Global Goals Week 2026

MAJOR COST

The Money, Business & Ethics Challenge 2026

Major Cost 2026 is a global, virtual financial-literacy competition presented as part of Global Goals Week 2026. Participants must be ages 15–24 on February 20, 2027, and will design an engaging, classroom-ready lesson for high school students that teaches a practical personal-finance concept while examining the businesses, institutions, and stakeholders that influence financial decisions and their ethical and real-world impact. Selected curriculum may be further developed and used in high schools around the world.

Submit Now Explore the Challenge

Eligibility

Ages 15–24 on Feb. 20, 2027

Entry

Solo or teams up to 5

First Round

1–2 page lesson plan

Prize Pool

$600+ + special awards

Advancing the Global Goals

Major Cost 2026 expands access to practical financial education, prepares young people to make informed economic decisions, and creates a free global platform for youth-led learning.

Expert perspectives

Meet the Experts Behind Major Cost

Meet the distinguished educators, researchers, and industry leaders bringing their expertise in finance, technology, business, and education to the Major Cost – The Money, Business & Ethics Challenge.

A simple first round

How It Works

One focused idea is enough to begin.

Choose a Track

Choose one of four personal-finance topics.

Design One Lesson

Create a lesson for a 45–60 minute high school class and summarize the idea in just 1–2 pages.

Compete Globally

Top entries advance to a virtual final, with finalists selected across three world regions.

Your first-round submission is only a one- to two-page plan. Finalists will have additional time to develop their lesson before the live final.

Four routes in

Choose Your Challenge Track

01 / 04

Everyday Money & Financial Decisions

Budgeting, banking, saving, income, taxes, major purchases, and independent living.

02 / 04

Credit & Debt

Credit cards, credit scores, loans, interest, responsible borrowing, and consumer protection.

03 / 04

Investing & Risk

Investing fundamentals, diversification, insurance, retirement, fraud, risk, and responsible investing.

04 / 04

Financial Technology & the Future of Money

Digital payments, cryptocurrency, financial apps, privacy, access, fraud, and emerging financial tools.

Ethics is integrated into every track. Lessons should examine how businesses, institutions, and other stakeholders influence personal financial decisions.

Regional representation

A Global Challenge

12 finalists. Three regions. Four tracks represented in each.

Virtual worldwide — no travel required

Americas

4 Finalists

One finalist from each challenge track

North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean

Americas

4 Finalists

North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean

EMEA

4 Finalists

Europe, Middle East & Africa

Asia-Pacific (APAC)

4 Finalists

East, South, Southeast, and Central Asia, plus Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands

Within each region, one finalist will be selected from each of the four challenge tracks, resulting in 12 finalist teams worldwide. The competition and final are entirely virtual.

Recognition

$600+ Prize Pool

Three main awards, plus special category recognition.

1st Place

$300

2nd Place

$200

3rd Place

$100

Plus special awards, including Student's Choice and other category recognition.

Beyond the prizes, selected lessons may be further developed, piloted, and used in high schools around the world.

THE POCKETSMITH AWARD

The team with the highest-scoring proposal in the Everyday Money & Financial Decisions track will receive one year of the PocketSmith Foundation plan, worth $120 USD.

Key dates

Competition Timeline

All official event times are listed in Los Angeles time.

September 26, 2026

Challenge Opens

The submission period begins during Global Goals Week 2026.

7:00 AM Los Angeles time (PDT)

September 26 – December 19, 2026

Design Period

Participants develop their one- to two-page lesson plan.

December 19, 2026

Submission Deadline

Submit the first-round lesson plan.

11:59 PM Los Angeles time (PST)

December 20, 2026 – January 17, 2027

Preliminary Judging

Entries reviewed and 12 regional finalists selected.

January 18, 2027

Finalists Announced

Finalists receive feedback and additional time to develop their lesson.

January 18 – February 19, 2027

Finalist Preparation

Finalists refine their lesson and prepare their live presentation.

February 20, 2027

Global Virtual Final

Live finalist presentations, judging, and awards.

First-round entry

One Idea. One to Two Pages.

Propose one engaging financial-literacy lesson designed for a 45–60 minute high school class. The first round is about the strength of your idea—not producing an entire curriculum.

Submit Now Download Proposal Template

Lesson title

Selected track & financial concept

Learning objectives

Brief explanation of how the lesson works

Main activity, case study, simulation, or exercise

Business, institution, or stakeholder perspective

Ethical question or dilemma

Key stakeholders

Expected student takeaway

Sources supporting financial information

Transparent scoring

What Judges Are Looking For

Financial Accuracy20%

Educational Effectiveness20%

Ethics & Stakeholder Analysis20%

Real-World Relevance15%

Classroom Readiness15%

Creativity & Engagement10%

School prestige, geographic location, production quality, and English accent will not affect scoring.

Potential impact

From a Youth Idea to a Real Classroom

Major Cost 2026 is designed around a simple idea: young people should have a voice in how financial literacy is taught to young people. Selected lessons may be further developed with educators and partners for potential use in high schools around the world.

Youth Idea

Lesson Plan

Finalist Development

Educator Review

Classroom Pilot

Working together