2026
TIMELINE AND GUIDELINES

5 Regions • 200 Regional Finalists • 12 Global Winners
The competition runs across two rounds – from Regional Qualifiers to the Global Finals – spanning February to March 2026.

read more about the competition

Key DATES

All deadlines are 23:59 (GMT+0) on dates specified below.

A timeline graphic with key dates and events related to an essay competition. The timeline features icons of a clock, envelope, megaphone, and a trophy, with dates ranging from October 1st to March 31st and corresponding event descriptions.
A timeline graphic with key dates and events related to an essay competition. The timeline features icons of a clock, envelope, megaphone, and a trophy, with dates ranging from October 1st to March 31st and corresponding event descriptions.
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Regional QUALIFIERS

  1. Submit a 500-word essay in response to your chosen prompt.

  2. Choose from four tracks: creative, argumentative, journalistic or topical.

  3. Submit as a Word Document via the submission link that will be provided to registrants.

  4. All participants will be invited to exclusive bootcamps hosted by top professionals and professors.

  5. Top 40 essays per region (10 per track) will advance to the Global Finals.

Global FINALS

  1. Finalists will refine and expand their regional submission.

  2. Finalists with have 9 days to submit a new version in the same Word doc format

  3. 200 total global finalists will compete.

  4. Top 12 essays (3 per category) will be crowned global winners.

  5. Global winners receive publication, prizes, mentorship and international recognition.

SUBMISSION
guidelines

The following guidelines cover the general rules on submissions, which are relevant to the regional and global rounds. More detailed guidelines will be sent to each participant’s registered email.

GENERAL

  • Open to students aged 13-18 worldwide

  • Essays must be written in English

  • Each participant may submit one entry only

  • Choose one prompt from one category

  • Must respond to an official prompt from one of four categories:

    • Creative

    • Argumentative

    • Journalistic

    • Topical

  • Max 500 words (excluding citations, title and student name)

  • Submission must be in Word document format (.doc) – Google Docs or Drive links will not be accepted

  • Use Times New Roman size 11 with 1.5 spacing

  • All submissions must be original work – entries will be screened for plagiarism and AI use

FIRST PAGE REQUIREMENTS

The first page of your submission must have the following information:

  • Full name

  • Essay category (creative, argumentative, or journalistic)

  • Chosen prompt

  • The competition region you’re from

    • North America

    • LATAM

    • APAC (includes East Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania)

    • Middle East, Africa, Russia

    • Europe and Central Asia

View an example here

NAMING DIRECTIONS

Please follow these guidelines when naming your submission document:

  • Start with the number of your chosen prompt (1, 2 or 3) as listed in the submission form

  • Add ‘_creative’, ‘_argumentative’ or ‘journalistic’ based on your selected essay category

  • End with your surname

For example, if Jane Doe selects prompt 2 in the creative category, the file name should be: ‘2_Creative_Doe’

View an example here

register to compete

Tips FOR SUCCESS

While competition formats may differ, the key is for students
to develop, explore and demonstrate writing skills in an exciting way.

  • Checkmark in pink circle

    Craft a strong hook and clear structure

  • Checkmark in pink circle

    Be original, bold and authentic

  • Checkmark in pink circle

    Review the rubric before submitting

  • Checkmark in pink circle

    Use bootcamp learnings to refine your piece

explore last winning essays

Writing RESOURCES

We’ve put together some guidelines for building yWe’ve put together some guidelines for building your essay.our essay.

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WRITING RESOURCES

Creative
Essay

View files
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WRITING RESOURCES

Argumentative
Essay

View files
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WRITING RESOURCES

Journalistic
Essay

View files
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WRITING RESOURCES

Topical
Essay

View files

Individualised
FEEDBACK

We offer an option service where experts provide a 250 word assessment of your essay highlighting your strengths and weaknesses. If you’re interested in this service, you can opt in for it when submitting your regional qualifier essay.