Championship guide · Problem solving · School students

Future Problem Solving Program International

A non-profit programme that teaches students a structured way to solve complex future problems. Students take part through regional affiliates, and affiliate champions are invited to the International Conference each June.

Book a free Readiness AssessmentOfficial competition site
  • Through regional affiliates
  • Global Issues, writing and projects
  • International Conference, June 2027

At a glance

  • A six-step problem-solving process
  • Team and individual competitions
  • Entry through regional affiliates
  • Finals in June
Official site

About the championship

What students actually do

FPSPI runs several competitions, including Global Issues Problem Solving, Community Projects, Creative Writing and Storytelling. In Global Issues, teams work through a future scene on a set topic using a six-step problem-solving process.

Students join through an affiliate in their region or country. The champions of each affiliate are invited to the International Conference, where finalists tackle the year’s world finals topic.

Key facts

The 2027 International Conference at a glance

The world finals topic will be announced on 1 March 2027.

OrganiserFuture Problem Solving Program International, a non-profit
How students take partThrough a regional or national affiliate; affiliate champions are invited to the International Conference
CompetitionsGlobal Issues, Community Projects, Creative Writing and Storytelling, among others
International Conference 20279–13 June 2027, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
World finals topicTo be announced 1 March 2027 (the 2026 topic was Forestry)
Age divisions and feesSet out by the organiser and affiliates; check with your affiliate

Sources: FPSPI International Conference, FPSPI. Checked 6 November 2026. Always confirm dates and rules on the official site.

Preparation with IFA

How we help students get ready

Live coaching built around what this competition rewards: research, structured thinking and clear writing under time pressure.

Researching the topic

Reading widely on each year’s topics and picking out the facts and trends that matter.

Structured problem solving

Breaking a complex problem into steps and choosing the best solution with clear criteria.

Timed practice

Practice scenarios worked through under time limits, with feedback on every step.

Writing it up clearly

Turning ideas into clear, persuasive written solutions that judges can follow.

Not sure this is the right competition?

In a free 30-minute Readiness Assessment, a founder meets your child and you, and sends a written plan within 24 hours. If another competition, or none yet, is a better fit, we will say so.

Book a free assessment

Questions

What parents ask

Is FPSPI a business competition?
Not directly. It builds structured thinking, research and persuasive writing, which help in business case competitions too.
How does my child join?
Through the FPSPI affiliate for your region or country. The affiliate runs the qualifying rounds.
When is the next International Conference?
9–13 June 2027 at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.
Is IFA connected to the organisers?
No. IFA is an independent academy. We help students prepare, but we have no affiliation with Future Problem Solving Program International or any of its affiliates.

International Finance Academy is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Future Problem Solving Program International or any of its affiliates. Competition names are used only to describe the events we help students prepare for.

All championship guides2026–27 deadlines