The Laidley Centre for Business Ethics and Equity is pleased to announce its 2026 Business Ethics Case Competition. The competition will be held at McGill University on March 27, 2026. On March 26, the participating teams will be welcomed with a roundtable panel and a networking reception in the evening.
The main objectives of the competition are:
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To increase students’ awareness of the importance of ethical decisions in business.
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To expose students to real-world scenarios that they may encounter in their future careers.
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Provide students with the opportunity to enhance their critical thinking and presentation skills related to business ethics.
Eligibility
The McGill Desautels Business Ethics Case Competition is open to all current undergraduate students who are registered at an accredited university in North America. Students from all academic disciplines are welcome to participate. Each team should consist of four current undergraduate students from the same university. As the case will encompass multiple disciplines in management and ethics, we strongly encourage teams to include students from diverse academic backgrounds.
Registration Details
There is a $500 registration fee for each team.
This registration fee provides refreshments at the Thursday evening pre-case reception, as well as breakfast and lunch during the case on Friday. Teams will be responsible for all transportation costs to and from Montreal, local accommodation in Montreal, and all meals apart from those provided with the registration fee. McGill University has negotiated rates with a range of hotels in the area, which will be shared with registered teams.
Registration is on a first come, first served basis until slots are filled. The deadline to register is September 30, 2025.
Prizes
$5000 for first place
$2500 for second place
$1000 for third place
Additional Information
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Each team should consist of 4 students from the same university. Teams with fewer than 4 students will not be allowed to compete.
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All applications will be vetted, and universities may apply to enter a maximum of two teams. Participation of the second team will be confirmed once the application process closes.
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Technical knowledge of sustainability, equity, and ethics is not required.
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The case will be made available on the morning of Friday, March 27, 2026. The case will be released to the participating teams in a staggered manner, which will be decided by a random draw in the late afternoon of Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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Each team will have exactly five hours (from their start time) to work on the case and prepare their presentation.
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The presentation will be 12–15 minutes long followed by an 8–10-minute Q&A.
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The top teams will proceed to the final round, which will be held on the same day: Friday, March 27, 2025.
Organizing Committee
Lindsay Holmgren, Director of the Laidley Centre for Ethics and Equity & Associate Professor in Strategy and Organization at Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University.
nikita.bostonfisher [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Accounting%20Ethics%20Case%20Competition%20) (Nikita Boston-Fisher), Associate Director of the Laidley Centre for Ethics and Equity.
Preetika Joshi, Assistant Professor of Accounting at Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University.
Contact Information
If you have any questions about the Desautels Accounting Ethics Case Competition, please contact Preetika Joshi with cc to: laidleycentre [at] mcgill.ca
