35.
Do I need debate experience?
No. Debate experience helps, but the organisers welcome people from all academic and professional backgrounds. They look at your debating potential, confidence and critical thinking as well as your record.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
No language test is listed. The debates are in English, so you need to speak it confidently.
Is there an application fee?
Yes. The fully funded scholarship category has an application fee of €12.99.
Required documents
You apply through the online form on the championship website. Keep these ready:
- Your passport details
- Your answers on motivation and debate or leadership experience
- A way to pay the €12.99 fee online
How to write your application
The organisers score six things: motivation and clarity of purpose, oratory potential, relevance to the debate themes, academic or debate engagement, commitment to global dialogue, and ethical conduct.
- Pick one of the four tracks and give a short, sharp opinion on it. Show how you think.
- Mention any debates, Model UN, public speaking or leadership roles, even at school level.
- Say what you want to gain and how you will share it at home.
- Write clearly. A debate judge reads your form, so make every sentence count.
How to apply, step by step
- Open the official championship website using the button at the end of this post.
- Click Apply Now and choose the fully funded category.
- Fill in the application form.
- Pay the €12.99 application fee.
- Watch your email for the selection result.
Selection process
Scholarship seats are awarded on merit by the organisers, using the six criteria above. Selected delegates receive a visa invitation letter for Malaysia.
Deadline
1 December 2026.
The championship starts on 16 December, about two weeks after the deadline. Have a valid passport ready in case you are selected.
Have a question?
Drop your question in the comments and we will do our best to help. If you debate at school or university, tell us which track you would pick, it helps the next reader.
Related reading
- Universal Youth Leadership Summit Malaysia 2027 (15 Fully Funded Seats)
- Global Leadership Dialogue 2027 in Budapest, Hungary (20 Fully Funded Seats)
- Youth Diplomacy Convention 2027 in Belgium (Funded Seats)
- International Dialogue on SDG 17 Baku 2026 in Azerbaijan (10 Fully Funded Seats)
- Leadership and Peace Summit Morocco 2027 (Fully Funded Seats)
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