The 2024-25 contest
Founded in 2001, the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) is the only contest that gives high school students around the globe the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy. Jointly administered by the Brewer Foundation and New York University (NYU), this program is available to all high school students for free.
​
QUALIFYING ROUND
​
The competition begins in October, as teams submit a qualifying round essay on the IPPF topic, "Resolved: Equitable access to pharmaceuticals should be prioritized over protecting intellectual property rights." The essay should be no more than 3,000 words, either affirming or negating the topic resolution. Essays must be submitted to ippf@brewerfoundation.com by October 22, 2024. Judges evaluate each essay, and the top 64 teams advance into a single-elimination, written debate competition.
​
WRITTEN ROUNDS
​
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.)
​
IPPF ORAL DEBATE FINALS
​
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, May 2, 2025. 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!
