TED Global Idea Search 2021 is now open

TED Global Idea Search 2021 is now open

Applicants are required to create a 2-minute video as a part of their submission. The deadline for this round of submissions is January, 21, 2021 (11:59pm EST).

If selected for round 2, you’ll be invited to a virtual event where you’ll talk more about your idea and participate in a Q&A with members of the TED community.

Winners will be invited to give a TED Talk, either virtually or in person.

Your “idea worth spreading”

We’re looking for ideas worth spreading — that’s our mission! So… What does that mean? We’re looking for ideas that are new, unique, and can offer an insight or a new way of thinking to a very large audience.

A TED Talk usually has a topic and an idea.

A topic is the high level — the general direction you want to take the talk.
Topic example: We need to fix the opioid crisis

An idea is a specific angle that stems from the topic — a unique message, solution, or insight that only you can share.

Idea example: In the opioid crisis, here’s what it takes to save a life

More examples of topics and ideas:

• Topic: Africa lacks access to basic energy sources
  • Idea: The energy Africa needs to develop — and fight climate change
• Topic: Paleontology is important
  • Idea: Hunting for dinosaurs showed me our place in the universe
• Topic: We need more organ donors
  • Idea: How to create a world where no one dies waiting for a transplant

Questions to ask yourself about your idea

To us, an idea worth spreading can mean several things. Before you submit your application, check your idea against this list — does it check a few of these boxes?

• Does your idea worth spreading offer the audience a unique insight?
• Will your audience learn something brand new? Something they’ve never heard before?
• Will your audience learn about a new solution to a problem?
• TED is not a platform for product pitches. Do you feel confident that your idea is not a product pitch?
• Did you check our massive library? Are you sure we don’t already have a talk about your idea?

What to avoid

Only in rare circumstances do we invite people to speak about a very personal experience or a personal philosophy. Here are some examples of ideas that we would likely not consider:

• How I learned to speak my truth and be my authentic self.
• How to conquer your fears and achieve your dreams.
• Find your passion through unleashing your creativity.
• I had a rare experience and it taught me to face my fear.
• Find happiness using the L.U.V. method: Light, Universe, Vulnerability.
• I traveled to India and it changed my perspective on the stock market, even though I’m not a banker.