AM Best Is Looking for the Next Generation of Insurance Professionals

AUGUST 17, 2026 10:11 AM (EDT)

AM Best Is Looking for the Next Generation of Insurance Professionals

CONTACTS:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OLDWICK - AUGUST 17, 2026 10:11 AM (EDT)
AM Best's 2027 Student Challenge, which gives undergraduate and graduate-level students the opportunity to develop and showcase innovative solutions for risk management and insurance, is now open for submissions.

The 2027 Student Challenge calls for students to generate ideas in one of three areas: insuring data centers; parametric technology and triggers; and innovative risk transfer solutions.

Participants will be vying for:

• 
  
• First prize of $5,000, second prize of $3,000 and third prize of $2,000
• 
  
• A donation of $5,000 to the school of the first-place team
• 
  
• An interview with insurance industry media network AM Best TV
• 
  
• A feature article in Best's Review magazine
• 
  
• Recognition on AM Best's social media channels
• 
  
• An academic medal and trophy
• 
  

Students can find additional information in AM Best's 2027 Student Challenge Handbook and register online. First-round submissions are due October 9, 2026, with final-round submissions due December 4. Winners will be notified December 14.

Student submissions will be reviewed by professionals in AM Best Rating Services, then narrowed down to three finalists. Submissions will be judged based on degree of innovation, feasibility, impact, implementation and more.

"AM Best's 2027 Student Challenge allows students to gain first-hand experience in insurance and risk management," said Lee McDonald, AM Best senior vice president. "This is an opportunity to bring their ideas to life and present them to industry experts for feedback. Our Challenge provides exposure, resume expansion and a unique avenue towards collaboration with faculty and peers."

McDonald added: "Our company's founder, Alfred M. Best, emphasized the importance of 'the ingenuity with which at all times the new needs of the public have been met.' That's the essence of insurance: using innovation to solve risk challenges as the world shifts. AM Best welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with the rising generation of professionals to apply their ingenuity and lead the insurance industry toward the future."

In addition to the 2027 Student Challenge, AM Best also offers internships and an Analytical Development Program as ongoing initiatives to support the development of new talent in the insurance industry.