John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize - Economics
$10,000 Grand Prize
A prestigious international essay competition for students up to age 18 to develop critical thinking and persuasive writing skills in Economics.
Mode
Online
Fee
Free
Participation format
Individual
Duration
Participants work independently for approximately 3 months between question release and submission deadline.
Time needed
Depends on individual research and writing time
Eligibility
Open to students of any nationality. Senior Prize: Ages 6-18 by the submission deadline. All essays must be original, written in English, and submitted individually. An academic referee is required to verify the originality of the work.
- Age range
- 6 to 18 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- Open to students from any school or curriculum background. Essays must be written in English and represent the student's own original work.
- Prerequisites
- A strong interest in Economics.
- Ability to write a well-structured and analytical essay in English.
- Independent research and critical thinking skills.
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
$10,000
The best essay overall wins a Grand Prize scholarship of $10,000. The winner in the Economics category receives a $5,000 scholarship, with $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for third. These scholarships are towards John Locke Institute programmes.
Certificate
Certificate of Commendation
All shortlisted candidates receive a downloadable e-certificate to acknowledge their achievement.
Opens doors to
Winning or being shortlisted is a prestigious achievement recognized by top universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Ivy League institutions, significantly strengthening applications.
Recognition
International academic recognition
Skills your child builds
Key dates
Last edition
- Registration opened
- 2 Feb 2026
- Registration closed
- 31 Mar 2026
- Competition
- 1 Apr 2026 to 31 May 2026
- Results
- 3 Oct 2026
How to apply
- 1Register on the John Locke Institute website before the registration deadline.
- 2Choose one essay question from the Economics category.
- 3Write an essay of no more than 2000 words.
- 4Submit the essay in PDF format through the official online portal before the submission deadline.
Rules and guidelines
- Each candidate may submit only one essay per subject category.
- The essay must not exceed 2000 words, excluding bibliography, endnotes, and diagrams.
- Plagiarism, use of AI for writing, and other forms of academic dishonesty will lead to disqualification.
- Submissions must be in PDF format.
Technology requirements
- A computer with internet access for research and submission.
- PDF creation software to format the final essay.
About this opportunity
The John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize is a renowned international competition designed to cultivate independent thought, deep knowledge, and persuasive writing. It challenges students to tackle complex economic questions that extend beyond the typical school curriculum, fostering skills that distinguish exceptional writers and thinkers on a global stage.
This competition is open to students worldwide who are eighteen years old or younger. It features a Senior Prize for ages fifteen to eighteen and a Junior Prize for those fourteen and under. Participation offers a unique opportunity to have your work evaluated by senior academics from world-class universities like Oxford and Princeton.
Rounds and format
Single submission round.
How entries are judged
Essays are judged on knowledge and understanding of the relevant material, the competent use of evidence, quality of argumentation, originality, structure, writing style and persuasive force. The best essays are those capable of changing someone's mind.
Selection process
A panel of senior academics from leading universities, including Oxford and Princeton, shortlists and selects the winning essays based on the judging criteria. Candidates may be asked to discuss their entry with a faculty member.
Academic details
Difficulty: Advanced
What's covered
The competition is not based on a specific curriculum but requires a deep engagement with economical concepts and the ability to conduct independent research.
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