John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize - Politics
$10,000 Scholarship
An international essay competition for high school students, inviting them to write a persuasive essay on complex topics in politics.
Mode
Online
Fee
Free
Participation format
Individual
Duration
Approximately 1 month.
Time needed
Depends on individual research and writing time
Eligibility
Open to students worldwide, aged 18 or younger. Participants must submit an original essay demonstrating strong academic understanding, critical thinking, and persuasive writing. An academic referee's email is required for all entries.
- Age range
- 6 to 18 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- No specific academic prerequisites are required, but a strong command of the subject and excellent writing skills are expected.
- Prerequisites
- Must be a student from any country.
- A strong command of the English language is essential.
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 each subject category receives a $5,000 scholarship. Second and third place winners receive scholarships worth $2,000 and $1,000 respectively. All scholarships are towards the cost of attending John Locke Institute programmes.
Certificate
eCertificate of Recognition
eCertificates are provided to all shortlisted candidates and prize winners, with signed certificates for prize winners.
Opens doors to
Provides an advantage in applications to top global universities by showcasing exceptional intellectual abilities.
Recognition
International 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
- 1Registration is required online by the deadline. Essays must be submitted as a PDF file with a specific filename format. An email address for an academic referee must be provided during registration.
Rules and guidelines
- Each essay must address only one question from the chosen subject category.
- Essays must not exceed 2000 words, excluding diagrams, tables, endnotes, bibliography, or authorship declaration.
- Essays must be the original work of a single individual and free from AI-generated content.
- The contestant's name should not appear anywhere within the essay document itself.
- Essays with incorrect filename format will be rejected.
- Footnotes are not permitted; however, endnotes and/or a clearly titled bibliography are allowed.
Technology requirements
- Reliable internet access for online registration and essay submission.
- Computer or laptop with word processing software for essay writing.
- Ability to convert the final essay into PDF format.
About this opportunity
The John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize is a prestigious international essay competition designed to cultivate independent thought, critical analysis, and persuasive writing skills in young people. Participants explore challenging questions across various academic subjects, including politics, beyond their standard school curriculum. This competition offers a unique platform for students to engage with complex ideas and develop their intellectual capacities.
This opportunity is open to students from any country, aged 18 or younger for the Senior Prize and 14 or younger for the Junior Prize. Entrants demonstrate deep understanding, evidence-based argumentation, and clear articulation. Winners receive significant scholarships for John Locke Institute programs, including a US$10,000 Grand Prize, eCertificates, and an exclusive awards dinner in London.
Rounds and format
Single submission round.
How entries are judged
Essays are judged on knowledge and understanding of the relevant material, competent use of evidence, quality of argumentation, originality, structure, writing style, and persuasive force. The best essays are capable of changing a reader's mind.
Selection process
Selection is based on the quality of the submitted essay, evaluated against criteria such as originality, depth of knowledge, logical reasoning, and persuasive writing.
How to prepare
- The John Locke Institute publishes winning essays from previous years on its website, which serve as excellent examples.
Academic details
Difficulty: Advanced
What's covered
The competition questions are designed to be outside the standard school curriculum, encouraging independent research and thought.
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