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Why CTB

How to Join

Academic Support

Digital Library

Explore Topics

中文

2026–2027

CTB Global Youth
Research and Innovation Conference

Co-create with AI

Think Big, Start Small
Explore real-world questions through subject-based projects.

Project Completion

January 20, 2027

National Conference

February 26–28, 2027*
Beijing / Shanghai

Harvard Global Conference

April 3–8, 2027*
Harvard University, Boston

*Dates are tentative

Core academic skills courses

Project guides and report templates

Feedback for project tasks

1,000+ schools 100,000+ young innovators
200+ student clubs

First launched in 2012 by scholars from Harvard Business School and Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management
10,000 high school students from over 500 high schools nationwide participate annually
Project-based learning (PBL), interdisciplinary academic research, impactful innovative projects
Students advanced from communities and campuses to world-class academic innovation conferences

Outstanding papers will be included in the CTB Conference Proceedings and the Harvard YSA Academic Journal
Research outputs at CTB are highly recognized by universities worldwide.

Past CTB topics and mentors have come from these institutions

Showcase your project in front of industry
experts and well-known scholars

Gathering outstanding youth from 18 regions worldwide to present original research and
innovative achievements on the world stage.

Participants are spread across 85 cities
in 18 countries and regions, with
innovative ideas reaching far into Africa.

200+

student clubs

Nearly 10,000 high school students from more than 500 high schools participate every year.

Original topics that combine Chinese wisdom and a global perspective
Think big and start small, where innovation and hard work coexist
Complete original projects and build your academic skills

Multiple project teams have submitted their proposals to the local governments and have been considered as part of the official local proposals.

18+

road shows in world-
renowned universities

of participants complete their
first academic paper at CTB

90+

outstanding papers
selected to the CTB
Conference Proceedings

186,483

pages of papers published in

23

professional journals

186,483

pages of papers published in

23

professional journals
Why Join CTB

01

Awards

Certificates from CTB National and Global Conferences

Selected papers featured in CTB Conference Proceedings

National & International Honors recognized by Universities Worldwide

Past CTB Conference Proceedings · 2022–2023

02

Academic
Recognition

The outstanding authors in the CTB Conference Proceedings will receive joint

recommendation letters from the review panel and organizing committee

All outstanding academic achievements are included in the annual CTB digital library

03

Unique
Experiences

Compelling personal stories born out of meaningful innovative research projects

Valuable experience of presenting at the CTB Global Conference at Harvard

Highlights from past CTB conferences

04

Skill
Development

Cultivation of skills aligned with those taught at world-renowned institutions

Comprehensive academic support
Build an original research, innovation or community impact project

AI-enabled academic support · Learn to use AI tools thoughtfully

Three project tracks
Choose the approach that fits your goal

Research Project

Investigate a question and build evidence-based conclusions.

Innovation Project

Design, test and improve a novel product, service or process.

Community Impact Project

Take community action, collect feedback and assess impact.

Well-rounded tutoring from coaches
and CTB student clubs provides prompt support

Community Impact, in Practice

Start with an issue in your community. Plan and carry out action, listen to participants, and document the results.

Set goals → Act → Gather feedback → Evaluate impact

Core Academic Skills Courses

Shared foundations + guidance for your project track

Shared Foundations

  • Team Building
  • Time Management
  • Leadership & Team Collaboration
  • Picking a Topic
  • Financial Management
  • Visual Design
  • Public Speaking & Presentation

Academic Research

  • Literature Review
  • Quantitative Research
  • Qualitative Research
  • Research Paper Writing
  • Research Paper Appendix

Innovation

  • Preliminary Research
  • Design Thinking
  • Marketing & Outreach
  • Innovation Report Writing
  • Innovation Report Appendix

Community Impact

  • Preliminary Research
  • Action & Implementation
  • Marketing & Outreach
  • Community Impact Report Writing
  • Community Impact Report Appendix

Courses are available according to project track and stage.

Comprehensive feedback
on your project tasks and reports

How to Participate

2026–2027 CTB participation timeline: registration, team formation, project completion, National Conference and Harvard Global Conference

*Conference dates are tentative.

Participation Requirements · CTB Senior

Participants must be high school students in grades 9 through 12. There are no age or nationality restrictions. All participants must have parent/guardian permission to participate.

CTB is a bilingual competition with both Chinese and English tracks. Chinese proficiency is NOT a requirement for participation for international teams.

Modules and assignment requirements will be available in both languages and all deliverables can be submitted in either English or Chinese.

CTB is a team challenge and all participants must compete as part of a team. Teams can range from 1-10 members.

The CTB participation fee is RMB 1,490 (USD 220) per participant. This fee covers support provided before the CTB National Conference, including academic guidance resources and associated licensing fees, the CTB website and online guidance tools, and expert review, feedback, and guidance on participants’ project work.

Separate attendance fees apply to the CTB National and Global Conferences. Details will be announced in advance.

CTB Junior (grades 6–8): see the for eligibility, fees and participation details.

Co-create
with AI

Start my CTB journey now

Contact

For any questions or inquiries, please contact the CTB organizing committee at ask@chinathinksbig.com

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