This program gives you the chance to experience beyond your own school, town, or country. You’ll engage in rigorous discussions with students from the US and the United Kingdom about the issues that matter to your generation—free speech, democracy, and global challenges. Together, you’ll discuss shared concerns, compare perspectives across two democracies, and strengthen your skills in argumentation, communication, and collaboration. DMTA will help sharpen your thinking, broaden your worldview, and prepare for the intellectual demands of college and beyond.

The DMTA experience includes virtual coaching workshops, a qualifier scrimmage to select the top students, rigorous training with readings and exercises, and a 4-day in-person program in London, UK in November 2026. 

The program is open to public, private, charter, or homeschool students currently in grade 9-11 who are age 14 years or older by November 1, 2026, and eligible for travel to the United Kingdom in November of 2026.  

Application process:

• US Virtual Qualifier Scrimmage here 
• Attend virtual coaching sessions.
• Participate in the Virtual Qualifier (March) 
• Get formally accepted to DMTA  

• The sessions are 60-75 minute virtual workshops, where students participate in topic discussions and mock debates to strengthen their skills, receive thoughtful feedback, and build their strategy for the scrimmage. 
• Sessions 1 and 2 are all about the basics—students will understand the topic, debate format, and exercise their skills in a low-stakes setting. 
• Sessions 3 and 4 expand on the first two sessions, giving students the opportunity to apply what they learned and finalize their strategy for the scrimmage. 

• The coaching sessions are very strongly recommended, as they increase students’ chances of getting selected because they A) can demonstrate their skills and passion in a way that they may not be able to at the scrimmage and B) receive high level coaching from BRI staff. We stress that every student should attend as many sessions as possible. 
• The Qualifier scrimmage in March is required for every student—this is where students will be judged on their debate skills and sportsmanship. 

Even without attending the coaching sessions, you can still compete in the qualifier to join us in London.  These workshops are scheduled to maximize attendance for those that have scheduling conflicts and accommodate various time zones. If you cannot attend any of the sessions, we will share prep materials and resources. 

DMTA London will use Debating Matters’ unique 2 v. 2 format that includes 

• A chairperson to objectively moderate the debate 
• Three judges that ask debaters questions and provide quality feedback 
• Two teams to present arguments and research  
• An audience to direct challenging questions to the debaters  

The US Qualifier scrimmage will use the same format, just slightly modified. First, rather than competing in teams of two, students will represent themselves individually. Second, students will not field questions from an audience—just the judges and each other. 

Learn more about Debating Matters' debate format. 

BRI believes in making resources as accessible as possible, which is why we will strive to keep personal financial commitment minimal. Thanks to our donors, students selected to go to DMTA London will receive an $800 airfare scholarship, and all lodging and food will be provided during the London program. If needed, additional travel funds may be available. Contact Keinah Fort if you have additional questions.