The 2025-26 contest
Founded in 2001, the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) is the only global competition that empowers high school students to engage in rigorous written and oral debates on issues of public policy.
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Jointly administered by the Brewer Foundation and New York University (NYU), the IPPF is open to all high school students, regardless of background, school type, or prior competition experience.
By combining the power of persuasive writing and research, the IPPF equips students with lifelong skills — and provides a platform to make their voices heard on the issues shaping our world.
2025-26 IPPF TOPIC
Coming soon!
QUALIFYING ROUND
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The competition begins annually in October, as teams submit a qualifying round essay on the IPPF topic. The essay should be no more than 3,000 words, either affirming or negating the topic resolution. Essays must be submitted by October 15, 2025. Judges evaluate each essay, and the top 64 teams advance into a single-elimination, written debate competition.
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WRITTEN ROUNDS
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In the top 64 round, schools volley papers back and forth via e-mail. Judges review the essays in the order they are presented (affirmative constructive, negative constructive, affirmative rebuttal, negative rebuttal) and select the advancing teams. The process begins anew as the "Top 32" teams compete for their chance to advance to the "Sweet 16" round. (Learn more about the structure of the written rounds.)
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IPPF ORAL DEBATE FINALS
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In March, the "Elite 8" teams are announced. These teams win all-expenses-paid trips to New York City to compete during IPPF Finals Weekend, which begins on Friday, April 17, 2026.
During the finals, teams supplement their written advocacy with oral argumentation. Judges for the oral rounds have included NYU President Emeritus John Sexton, Council on Foreign Relations President Richard N. Haass, Ret. General Wesley Clark, National Speech and Debate Association Executive Director Scott Wunn, and NASA Astronaut Mike Massimino.
Ultimately, the IPPF World Champion wins a $10,000 grand prize and the Brewer Cup!
