essay economics competitions

Harvard International Economics

Essay contest (hieec).

HIEEC provides students the opportunity to demonstrate an accomplished level of writing and understanding of economic theory. Through the contest, students hone their academic and professional skills and exhibit their knowledge. 

HIEE C 202 3 -2024

Hieec 2023-2024 is now closed. .

The 2023-2024  Harvard International Economics Essay Contest is sponsored by the Harvard Undergraduate Economics Association (HUEA). This essay competition is open to high school studen ts of any year and is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrat e an accom plished level of writing and understanding of economic the ory. T hrough the contest, student competitors hone their academic and professional skills and exhibit their knowledge to future employers and academic programs. 

Competitors must construct a convincing argument using economic theory and real-world examples. Winning essays will be published on our website  and will be available for the greater Harvard community to read. Essays should focus on argumentation supported with facts and references, although data-based support is also welcome.

Yiheng Lyu​

Audrey Ku k​

Hyoungjin Jin

Juyoung Chun

Kevin Zhang

Matthew Choi

Mikayil Sadikhov

Raunak Agarwal

Vallabh Himakunthala

Highly Commended

Aronima Biswas

Aryan Nangia

Kridaya Gupta

Leonardo Jia

Rohan Mathur

Anagha Chakravarti

Amberlynn Gong

Neha Shanavas

Donghyeon Oh

2023-2024  Essay Questions

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to affect growth, inequality, productivity, innovation, and employment. OpenAI’s ChatGPT, in particular, has greatly increased public awareness about the significance of AI and its implications for the future. What impact will the development of AI have on economic inequality, the composition of the workforce, and economic output as a whole? How can nations prepare for the micro and macroeconomic changes brought about by AI?

Measuring national and global economic activity allows us to understand how economies change in size and structure—how they grow and contract. In addition to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), government budgets, and the money supply, alternatives like the Human Development Index (HDI) and Gross National Income (GNI) are used to assess economic progress. What are the advantages of our current economic indices, including GDP, HDI, GNI, government budgets, and the money supply, and in what areas are they lacking? Which of these indices do you find most helpful, and how can we enhance or combine them to improve our understanding of economic measurement?

Proponents of income redistribution support the idea that redistribution policies will increase economic stability and give more opportunities to the less wealthy. Others, however, are more skeptical and believe it could have negative consequences for economic growth. Current methods of redistribution include taxation, welfare, public services, and other monetary policies. What strategies for income redistribution should the U.S. adopt from other countries? What economic impacts could a wealth tax or super millionaire tax have? What type of redistribution is most effective and feasible? What would be the impacts of the U.S. enacting universal basic income? Discuss the implications of any of these issues and feel free to expand on other areas of economic redistribution.

As the United States weighs the impacts of China’s rise to global prominence, economics and national security have become increasingly intertwined. As a result, the United States government has imposed both tariffs and investment restrictions on China to limit the nation’s access to both US markets and intellectual property (specifically in sensitive industries such as semiconductors). What are the economic implications of these policies for United States firms, consumers, and workers? Discuss the most important perspectives of the US-China trade war and provide suggestions on how both countries can manage the prospect of a changing economic order.

2nd November 2023 – Essay titles released

11:59pm EST 5th January 2024  – Essay submission deadline

Late February 2024*  – Highly Commended and Finalists notified

Early March 2024 * – Winners notified, results published on the website

*We received a high volume of submissions, therefore we anticipate  that it will take us a couple m ore w eeks to release the results. 

Entrants must choose one of the four prompts and write a response to it with a strict limit of 1500 words. Submission must be via the HUEA website and entrants are limited to submitting one essay with only the first submission being considered. Each essay submission will have a $20 reading fee which should be paid upon submission of the essay. If this fee will impose a significant financial burden on your family, please email us. The deadline for submitting the essay is 11:59pm EST January 5th, 2024. ​

Please submit essay submissions via this form.

If the above link does not work, use:  https://forms.gle/9NVDu9WVbU71iPpq6

*Be sure to read all the details in the submission form carefully before submitting, as failure to complete any of the steps correctly may result in your submission not being considered.

The essays will be judged by the board of the HUEA, with the top 10 submissions being adjudicated by the esteemed Harvard professor and 2016 Economics Nobel Prize winner Oliver Hart.

The top three winning essays will be published ( with the author’s permission) on our website. A finalist s list of the top  submissions will be published online and adjudicated by 2016 Economics Nobel Prize Winner Oliver Hart. A list of names that will receive the "Highly Commended" distinction will also be published online​. The judges' decisions are final.

Terms and Conditions

The word limit of 1500 must be strictly adhered to. Any words past the limit will be truncated. This limit excludes references, footnotes, titles, headers and footers.

Essays must be written only by the entrant. Any outside assistance must be declared in the beginning or end of the essay.

Only your first submission will be accepted. Any further submissions will not be read.

References must be included, and any plagiarism will lead to disqualification.

References must be in Chicago or APA format. 

The only accepted document formatting is PDF. Any other format will not be accepted, nor will refunds be given to those who do not follow this rule.

No refunds are granted.

Grades 9-12 are permitted.

The essay must not be entered in any other competition nor be published elsewhere.

No individual feedback of essays will be granted.

The decisions made by HUEA by the final round of adjudication are final.

All winners agree to their names being published on the HUEA website.

Past Winners

2022  prompts an d winners.

In recent years and decades, many countries have seen fertility rates drop, potentially leading to falling populations. Currently, China has a fertility rate of 1.3, one of the lowest in the world. However, in 2021, China experienced GDP growth of 8% with output totaling $17.7 trillion. Will this lowered fertility rate (with potential to fall further) affect China’s economic growth and policy? How so? What, if anything, can the Chinese government do to limit the risk of falling fertility rates?

U.S. mortgage rates recently passed 7%, making the purchase of a new home increasingly unaffordable. Meanwhile, the United States has suffered from a chronic shortage of available housing for decades, particularly in urban areas, leading to what many scholars and advocates call an affordability crisis. Why is housing so unaffordable in the U.S.? What can (or should) be done by private actors, state and local governments, and the federal government to alleviate the affordability crisis?

It is often suggested that a tradeoff exists between economic growth and the health of the environment, especially now as the threat of climate change becomes more dire. What economic risks does a changing climate pose? Can economic growth be consistent with a healthy environment? What policies, either market-based or otherwise, should governments enact to protect the environment while posing the least danger to economic efficiency? 

Central banks such as the Federal Reserve in the U.S. and the Bank of England in the UK manage their nation’s macroeconomies with the goal of ensuring price stability and maximum employment. Globally, inflation rates are rising to levels not seen since the 1980s, particularly in the U.S. and European countries. To what extent should the monetary policies of central banks in various Western countries differ or resemble one another as a reaction to the specific causes of inflation facing their economies?

​ Click below to view each winner's essay

Ashwin t elang  *   nanxi jiang   *   duncan wong, 2019 wi n ner.

https://www.economicsreview.org/post/when-is-one-choice-one-t oo-many

2020 Winners

https://www.economicsreview.org/post/covid-19-and-the-market

https://www.economicsreview.org/post/automation-and-jobs-this-time-is-different

https://www.economicsreview.org/post/making-rational-decisions

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Harker Oeconomia

Harvard international economics essay competition, description.

The 2023 Harvard International Economics Essay Contest is sponsored by the Harvard Undergraduate Economics Association (HUEA) in conjunction with the Harvard College Economics Review (HCER). This essay competition is open to high school students of any year and is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate an accomplished level of writing and understanding of economic theory. Through the contest, student competitors hone their academic and professional skills and exhibit their knowledge to future employers and academic programs.  Competitors must construct a convincing argument using economic theory and real-world examples.  Winning essays will be published in the Harvard Economics Review and will be available for the greater Harvard community to read. Essays should focus on argumentation supported with facts and references, although data-based support is also welcome.

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Young Economist of the Year competition sponsored by KPMG

The 2024 Young Economist of the Year competition is held by  Discover Economics , sponsored by KPMG and the Financial Times. To find out more and enter your submission, click here .

The Young Economics of the Year Competition is our annual student-based competition, to encourage students to think about current economic issues and promote the study of economic science.

The competition aims at encouraging Year 10 – Year 13 students (in England and Wales, or equivalent in Scotland and Northern Ireland) to produce their own ideas in analysing contemporary economic problems facing the UK and the world.

Stay tuned to find out more about the 2024 competition, and sign up to the Discover Economics newsletter here !

More information below.

Previous winners

Royal Economic Society announces Young Economist of the Year

Winners of the Young Economist of the Year competition 2022

Winners of the Young Economist of the Year 2021

Winners of the Young Economist of the Year 2020

Young economist news.

Discover Economics launches 2024 Young Economist of the Year Competition

Winner of Young Economist of the Year 2022 competition: cryptocurrency

Winner of Young Economist of the Year 2022 competition: cost of living crisis

Winner of Young Economist of the Year 2022 competition: value of education

Greater Lincolnshire: A Plan for Economic Development – overall winner of Young Economist of the Year 2022 competition

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office launches Next Generation Economics Competition

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YES Essay Contest

The winners of the 2022 Young Economists' Society Essay Contest.

Winner : Hin Tak Ben Law - Eton College, United Kingdom

Special mention : Nori Law - King George V School, Hong Kong

Special mention : Eva Solway - Kellett School, Hong Kong

Essay title : Inflation in the United Kingdom rose to its highest level in almost 30 years in January 2022. Discuss the economic effects of such high rates of inflation.

Feedback from the judges:

Essays were well written with insightful analysis of the effects of high inflation in the UK. In most essays a range of reliable sources were used to support this analysis. In the best essays there was clear and nuanced evaluation of the effects of high inflation. To improve, some answers would benefit from:

Focusing on the question - the effects of inflation not why inflation is occurring.

Expanding a point fully before moving on to the next point.

Using reliable sources to support all points.

Evaluating points rather than focusing on only the positives and negatives.

Essay  COMPETITION

2024 global essay prize, the short list for the 2024 global essay prize was released on wednesday, 31 july..

The John Locke Institute encourages young people to cultivate the characteristics that turn good students into great writers: independent thought, depth of knowledge, clear reasoning, critical analysis and persuasive style. Our Essay Competition invites students to explore a wide range of challenging and interesting questions beyond the confines of the school curriculum.

Entering an essay in our competition can build knowledge, and refine skills of argumentation. It also gives students the chance to have their work assessed by experts. All of our essay prizes are judged by a panel of senior academics drawn from leading universities including Oxford and Princeton, under the leadership of the Chairman of Examiners, former Cambridge philosopher, Dr Jamie Whyte.

The judges will choose their favourite essay from each of seven subject categories - Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology and Law - and then select the winner of the Grand Prize for the best entry in any subject. There is also a separate prize awarded for the best essay in the junior category, for under 15s.

Q1. Do we have any good reasons to trust our moral intuition?

Q2. Do girls have a (moral) right to compete in sporting contests that exclude boys?

Q3. Should I be held responsible for what I believe?

Q1. Is there such a thing as too much democracy?

Q2. Is peace in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip possible?

Q3. When is compliance complicity?

Q1. What is the optimal global population?  

Q2. Accurate news reporting is a public good. Does it follow that news agencies should be funded from taxation?

Q3. Do successful business people benefit others when making their money, when spending it, both, or neither?

Q1. Why was sustained economic growth so rare before the later 18th century and why did this change?

Q2. Has music ever significantly changed the course of history?

Q3. Why do civilisations collapse? Is our civilisation in danger?

Q1. When, if ever, should a company be permitted to refuse to do business with a person because of that person’s public statements?

Q2. In the last five years British police have arrested several thousand people for things they posted on social media. Is the UK becoming a police state?

Q3. Your parents say that 11pm is your bedtime. But they don’t punish you if you don’t go to bed by 11pm. Is 11pm really your bedtime?

Q1. According to a study by researchers at four British universities, for each 15-point increase in IQ, the likelihood of getting married increases by around 35% for a man but decreases by around 58% for a woman. Why?

In the original version of this question we misstated a statistic. This was caused by reproducing an error that appeared in several media summaries of the study. We are grateful to one of our contestants, Xinyi Zhang, who helped us to see (with humility and courtesy) why we should take more care to check our sources. We corrected the text on 4 April. Happily, the correction does not in any way alter the thrust of the question.

Q2. There is an unprecedented epidemic of depression and anxiety among young people. Can we fix this? How?

Q3. What is the difference between a psychiatric illness and a character flaw?

Q1. “I am not religious, but I am spiritual.” What could the speaker mean by “spiritual”?

Q2. Is it reasonable to thank God for protection from some natural harm if He is responsible for causing the harm?

Q3. Does God reward those who believe in him? If so, why?

JUNIOR prize

Q1. Does winning a free and fair election automatically confer a mandate for governing?

Q2. Has the anti-racism movement reduced racism?

Q3. Is there life after death?

Q4. How did it happen that governments came to own and run most high schools, while leaving food production to private enterprise? 

Q5. When will advancing technology make most of us unemployable? What should we do about this?

Q6. Should we trust fourteen-year-olds to make decisions about their own bodies? 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS & FURTHER DETAILS

Please read the following carefully.

Entry to the John Locke Institute Essay Competition 2024 is open to students from any country.

Registration  

Only candidates who registered before the registration deadline of Friday, 31 May 2024 may enter this year's competition.

All entries must be submitted by 11.59 pm BST on  the submission deadline: Sunday, 30 June 2024 .  Candidates must be eighteen years old, or younger, on that date. (Candidates for the Junior Prize must be fourteen years old, or younger, on that date.)

Entry is free.

Each essay must address only one of the questions in your chosen subject category, and must not exceed 2000 words (not counting diagrams, tables of data, endnotes, bibliography or authorship declaration). 

The filename of your pdf must be in this format: FirstName-LastName-Category-QuestionNumber.pdf; so, for instance, Alexander Popham would submit his answer to question 2 in the Psychology category with the following file name:

Alexander-Popham-Psychology-2.pdf

Essays with filenames which are not in this format will be rejected.

The candidate's name should NOT appear within the document itself. 

Candidates should NOT add footnotes. They may, however, add endnotes and/or a Bibliography that is clearly titled as such.

Each candidate will be required to provide the email address of an academic referee who is familiar with the candidate's written academic work. This should be a school teacher, if possible, or another responsible adult who is not a relation of the candidate. The John Locke Institute will email referees to verify that the essays submitted are indeed the original work of the candidates.

Submissions may be made as soon as registration opens in April. We recommend that you submit your essay well in advance of the deadline to avoid any last-minute complications.  To submit your essay, click here .  

Acceptance of your essay depends on your granting us permission to use your data for the purposes of receiving and processing your entry as well as communicating with you about the Awards Ceremony Dinner, the academic conference, and other events and programmes of the John Locke Institute and its associated entities.  

Late entries

If for any reason you miss the 30 June deadline you will have an opportunity to make a late entry, under two conditions:

a) A late entry fee of 20.00 USD must be paid by credit card within twenty-four hours of the original deadline; and

b) Your essay must be submitted  before 11.59 pm BST on Wednesday, 10 July 2024.

To pay for late entry, a registrant need only log into his or her account, select the relevant option and provide the requested payment information.

Our grading system is proprietary. Essayists may be asked to discuss their entry with a member of the John Locke Institute’s faculty. We use various means to identify plagiarism, contract cheating, the use of AI and other forms of fraud . Our determinations in all such matters are final.

Essays will be 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 very best essays are likely to be those which would be capable of changing somebody's mind. Essays which ignore or fail to address the strongest objections and counter-arguments are unlikely to be successful .

Candidates are advised to answer the question as precisely and directly as possible.

The writers of the best essays will receive a commendation and be shortlisted for a prize. Writers of shortlisted essays will be notified by 11.59 pm BST on Wednesday, 31 July. They will also be invited to London for an invitation-only academic conference and awards dinner in September, where the prize-winners will be announced. Unlike the competition itself, the academic conference and awards dinner are not free. Please be aware that n obody is required to attend either the academic conference or the prize ceremony. You can win a prize without travelling to London.

All short-listed candidates, including prize-winners, will be able to download eCertificates that acknowledge their achievement. If you win First, Second or Third Prize, and you travel to London for the ceremony, you will receive a signed certificate. 

There is a prize for the best essay in each category. The prize for each winner of a subject category, and the winner of the Junior category, is a scholarship worth US$2000 towards the cost of attending any John Locke Institute programme, and the essays will be published on the Institute's website. Prize-giving ceremonies will take place in London, at which winners and runners-up will be able to meet some of the judges and other faculty members of the John Locke Institute. Family, friends, and teachers are also welcome.

The candidate who submits the best essay overall will be awarded an honorary John Locke Institute Junior Fellowship, which comes with a US$10,000 scholarship to attend one or more of our summer schools and/or visiting scholars programmes. 

The judges' decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

R egistration opens: 1 April, 2024.

Registration deadline: 31 May, 2024. (Registration is required by this date for subsequent submission.)

Submission deadline: 30 June, 2024.

Late entry deadline: 10 July, 2024. (Late entries are subject to a 20.00 USD charge, payable by 1 July.)

Notification of short-listed essayists: 31 July, 2024.

Academic conference: 20 - 22 September, 2024.

Awards dinner: 21 September, 2024.

Any queries regarding the essay competition should be sent to [email protected] . Please be aware that, due to the large volume of correspondence we receive, we cannot guarantee to answer every query. In particular, regrettably, we are unable to respond to questions whose answers can be found on our website.

If you would like to receive helpful tips  from our examiners about what makes for a winning essay or reminders of upcoming key dates for the 2024  essay competition, please provide your email here to be added to our contact list. .

Thanks for subscribing!

The John Locke Institute's Global Essay Prize is acknowledged as the world's most prestigious essay competition. 

We welcome tens of thousands of submissions from ambitious students in more than 150 countries, and our examiners - including distinguished philosophers, political scientists, economists, historians, psychologists, theologians, and legal scholars - read and carefully assess every entry. 

I encourage you to register for this competition, not only for the hope of winning a prize or commendation, and not only for the chance to join the very best contestants at our academic conference and gala ceremony in London, but equally for the opportunity to engage in the serious scholarly enterprise of researching, reflecting on, writing about, and editing an answer to one of the important and provocative questions in this year's Global Essay Prize. 

We believe that the skills you will acquire in the process will make you a better thinker and a more effective advocate for the ideas that matter most to you.

I hope to see you in September!

Best wishes,

Jamie Whyte, Ph.D. (C ANTAB ) 

Chairman of Examiners

Q. I missed the registration deadline. May I still register or submit an essay?

A. No. Only candidates who registered before 31 May will be able to submit an essay. 

Q. Are footnote s, endnotes, a bibliography or references counted towards the word limit?

A. No. Only the body of the essay is counted. 

Q. Are in-text citations counted towards the word limit? ​

A. If you are using an in-text based referencing format, such as APA, your in-text citations are included in the word limit.

Q. Is it necessary to include foo tnotes or endnotes in an essay? ​

A. You  may not  include footnotes, but you may include in-text citations or endnotes. You should give your sources of any factual claims you make, and you should ackn owledge any other authors on whom you rely.​

Q. I am interested in a question that seems ambiguous. How should I interpret it?

A. You may interpret a question as you deem appropriate, clarifying your interpretation if necessary. Having done so, you must answer the question as directly as possible.

Q. How strict are  the age eligibility criteria?

A. Only students whose nineteenth birthday falls after 30 June 2024 will be eligible for a prize or a commendation. In the case of the Junior category, only students whose fifteenth birthday falls after 30 June 2024 will be eligible for a prize or a commendation. 

Q. May I submit more than one essay?

A. Yes, you may submit as many essays as you please in any or all categories.

Q. If I am eligible to compete in the Junior category, may I also (or instead) compete in another category?

A. Yes, you may.

Q. May I team up with someone else to write an essay?  

A. No. Each submitted essay must be entirely the work of a single individual.

Q. May I use AI, such as ChatGPT or the like, in writing my essay?

A. All essays will be checked for the use of AI. If we find that any content is generated by AI, your essay will be disqualified. We will also ask you, upon submission of your essay, whether you used AI for  any  purpose related to the writing of your essay, and if so, you will be required to provide details. In that case, if, in our judgement, you have not provided full and accurate details of your use of AI, your essay will be disqualified. 

Since any use of AI (that does not result in disqualification) can only negatively affect our assessment of your work relative to that of work that is done without using AI, your safest course of action is simply not to use it at all. If, however, you choose to use it for any purpose, we reserve the right to make relevant judgements on a case-by-case basis and we will not enter into any correspondence. 

Q. May I have someone else edit, or otherwise help me with, my essay?

A. You may of course discuss your essay with others, and it is perfectly acceptable for them to offer general advice and point out errors or weaknesses in your writing or content, leaving you to address them.

However, no part of your essay may be written by anyone else. This means that you must edit your own work and that while a proofreader may point out errors, you as the essayist must be the one to correct them. 

Q. Do I have to attend the awards ceremony to win a prize? ​

A. Nobody is required to attend the prize ceremony. You can win a prize without travelling to London. But if we invite you to London it is because your essay was good enough - in the opinion of the First Round judges - to be at least a contender for First, Second or Third Prize. Normally the Second Round judges will agree that the short-listed essays are worth at least a commendation.

Q. Is there an entry fee?

A. No. There is no charge to enter our global essay competition unless you submit your essay after the normal deadline, in which case there is a fee of 20.00 USD .

Q. Can I receive a certificate for my participation in your essay competition if I wasn't shortlisted? 

A. No. Certificates are awarded only for shortlisted essays. Short-listed contestants who attend the award ceremony in London will receive a paper certificate. If you cannot travel to London, you will be able to download your eCertificate.

Q. Can I receive feedba ck on my essay? 

A. We would love to be able to give individual feedback on essays but, unfortunately, we receive too many entries to be able to comment on particular essays.

Q. The deadline for publishing the names of short-listed essayists has passed but I did not receive an email to tell me whether I was short-listed.

A. Log into your account and check "Shortlist Status" for (each of) your essay(s).

Q. Why isn't the awards ceremony in Oxford this year?

A. Last year, many shortlisted finalists who applied to join our invitation-only academic conference missed the opportunity because of capacity constraints at Oxford's largest venues. This year, the conference will be held in central London and the gala awards dinner will take place in an iconic London ballroom. 

TECHNICAL FAQ s

Q. The system will not accept my essay. I have checked the filename and it has the correct format. What should I do?  

A. You have almost certainly added a space before or after one of your names in your profile. Edit it accordingly and try to submit again.

Q. The profile page shows my birth date to be wrong by a day, even after I edit it. What should I do?

A. Ignore it. The date that you typed has been correctly input to our database. ​ ​

Q. How can I be sure that my registration for the essay competition was successful? Will I receive a confirmation email?

A. You will not receive a confirmation email. Rather, you can at any time log in to the account that you created and see that your registration details are present and correct.

TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR SUBMISSION

If you are unable to submit your essay to the John Locke Institute’s global essay competition, your problem is almost certainly one of the following.

If so, please proceed as indicated.

1) PROBLEM: I receive the ‘registrations are now closed’ message when I enter my email and verification code. SOLUTION. You did not register for the essay competition and create your account. If you think you did, you probably only provided us with your email to receive updates from us about the competition or otherwise. You may not enter the competition this year.

2) PROBLEM I do not receive a login code after I enter my email to enter my account. SOLUTION. Enter your email address again, checking that you do so correctly. If this fails, restart your browser using an incognito window; clear your cache, and try again. Wait for a few minutes for the code. If this still fails, restart your machine and try one more time. If this still fails, send an email to [email protected] with “No verification code – [your name]” in the subject line.

SUBMITTING AN ESSAY

3) PROBLEM: The filename of my essay is in the correct format but it is rejected. SOLUTION: Use “Edit Profile” to check that you did not add a space before or after either of your names. If you did, delete it. Whether you did or did not, try again to submit your essay. If submission fails again, email [email protected] with “Filename format – [your name]” in the subject line.

4) PROBLEM: When trying to view my submitted essay, a .txt file is downloaded – not the .pdf file that I submitted. SOLUTION: Delete the essay. Logout of your account; log back in, and resubmit. If resubmission fails, email [email protected] with “File extension problem – [your name]” in the subject line.

5) PROBLEM: When I try to submit, the submission form just reloads without giving me an error message. SOLUTION. Log out of your account. Open a new browser; clear the cache; log back in, and resubmit. If resubmission fails, email [email protected] with “Submission form problem – [your name]” in the subject line.

6) PROBLEM: I receive an “Unexpected Error” when trying to submit. SOLUTION. Logout of your account; log back in, and resubmit. If this resubmission fails, email [email protected] with “Unexpected error – [your name]” in thesubject line. Your email must tell us e xactly where in the submission process you received this error.

7) PROBLEM: I have a problem with submitting and it is not addressed above on this list. SOLUTION: Restart your machine. Clear your browser’s cache. Try to submit again. If this fails, email [email protected] with “Unlisted problem – [your name]” in the subject line. Your email must tell us exactly the nature of your problem with relevant screen caps.

READ THIS BEFORE YOU EMAIL US.

Do not email us before you have tried the specified solutions to your problem.

Do not email us more than once about a single problem. We will respond to your email within 72 hours. Only if you have not heard from us in that time may you contact us again to ask for an update.

If you email us regarding a problem, you must include relevant screen-shots and information on both your operating system and your browser. You must also declare that you have tried the solutions presented above and had a good connection to the internet when you did so.

If you have tried the relevant solution to your problem outlined above, have emailed us, and are still unable to submit before the 30 June deadline on account of any fault of the John Locke Institute or our systems, please do not worry: we will have a way to accept your essay in that case. However, if there is no fault on our side, we will not accept your essay if it is not submitted on time – whatever your reason: we will not make exceptions for IT issues for which we are not responsible.

We reserve the right to disqualify the entries of essayists who do not follow all provided instructions, including those concerning technical matters.

Student Essay Competition .

The dorian fisher memorial prize 2022.

• A short essay, of roughly 1,200 words, on one of the following questions:
• A 500-word answer to one of the following two questions:
• A 500-word answer to the following question.

The Monetary Policy Essay Prize 2021-22 By the Institute of Economic Affairs, the Institute of International Monetary Research, and the Vinson Centre

“Does inflation matter? And will the current inflation upturn be transitory or not?”

The IEA is an educational charity and free market think tank .

Our mission is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems.

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• Government efficiency, transparency and accountability

FCDO Next Generation Economics 2024 competition

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) invites UK school students to write about big economic challenges by 28 June 2024.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) coordinates the UK’s diplomatic relationships, promotes UK interests abroad, and manages the UK’s overseas development budget.

The Next Generation Economics competition is managed by the FCDO in collaboration with the Hub for Equal Representation ( HER ) at the London School of Economics and Political Science ( LSE ).

Economics is important to our work, whether it is evaluating the sustainability of the UK’s international climate change commitments or analysing the contribution of the UK in reducing global poverty through aid programmes. Economics helps the FCDO make the most of each pound of taxpayer money.

The Next Generation Economics competition

The FCDO invites UK school students to write about the biggest economic challenges facing their generation. The competition is open until 28 June 2024.

to hear your ideas on one of the biggest economic challenges facing your generation. The FCDO represents UK interests across the world, and our economists work on finding and analysing solutions to global challenges

to inspire the next generation of economists. Our competition aims to demonstrate how economics is a vital tool for answering important, urgent policy questions

the next generation of economists to be even more diverse and open-minded than the current generation. We encourage you to enter the competition, whatever your background (and however much you know about economics). Find out more about diversity in the economics profession

Watch the video: FCDO Next Generation Economics Competition

Competition themes

To enter, submit your letter responding to 1 out of these 4 questions: 

2023 Nobel Prize laureate Claudia Goldin states that unequal division of caregiving and household responsibilities play a key role in gender pay gap. What policies could governments implement to increase female participation in the paid economy?  

International efforts to reduce carbon emissions increase demand for clean energy technology and critical minerals. How could material rich developing countries capitalize on the demand for critical minerals to boost growth?  

Climate change plus the impact of global conflict on international supply chains has enhanced risk on food security. What market intervention can governments across the world take to mitigate food security risk?  

According to the UN, 3.3 billion people now live in countries where debt interest payments are greater than expenditure on health or education. What actions could governments globally take to ensure debt does not prevent investment towards development?

Writing tips and links to helpful sources can be found in the ‘Useful information’ section.

Email your completed FCDO Next Generation Economics Entry Template ( ODT , 6.7 KB ) to [email protected] by 11:59pm on 28 June 2024.

We will announce the results on this webpage in July 2024.

Who can enter  

To enter, you must be: 

• at least 14 years old 
• studying in the UK at secondary school level (including sixth form and elective home education or home schooling), or at a British international school 

You do not need to be studying or have studied economics. 

Entering the competition is free.

We will announce the competition results in July 2024. There are several prizes on offer: 

• the winner will receive a cash prize of £500 
• 2 runners up will each receive 250  
• 5 shortlisted entrants will receive £100 each 

The winner will present their essay to Adnan Khan, FCDO Chief Economist . 

The top 8 entrants will be offered a fully-funded visit to the FCDO and the London School of Economics in London. They will also meet with one of the co-directors of the Hub for Equal Representation at the LSE . Fully-funded visits are only available to UK-based entrants. 

We will publish the letters of the winner and runners up on the GOV.UK website and share them across the Government Economic Service .  

The top 25 entrants will each receive an economics book, chosen from a shortlist selected by the FCDO Chief Economist.

How to submit your entry   

Do not include any personal information in the main part of your letter. This allows us to mark entries anonymously and as fairly as possible. You should include this in the covering email instead. 

Your entry should: 

• be formatted as a letter addressed to the  FCDO ’s Chief Economist Adnan Khan  
• be 1,000 words or fewer 
• clearly reference any evidence included. We recommend using the  Harvard referencing style . References are not included in the word count 
• not use applications such as ChatGPT or other forms of artificial intelligence (AI) 

Entries can include graphs and graphics, but these are not essential. 

You can ask an economics teacher for advice on the themes they plan to cover, economic concepts, recommended sources and writing styles.  

Find more information about  writing like an economist and where to find useful sources .

The FCDO Next Generation Economics Entry Template ( ODT , 6.7 KB ) includes a table at the top with information including your name, age and school. Fill this in, remove it from the template and include it in your email to us.  

How to do this: 

1. Fill in the entry template

2. Select and cut completed template

3. Create email

4. Paste completed template into to email

5. Attach entry and email it to [email protected]

Download the FCDO Next Generation Economics Entry Template ( ODT , 6.7 KB )

If you don’t have an email account 

If you do not have access to email, you can post your letter. Send it this address, and include the information from the table at the top of the template on a separate sheet of paper:  

Next Generation Economics Competition Team Room KG.18 Economics Directorate   Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office   King Charles Street   London   SW1A 2AH

How we mark entries 

A panel of FCDO economic advisors will read and mark your entry and agree a final shortlist of letters. The FCDO Chief Economist and co-directors of the Hub for Equal Representation at the LSE will review the shortlist and choose the winner and runners up.

The panel will consider these points when marking your entry:

Creativity  

All the competition questions address big economic challenges and have many possible answers. You should think about these questions with an open mind, and present, using evidence, your own ideas.

Economic concepts 

A great entry will use economic concepts to support the arguments it makes.

Using evidence 

Judges will be looking for effective use of evidence. Make sure you present your evidence clearly and explain the source.

Clear and concise writing 

You should structure your argument carefully to make every word count. Write clearly, concisely, and persuasively.

Useful information

To get inspiration, you can read the winning letters from last year’s competition .

These features will make your essay stand out, and are what we will look for when marking essays:

tell a story: create an engaging and convincing narrative, include an introduction and conclusion 

focus on economic analysis: discuss economic concepts that are relevant to the question 

focus on policy solutions: provide answers and solutions to the economic challenges of the question 

use evidence: use real world examples such as recent policy responses to support your arguments 

use visuals: use visuals, for example graphs, to help demonstrate your argument 

evaluate: provide critical analysis of proposed policies and focus on how efficient each policy solution is

Useful sources of information  

Question 1: Increasing female participation in the paid economy

The Unpaid Care Work and the Labour Market. An analysis of time use data based on the latest World Compilation of Time-use Surveys  

Gloria Steinem: Valuing Women’s Work

Podcast: Care Economy: Reducing Unpaid Work and Inequality. Social Protection Podcast

Question 2: Material rich developing countries capitalising on demand

Mineral-Rich Developing Countries Can Drive a Net-Zero Future

Clean energy minerals: Developing countries must add value to capitalize on demand

Critical minerals can pave the road to more robust international development

How industrial policies can complement future sustainable resource extraction in Africa

Question 3: Government market intervention to mitigate food security risk

Climate Explainer: Food Security and Climate Change  

How is the war in Ukraine affecting global food security? - Economics Observatory  

How to mitigate the effects of climate change on food security  

5 ways to tackle climate change and advance food security  

The race to improve food security

Question 4: Actions governments could take to ensure debt does not prevent development

Back to Basics: What is Debt Sustainability?  

Solving the low-income country debt crisis: four solutions  

How to Prevent Debt from Hurting Economic Growth

Market Reforms Can Stabilize Debt and Foster Growth in Developing Countries  

Swapping Debt for Climate or Nature Pledges Can Help Fund Resilience   

Debt relief for low-income countries   

How do rising U.S. interest rates affect emerging and developing economies?

Find out more about the competition:

• writing like an economist
• diversity in the economics profession
• to provide you with inspiration, read the winning letters from last year’s competition

If you have any questions about the competition, email [email protected]

Good luck! We look forward to reading your entries.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is a data controller. This means that we are responsible for any of your personal data that we collect or use. We will treat all personal information in accordance with data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018. Visit our website to learn more about how we handle personal information .

Updates to this page

Guidance reviewed and updated for 2024 competition.

Link to 2023 competition winner and runners up added.

The deadline for entering the competition is extended to 25 June 2023.

Guidance reviewed and updated for 2023 competition. Submit your entry by 8 May 2023.

The competition deadline has been extended to 18 February 2022.

Updated with information on the new 2021 to 2022 competition.

Next Generation competition deadline extended to 21 May 2021

First published.

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28 March 2024

2024 essay competition now open your chance to win £5,000.

Entries are invited for this year’s Rybczynski economics essay competition - kindly sponsored by KPMG.

This prestigious award is given to the best piece of writing on an issue of importance to economists, and offers the opportunity to help your own work gain a higher profile among professional colleagues.

The prize of £5,000 is kindly offered by KPMG , who are sponsoring the competition, and is awarded at the Society’s Annual Dinner and the author(s) of the final shortlisted entries will be invited to the dinner as guests of the SPE.

Essays - which can cover any field of economics - must be submitted by 1 May 2024 and should not have been published before 1 January 2023 ie. this prize is for work written and/or published between the start of the calendar year 2023 and the closing date.

The judges will be looking for around 3,000 (with an absolute maximum of 4,000) well-written words. Please note that the Judging Panel mark ‘blind’,  ie. all entries are anonymised before sending on to the Judges. Click on page links for terms and conditions and entry form. Good luck!

Related pages

Rybczynski Prize

Next Watch recordings from UK WEN Annual Networking Event - 7 February 14 February 2024

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Top 10 Economics Competitions for High School Students

By Surya Ramanathan

Johns Hopkins University, B.S. in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, B.S. in Economics, and M.S. in Applied Economics

6 minute read

Testing your knowledge at an economics competition is a great way to go beyond a traditional classroom’s offerings, allowing you to showcase your understanding of economic theory, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The experience gained can not only sharpen your academic competition prowess but it can also provide you with a sneak peek into the intricate web of global economic dynamics. Today, we’ll be looking at the ten best economics competitions for you to partake in to boost your college application and enhance your economic understanding. 

#1 Federal Reserve High School Challenge

Hosting Institution: US Federal Reserve

Location: Virtual

Awards: Submission to Federal Reserve Bank of NY Journal of Future Economists

Entry Deadline: February 15

Competition Date: March 15

The Fed Challenge is a dynamic competition hosted by the Federal Reserve, inviting high school students to act and think as economists. Every year, the Fed will choose a competition theme, and each team will write a 1,500-2,500 word paper on the topic. The best submissions to the essay contest are chosen to be published in the Journal of Future Economists by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Participants will have the chance to analyze economic data, create forecasts, and present their findings to a panel of expert judges. 

#2 National Economics Challenge

Hosting Institution: Council for Economic Education

Location: Varies by location

Awards: Cash prizes

Entry Deadline: March 1

Competition Date: June 1 - June 3

The National Economics Challenge, organized by CEE, is a premier competition testing high school students on microeconomics, macroeconomics, and current events. Students begin by participating at the local state level and then moving on to a sem-final national challenge. Finally, the top eight teams proceed to the final national challenge in NYC. The NEC encourages academic excellence and cultivates teamwork and critical thinking. 

#3 International Economics Olympiad

Hosting Institution: International Economics Olympiad

Awards: Trophies and medals

Entry Deadline: Typically in January

Competition Date: July

The International Economics Olympiad is a prestigious global competition that draws together the brightest minds in economics. Hosted by various countries on a rotating basis, the IEO challenges participants with rigorous theoretical and applied problems. Students can choose to participate in one of three competitions: financial literacy (an online simulation game where participants need to create personal financial plans), economics (a blend of open-ended and multiple choice questions), or business case (presentation of case solutions to a panel of judges).

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#4 The Stock Market Game

Hosting Institution: Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA)

Awards: Bragging rights

Entry Deadline: Rolling

Competition Date: Ongoing

The Stock Market game is a great way for students to get involved in financial markets without taking on the risk of losing real money. This nationwide competition simulates real-world trading scenarios, allowing participants to make strategic investment decisions within a risk-free environment. Beyond recognition, the game provides an immersive learning experience, bridging the gap between economic theory and practical application. As teams navigate the complexities of financial markets, they develop a nuanced understanding of economic forces. 

#5 Harvard Pre-Collegiate Economics Challenge

Hosting Institution: Harvard College

Location: Virtual or in-person on Harvard campus

Awards: Trophies

Entry Deadline: March 10

Competition Date: April 8

The Harvard Pre-Collegiate Economics Challenge (HPEC) is a student-run competition hosted at Harvard University. The challenge has two main phases: an initial written exam that all participants must complete, and quiz bowl rounds which consist of questions on topics ranging from microeconomics to modern research topics. In addition to the challenge, students gain the opportunity to network with Harvard economists and students, giving it a unique advantage when compared to other competitions on this list. 

#6 Euro Challenge

Hosting Institution: EU Delegation to the United States

Location: TBA

Awards: Networking opportunities, trophies, certificates

Entry Deadline: January

Competition Date: March 18-29 (Preliminary Round)

The Euro Challenge invites high school students to focus on European economic issues. With nationwide competitions across the United States, the challenge goes beyond traditional economics contests. Winners earn recognition and a coveted trip to the national competition, as well as the opportunity to meet the Ambassador of the European Union to the United States. This is a unique opportunity for students to compete in a challenge that takes on an economics view from a different country’s viewpoint. 

#7 National Personal Finance Challenge

Location: Depends on state

Awards: Cash prize

Entry Deadline: Depends on state

Competition Date: June 4-5 (National Level)

The National Personal Finance Challenge, organized by the Council for Economic Education, focuses on financial literacy for high school students. Although the competition varies slightly state-by-state, the general premise involves participants tackling real-world personal finance issues, including budgeting, saving, investing, and financial planning. Trophies, medals, cash prizes, and the chance to compete at the national level make this challenge a great opportunity for those interested in the intersection of economics and personal finance. 

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#8 InvestWrite

Awards: Cash prize, recognition

Cost: Free (must have participated in Stock Market Game)

Entry Deadline: December 20

Competition Date: N/A

For students who took part in the stock market game (mentioned earlier on this list), the accompanying InvestWrite competition is a great way to get some additional economics experience and work on your critical thinking skills. This year’s prompt is: “Which of your Stock Market Game investments performed well or not and why? Using at least one of your Stock Market Game investments, how would you build a $10,000 diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and/or mutual funds to save for a personal, family or community goal in the year 2033. Be sure to mention what your goal is.”

#9 Young Economist of the Year

Hosting Institution: Royal Economic Society

Location: England, Wales

Awards: Cash prize, certificate, and recognition

Entry Deadline: Typically July

Competition Date: September

Young Economist of the Year stands as a prestigious competition open to students worldwide but typically attracts those in the United Kingdom. This challenge, held annually in the UK, encourages participants to explore a specific economic research question or topic. Beyond certifications and recognition, top participants receive a cash prize, making this competition a great opportunity for young economists to showcase their research and analytical skills, both qualities important for a job in economics. 

#10 Global Youth Economics Forum Competitions

Hosting Institution: Global Youth Economics Forum

Location: Dependent on competition

Awards: Typically scholarships or cash prize

Cost: Typically free

Entry Deadline: Dependent on competition

Competition Date: Dependent on competition

Polygence Scholars Are Also Passionate About

The Global Youth Economics Forum is a community aimed at any high schooler and early collegiate student who has an interest in economics, finance, and business. This community organizes many forums and competitions to test students' economics knowledge. Some examples of past competitions include an essay writing competition, a stock market competition, and a quiz bowl. This is a great place to go to look for informal competitions to get some experience and a chance at scholarships/cash prizes while you practice. 

As you take on these competitions, remember that the experience you gain and the skills you hone will not only set you apart academically but will also help prepare you for the dynamic challenges of the real world. 

The Marshall Society is the Economics Society of the University of Cambridge. Established in 1927 in memory of Alfred Marshall, the Society has since upheld the tradition of its distinguished founders in furthering the discussion of economics. Former members of the Marshall Society include John Maynard Keynes, Nicholas Kaldor, Joan Robinson and Manmohan Singh.

Alfred Marshall was first and foremost a brilliant and original theorist. His insights into theory and his sound philosophy combined still have much to commend themselves to us, his pupils at Cambridge.

What we offer

Our society.

Speakers Events

Engage in the most topical issues of our time. Enjoy talks with leading economists, politicians and academics.

Exclusive Socials

Enjoy some of the most breath-taking events at the University, including our stunning black-tie Annual Dinner.

Mentorship & Networking

Connect with top firms through our networking events,  while enjoying food and drinks, or have longer conversations with our team of mentors.

The Marshall Society has long hosted some of the most prominent voices in economics, politics and finance. Past speakers include John Maynard Keynes, Milton Friedman, John Major, Jack Lew and Oliver Hart. Upcoming events can be viewed through the link below.

Our Magazine

The dismal scientist.

Read the newest edition of our flagship publication, The Dismal Economist , featuring articles by our economists on Russian sanctions, rethinking GDP, and 6 outstanding essays from our 2022 and 2023 Essay Competitions.

Our 2022/23 edition continues The Dismal Scientist ‘s long-running history featuring contributions from prominent economists such as David Card, John Kay, Gregory Mankiw and Alvin Roth in addition to contemporary Cambridge scholars.

Sponsorship

Thank you to our supporters.

FTI Consulting (EFC Division)

The EFC division of FTI Consulting provides economic, financial, and accounting expertise, assessing damages and valuing companies in high-profile litigation and arbitration cases, as well as advising on economic regulation and policy.

Cornerstone Research

Cornerstone Research is a leading economic consulting firm and provides economic and financial analysis in all phases of commercial litigation and regulatory proceedings, working with a broad network of testifying experts including prominent faculty and industry practitioners.

RBB Economics

RBB Economics provides expert economic advice on all aspects of competition law. Over the years, they have been involved in hundreds of the most high-profile competition cases around the world.

NERA Economic Consulting

NERA Economic Consulting is a global firm of experts dedicated to applying economic, finance, and quantitative principles to complex business and legal challenges.

Harris Williams

Harris Williams is a global investment bank specialising in M&A and private capital advisory services, inspired by the mission to unlock value and turn ambitious goals into reality for clients worldwide.

Teneo is a global CEO advisory firm providing a comprehensive array of services for clients across financial advisory, management consulting, risk advisory, strategic communications and people advisory.

The George Watt Essay Contest 2022

The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives is an organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of the American volunteers who fought in the Spanish Civil War. We have an annual essay contest, The Watt Prize, named in honor of Lincoln Brigade volunteer George Watt, a writer, and lifelong activist central to the creation of ALBA, which is now accepting submissions. Students from anywhere in the world are invited to submit an essay or thesis chapter about any aspect of the Spanish Civil War, the global political or cultural struggles against fascism in the 1920s and 1930s, or the lifetime histories and contributions of the international volunteers who fought in support of the Spanish Republic from 1936 to 1938.

The contest offers cash prizes and accepts submissions in Graduate and Undergraduate categories. The deadline for submission is  July 5, 2022 , and all submissions should be emailed to  [email protected]

More information about the essay contest and a detailed look at the contest requirements and judging criteria are located  here on our website . The essay requirements and deadline are noted below

Undergraduate Award ( Up to $500)

• Essays must be between 2,000 and 10,500 words.
• Submissions may be in Spanish or English.
• Submissions must have been produced to fulfill an undergraduate course or degree requirement (please specify course, degree, and institution; for thesis chapters, please add a thesis abstract).
• Winners are expected to make a statement/presentation to the selection committee prior to award disbursement.
• Any work produced since August 1, 2021 is eligible for the competition.
• One essay will be awarded up to $500
• Deadline: July 5, 2022

Email Submissions to Dennis Meaney at  [email protected]

1022 International Affairs Building (IAB)

Mail Code 3308

420 West 118th Street

New York, NY 10027

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10 Economics Competitions for High School Students

In the last few decades, there’s been a steady increase in the number of economics majors.

For those looking to study economics at a top university, competing and winning economics-oriented competitions is one way to stand out. You’ll expose yourself to incredible problem-solving opportunities, network with high-caliber peers and have a shot at impressing admissions officers.

In this blog, we list out 10 economics competitions for you to consider. We’ve included investment challenges, essay writing competitions, and Olympiads.

1. Harvard Pre-Collegiate Economics Challenge (HPEC)

One of the most prestigious economics challenges in the world, Harvard's Pre-Collegiate Economics Challenge (HPEC) invites talented students from around the world to learn, engage, and analyze their knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and global economics. You can participate in teams of 1-4, in the following rounds - the written exam round, and the Quiz Bowl round.

Alongside the competition, you also have the chance to interact with professors, graduate students, and leading economists, and learn about economics and its applications in a real-world setting. The final round for HPEC is held at Harvard University, with finalists receiving an all-expense-paid trip to the University.

Note : There is a $125 registration fee for each team

Dates: April 8, 2023

Application Deadline: March 10, 2023

Location: Virtual

Prizes: Awards, prizes

Eligibility: All high school students

2. Wharton Global High School Investment Competition

Hosted by the Wharton School of Business, one of the country's most prestigious undergraduate business schools, the Global High School Investment Competition is an exciting, engaging, and rewarding challenge. As part of the competition, you are required to build a portfolio with $100,000 in virtual cash, on a simulator. You must use your financial and business analysis skills to invest and make profits.

The best part about this challenge? Winners are not chosen simply based on profits, but also on the strength of the strategies they chose to make decisions. The competition also involves a 10-week crash course on investing, business analysis, pitch creation, and portfolio building.

You participate in a team of 4-7 students from your school and send in 2 deliverables that will be shortlisted for a semifinal round. At the Global Finale, the top 10 teams pitch their ideas for funding at Wharton. Here are some free learning resources and case studies from previous years!

Dates: September 26 - April 22, 2023

Application Deadline: September 16, 2023 (based on last year's timetable)

Location: Virtual pitching rounds with a final presentation at UPenn

Prizes: Certificates, a complimentary spot in the Wharton Online Summer Program for winning teams

Eligibility: High school students residing in the US

3. The International Economics Olympiad

Aimed at furthering literacy in the subjects of finance and economics, the IEO, or International Economics Olympiad is an opportunity you should consider. The Olympiad tests students on their logical thinking, creative application, and problem-solving skills in economics and finance, along with a business case presentation.

Tip : IEO's study materials make for an excellent reference while prepping for the Olympiad.

Dates: July 26 - August 1, 2023 (based on last year's timetable)

Application Deadline: 31 May 2023 (based on last year's timetable)

Location : Virtual

Prizes: Medals, statutes, special prizes

Eligibility: The competition is open to students from all around the world, make sure to check your eligibility here !

4. World Economics Cup

An international competition aimed at fostering better engagement with economics and its development in a global society, the World Economics Cup tests students on a variety of topics across various formats. The competition is a great way to understand pure economics and solve problems using economics concepts.

You must register for the WEC as a team from a school and go through 3+ rounds of MCQs on basic concepts of micro and macroeconomics, material-based objective questions, as well as team presentations.

The WEC does not merely test students on the basis of pre-learned information, which varies from country to country, but provides enough academic guidance and background knowledge in the competition beforehand.

Dates: November 12-13, 2023 (based on last year's timetable)

Application Deadline: Applications are currently open on the WEC website

Prizes: Medals

5. The National Economics Challenge

Sponsored by the Council for Economic Education, the National Economics Challenge (NEC) sees participation from almost 10,000 students every year!

Apart from key micro and macroeconomic principles, you are also tested on your knowledge of global economics. Once you qualify for the First Round National Challenge and National Semi-Final Level after participating in the NEC in your state, your team is rewarded with a fully-funded trip to NYC, where you will challenge teams from other states.

Dates: State-wise dates vary, the National Semifinals is from April 24-28, 2023 and the National Finals is from May 20-22, 2023

Application Deadline: Varies from state to state

Location: State-wise, National Semifinals, and Finals are held in NYC

Prizes: Cash prizes of up to $1,000, awards

Eligibility: All high school students residing in the US

6. The National Personal Finance Challenge

Another prestigious event organized by the Council for Economic Education, the National Personal Finance Challenge aims to educate students on financial literacy and test their application of personal finance concepts and skills in their day-to-day lives.

The NPFC sees over 20,000 students participate every year! As part of the competitions, you will be taught about earning income, spending, saving, investing, managing credit, and managing risk. Once you qualify for state-level rounds, the National Finals will be as follows - your team will be given a fictitious family scenario, and you have to prepare and present a personal finance plan to a panel of judges.

If you're just starting out as a finance enthusiast or budding economist, feel free to check out this free toolkit offered by the CEE.

Dates: Varies from state to state, National Finals will be held on June 4-5, 2023

Application Deadline: Varies from state to state, you can access state-wise applications here

Location: Varies for state-level rounds, National Finals will be held in Cleveland, Ohio

Prizes: Cash prizes of up to $2,000 for each team member

7. InvestWrite

InvestWrite is geared at testing students' understanding of financial concepts and clearly communicating them to an audience of industry experts. As a participant, you are required to submit an essay (of not more than 1000 words) based on the Stock Market Game program, a tool to help the student learn the basics of investing and financial markets.

You are judged based on how clear your understanding of the topic is, how concisely you've delivered it, as well as how sound the critical analysis of your essay topic is. This can be a great choice for you if your strength is in written research and articulating findings on paper!

If selected, your essay is sent for a National Round and an International Round.

Dates: To be announced in January 2023

Application Deadline: Early January 2023 for Spring entries

Location: Virtual submission

Prizes: Certificates, gift cards

Eligibility: Students from Grades 9-12 can participate

8. Northwestern Economics Tournament (NET)

An annual challenge held at Northwestern University, the Northwestern Economics Tournament (NET) challenges students on their knowledge of AP level Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, economic history, current events, and modern economic research through both individual and team-based rounds.

The NET invites hundreds of bright high schoolers from around the country, and is divided into two rounds - an asynchronous, team-based Power Round, and an in-person Econ Bowl. Alongside the challenge, you will also engage with professors and students from NWU, and attend lectures. Students are encouraged to participate in the NET, regardless of their prior exposure to economics!

Dates: March 28 - April 2, 2023

Application Deadline: January 17, 2023

Location: Virtual/NWU Campus

Prizes: Cash Prizes

Eligibility: Open to all high-school students

Note : Here are some sample questions that can help you prepare for the challenge!

9. High School Fed Challenge

A highly prestigious economics competition hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the High School Fed Challenge challenges students to author research in economics and gives them a chance to get published in the Journal of Future Economists.

Students are encouraged to work as a team and focus on honing their teamwork, research, data literacy, and analytical writing. The competition is as follows - every year, participants are given a theme and must pursue research and analysis on any topic related to the theme. Submissions of their academic papers will be judged by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

The winning team will have its papers published in one of the most coveted Economics journals in the country, as well as recognition.

Dates: March 15, 2023

Application Deadline: February 15, 2023

Prizes: Publication and recognition in the Journal of Future Economists.

Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply

10. Global Stock Pitch Competition

Hosted by the Young Investors Society, the Global Stock Pitch Competition challenges students on their knowledge financial analysis and investment. It also provides students mentoring on these topics. In a team of two or individually, you evaluate a publicly traded firm and develop a "best stock idea", occasionally meeting with management.

Each team or student creates a report on their chosen firm with a "Buy" or "Sell" recommendation, and you then present and defend your analysis to a panel of university professors and business professionals in a written report and brief format.

All state-level winners move up to compete regionally in events for the East Coast, Midwest, West Coast, Asia, Access Initiative & International Open.

Note : All registered students will receive a lifetime subscription to TIP Finance, a collection of investment tools developed by The Investor’s Podcast Network!

Dates: May 19, 2023 - Global Stock Pitch Round, April 3, 2023 - state-wise submissions

Application Deadline: April 3, 2023

Location: State-level submissions are virtual, while the Global Stock Pitch Competition will be held at The University of Utah -Eccles School of Business

Prizes: Awards

You can also check out other competitions open to high school students, such as the Economics Poster Competition , Pirates Pitch Competition for High School Students , Capitol Hill Challenge , and University of Texas at Dallas Top Trader Competition .

If you’d like to supplement your competitive experience with independent research, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs ! 

This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. 

You can find the application link here

If you’re interested in writing an economics research paper, consider applying to Lumiere’s Research Scholar Program . We’ve had hundreds of students work with economics researchers from places like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT. Lumiere is a selective online high school program for students that I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 2100 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the   application form   here .

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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FT Schools competition: Young Economist of the Year

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This article is part of the Financial Times free schools access programme. Details/registration  here .

School students across the UK in years 12 and 13 are invited to enter the Young Economist of the Year competition run by the Royal Economic Society in association with the Financial Times.

Applicants — who need not be studying economics — have until July 10 to write up to 1,000 words on one of the five questions picked for this year.

The winning article will be published in the Financial Times and on the RES website and the author will receive £1,000, with £200 for each of the runners up.

Entries will be judged on originality, quality of writing, economic content and quality of the economic argument. They should answer a question on one of the following topics, described in detail on the competition website along with further guidance:

Regional inequality and “levelling up”

The UK’s “cost of living crisis”

The value of a university degree

Cryptocurrency and financial stability

The competition is part of the  FT’s schools programme , which provides free access to the FT for students aged 16-19, their teachers and schools around the world.

Supporting ideas and data for entrants can be found in the FT. Full details and information on submission are available on the  RES competition website .

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Cambridge Society for Economic Pluralism 

• Jun 29, 2022

2022-23 CSEP Essay Competition is Released

Questions for 2022-23 CSEP Essay Competition is released!

Every year Cambridge Society for Economic Pluralism hosts its Essay Competition to encourage sixth form students to go beyond their curriculum and explore important questions society faces today. Our annual essay competition is open to all students starting Year 12 or 13 (or equivalent) in September 2022 (ie taking A Levels or IB or equivalents in the next two years) . We welcome essays in response to any of the 5 titles written below. When writing their essays, we strongly encourage students to consider economic ideas which are beyond the traditional, neoliberal syllabus of most economics courses and to support their arguments with real-world examples/data. Essays should be between 1000 and 2000 words in length (excluding any citations) and entries should be submitted by 23:59 UK Time (GMT+1) on September 4th, 2022. Result of the competition will be published on this page on October 2nd, 2022. Prize winner will be contacted individually regarding their prize.

For details of the competition please check our website .

For inspiration and review please check our past competition archive

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The National Economics Challenge

America’s premier competition for high school students.

The tools of economic analysis teach students to think logically, use data smartly, and build analytic and problem-solving skills

Each year, close to 10,000 students from across the nation take the chance to shine while being tested on key micro and macroeconomic principles, as well as their knowledge of the world economy. 

The National Economics Challenge provides a platform for high school students of economics to compete with their peers on a national scale and make themselves and their schools proud.

Building knowledge, confidence, and camaraderie

The National Economics Challenge has a unique method for engaging, motivating, and rewarding high school students, making it a fun learning experience they’ll never forget. Participants compete for cash prizes, recognition, and bragging rights in one of two divisions: The Adam Smith division is for advanced placement, baccalaureate, honors students, and returning competitors, and the David Ricardo Division is for students participating in the NEC for the first time and who have taken no more than one economics course.

Working in local teams with instructors and economics professionals serving as coaches, students compete first at the state level. The winning team from each state moves on to the First Round National Challenge to vie for their spot in the National Semi-Finals.

The top four teams in the semi-finals advance and receive an all-expense paid trip to New York City to compete and earn cash prizes:

1st place $1,000 | 2nd place $500 | 3rd place $250 | 4th place $125

We’re proud to support young economics enthusiasts today, so they’re well-positioned to shape the very best tomorrow.

#econchallenge

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15 Economics Competitions for High School Students

By Eric Eng

Economics competitions are a great way for high school students to showcase their knowledge and skills and offer valuable learning experiences and opportunities. Participating in these competitions can enhance students’ understanding of economic principles, critical thinking abilities, and problem-solving skills. 

Moreover, they provide a platform for students to network with professionals in the field and gain recognition for their accomplishments. This article will explore the importance of economics competitions, tips for successful participation, an overview of top competitions, specific insights into competition formats and judging criteria, and the post-competition opportunities available, including scholarships and career prospects.

1. National Economics Challenge

• Location: New York City
• Registration Fee: Unspecified
• Eligibility: The competition is open to all high school students interested in economics, with two divisions available: the David Ricardo Division for first-time competitors and the Adam Smith Division for advanced placement, international baccalaureate, honors students, and returning competitors. 
• Important Dates: April 22-26, 2024, with the finals scheduled for June 1-3, 2024

The National Economics Challenge, organized by the Council for Economic Education, is a prestigious competition that showcases high school students’ knowledge of economic principles. Teams participate in written and oral rounds, tackling questions on microeconomics, macroeconomics, international economics, and current events. 

This challenge tests students’ understanding of economic concepts and encourages critical thinking and teamwork, providing a platform for young economists to demonstrate their analytical skills and passion for the subject.

2. Fed Challenge

• Location: Federal Reserve Bank of New York for schools in the Second Federal Reserve District
• Eligibility: High school teams from eligible schools within the Second Federal Reserve District can participate
• Important Dates: September 2024

Sponsored by the Federal Reserve, the Fed Challenge is an enriching competition where high school students explore the intricacies of monetary policy. Participants analyze economic indicators, assess the current economic situation, and present their monetary policy recommendations to judges. 

This hands-on experience immerses students in central banking, allowing them to apply economic theories to real-world scenarios. The Fed Challenge fosters a deep understanding of economic policy-making processes, providing a unique opportunity for students to explore the complexities of monetary decisions and economic stability.

3. International Economics Olympiad (IEO)

• Location: Saint Petersburg, Russia
• Registration Fee: $300
• Eligibility: High school students from 10th to 12th grade
• Important Dates: April 30, 2024 

The International Economics Olympiad is a global competition that brings together high school students with a passion for international economics. Participants tackle challenging problems related to trade, economic policies, and global economic issues, showcasing their analytical and problem-solving skills. 

4. EconChallenge

• Location: Online platform
• Registration Fee: $125
• Eligibility: High school students interested in economics
• Important Dates: April 13, 2024

The EconChallenge, organized by the National Association of Economic Educators, is a comprehensive competition designed to evaluate students’ economic understanding. With multiple-choice tests and critical thinking rounds, participants thoroughly assess their knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international economics. 

This challenge tests theoretical knowledge and emphasizes the application of economic principles to real-world scenarios, fostering a holistic understanding of economic concepts. The EconChallenge is a platform for high school students to demonstrate their economic acumen, critical thinking abilities, and enthusiasm for the field.

5. Finance Challenge

• Location: Cleveland, Ohio
• Registration Fee: Unspecified 
• Eligibility: High school students who have taken economics
• Important Dates: May 2024

The Finance Challenge, run by the Council for Economic Education, focuses on personal finance and economic concepts. High school students participate in a competition that evaluates their understanding of budgeting, investing, and financial decision-making. 

The challenge not only equips students with practical financial skills but also emphasizes the importance of financial literacy for making informed and responsible economic decisions. Through the Finance Challenge, students gain valuable insights into managing personal finances and navigating the complexities of the modern economic landscape.

6. Stock Market Game

• Registration Fee: $15 to $30
• Important Dates: March 3 to March 6 

The Stock Market Game, organized by the SIFMA Foundation, is a simulation that allows high school students to experience the stock market dynamics. Participants receive virtual money to invest in stocks, learning about financial markets, investment strategies, and the impact of economic events on stock prices. 

This interactive experience enhances students’ understanding of financial markets and instills crucial skills such as risk management and strategic decision-making. The Stock Market Game provides a hands-on approach to financial education, empowering students to make informed investment choices and develop a nuanced understanding of the complexities of the financial world.

7. International Economic Summit (IES)

• Location: Unspecified
• Registration Fee: $699 to $1069
• Eligibility: High school students
• Important Dates: September 26

The International Economic Summit (IES) is a unique competition that simulates international diplomacy and trade negotiations. High school students participate in a hands-on experience where they take on the roles of diplomats and policymakers, engaging in negotiations and decision-making processes related to economic and geopolitical issues. 

This summit tests students’ knowledge of economic principles and hone their diplomatic and negotiation skills. The IES fosters a collaborative environment where participants work together to address global challenges, offering a holistic perspective on the interconnected nature of international economics and diplomacy.

8. National Personal Finance Challenge

• Important Dates: May 19-20, 2024

The National Personal Finance Challenge, hosted by the Council for Economic Education, is a competition that evaluates high school students’ understanding of personal finance topics. Participants engage in budgeting, investing, and financial planning challenges, showcasing their ability to make informed financial decisions. 

This challenge emphasizes the importance of personal financial literacy and encourages students to develop practical skills for managing their finances responsibly. The National Personal Finance Challenge serves as a platform for students to apply economic principles to real-life scenarios, empowering them to navigate the complexities of personal finance confidently.

9. International Finance Olympiad (IFO)

• Location: India
• Registration Fee: $11
• Eligibility: Students in grades 8 to 12
• Important Dates: Unspecified

The International Finance Olympiad (IFO) is a global competition that challenges high school students to apply their knowledge of finance and investment. Participants engage in problem-solving activities, case studies, and assessments related to financial markets, investment strategies, and economic decision-making. 

This Olympiad not only tests students’ analytical and critical thinking skills in finance but also provides a platform for them to showcase their expertise on the global stage. The IFO fosters a spirit of healthy competition and encourages students to delve into the intricacies of finance, preparing them for future endeavors in the dynamic world of global finance.

10. Harvard Pre-Collegiate Economics Challenge

• Location: Harvard University 
• Eligibility : Open to all high school students interested in economics

The Harvard Pre-Collegiate Economics Challenge is a competition that allows high school students to collaborate in teams, solve economic problems, and present their findings to a panel of judges. Participants engage in case studies, discussions, and presentations assessing their understanding of economic concepts and ability to apply economic theories to real-world scenarios.

This challenge evaluates students’ analytical and problem-solving skills and allows them to experience the collaborative and dynamic nature of economic decision-making. The Harvard Pre-Collegiate Economics Challenge prepares students for academic and professional pursuits in economics, offering a platform to showcase their expertise in the field.

11. Euro Challenge

• Registration Fee: May vary
• Eligibility: Open for high school students

The Euro Challenge is a competition focused on the European Union, challenging high school students to analyze economic and policy issues affecting EU member countries. Participants engage in research, presentations, and discussions about the EU’s economic challenges and opportunities. 

12. Economics for Leaders (EFL) Case Competition

• Location: Ottawa, Canada
• Registration Fee: $1,995
• Eligibility: Eligible teams often consist of students from different disciplines or backgrounds to form interdisciplinary teams capable of addressing complex challenges. 

Part of the Foundation for Teaching Economics, the Economics for Leaders (EFL) Case Competition challenges high school students to apply economic principles to real-world scenarios. Participants engage in case analyses, discussions, and presentations, showcasing their ability to apply economic concepts to decision-making processes. 

This competition evaluates students’ economic understanding and emphasizes the practical application of economic theories to solve complex problems. The EFL Case Competition provides students a platform to hone their analytical and communication skills, preparing them for leadership roles in various fields.

13. International Trade Challenge

• Location: Asia Pacific Region
• Registration Fee: Vary depending on the specific challenge
• Eligibility: Students typically must be aged between 15-19

The International Trade Challenge, organized by the International Trade Centre, involves high school students creating and marketing a new product, emphasizing international trade concepts. Participants engage in the entire product development process, from conceptualization to market entry, gaining insights into the challenges and opportunities of international trade. 

This challenge assesses students’ business acumen and enhances their understanding of the global marketplace. The International Trade Challenge provides a hands-on experience that encourages students to think strategically about international trade and prepares them for careers in the dynamic world of global business.

14. National Economics Olympiad (NEO)

• Registration Fee: INR 180
• Eligibility: Open to all school students in classes XI and XII from India and South East Asia
• Important Dates: August 2024

The National Economics Olympiad (NEO) is an Indian competition that assesses high school students’ understanding of economic theories, policies, and current affairs. Participants engage in written exams and case studies, showcasing their knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international economics. 

This Olympiad evaluates students’ theoretical understanding and emphasizes the practical application of economic principles to solve real-world problems. The NEO serves as a platform for students in India to demonstrate their economic prowess and prepare them for future academic and professional pursuits in economics.

15. Australian Economics and Business Studies Competition (AEBSC)

• Location: Australian School of Business at the University of New South Wales
• Eligibility:   The AEBS competition is open to high school students across Australia with a basic understanding of economics and business studies.

The Australian Economics and Business Studies Competition (AEBS) is open to high school students in Australia, evaluating their knowledge of economics and business studies through a comprehensive exam. Participants engage in assessments covering various topics, including economic principles, business concepts, and current economic issues. 

This competition tests students’ theoretical understanding and emphasizes their ability to apply economic and business principles to practical scenarios. The AEBS competition is a platform for Australian students to showcase their economics and business studies expertise, fostering a deeper appreciation for the complexities of economic and business concepts.

Understanding the Importance of Economics Competitions for High School Students

Economics competitions significantly promote economic literacy among high school students. These contests create a competitive environment, encouraging participants to deepen their understanding of economic concepts and theories. Students demonstrate their ability to apply economic principles to real-world scenarios by participating and fostering critical thinking and analytical skills.

Furthermore, economics competitions offer a unique opportunity for students to engage with professionals and experts in the field. The feedback and guidance received from judges can help students refine their knowledge and skills, shaping them into well-rounded individuals with a deeper understanding of economics.

Benefits of Participating in Economics Competitions for High School Students

Participating in economics competitions brings numerous benefits to high school students. Firstly, it allows them to develop a strong foundation in economics. Through extensive research and preparation for these competitions, students delve into various economic concepts and theories, expanding their knowledge base.

Secondly, economic competitions promote teamwork and collaboration. Many competitions require participants to work in teams, allowing students to learn from each other’s strengths, leverage diverse perspectives, and enhance their ability to work collectively to solve complex economic problems.

But that’s not all. Let’s uncover another benefit of participating in economics competitions.

How Economics Competitions for High School Students Enhance Learning?

Economics competitions go beyond traditional classroom learning. They provide a hands-on approach to understanding economics by simulating real-world scenarios. Students are challenged to think critically, analyze data, and develop innovative solutions to economic problems.

Additionally, these competitions often incorporate elements of research, allowing students to explore economic topics in-depth. Through this process, students gain a deeper understanding of economic theories , their applications, and their implications in the larger socio-economic context. This experiential learning approach enhances students’ understanding and fosters a sense of curiosity and a passion for economics.

Furthermore, by participating in economics competitions, students develop essential skills such as time management, problem-solving, and decision-making. The rigorous preparation required for these competitions strengthens their ability to work under pressure and effectively manage their time—a skill that has far-reaching benefits beyond the competition itself.

As you can see, economics competitions provide a platform for high school students to deepen their understanding of economics, develop valuable skills, and engage with professionals in the field. These competitions are a stepping stone toward a future where economic literacy is widespread, and individuals are equipped with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions in the ever-evolving economic landscape.

Preparing for Economics Competitions

Essential skills for economics competitions.

Successful participation in economics competitions requires a combination of knowledge, skills, and preparation. Here are some essential skills that students should focus on developing:

Analytical Thinking: Participants must analyze complex economic scenarios, identify key factors, and develop logical arguments based on economic principles.

Data Interpretation: Competitors should possess strong skills in interpreting and understanding data. This includes analyzing graphs, charts, and other forms of graphical representation of economic data.

Research: A strong foundation in research skills is vital. Participants must conduct extensive research to support their arguments and provide evidence for their solutions.

Communication: Effective communication skills are crucial for presenting their findings and ideas clearly and persuasively to judges and fellow competitors.

Developing these essential skills requires consistent practice, self-study, and seeking guidance from mentors or economics teachers. It is also recommended that people actively engage in discussions or join clubs related to economics to enhance their knowledge and critical thinking abilities.

Furthermore, to excel in economics competitions, it is important to have a solid understanding of economic theories and concepts. This includes supply and demand, market structures, fiscal and monetary policies, and international trade. With a strong grasp of these fundamental principles, participants can approach competition problems with confidence and accuracy.

In addition to knowledge and skills, time management is another crucial aspect to consider when preparing for economics competitions. Participants must learn to allocate their time effectively during the competition, as they often have limited time to analyze and respond to complex economic scenarios. Practicing time management techniques, such as setting specific time limits for each task and prioritizing key elements, can greatly enhance performance under pressure.

Tips for Successful Participation in Economic Participation for High School Students

Here are some tips to help high school students successfully navigate economics competitions:

Start Early:   Embarking on your competition journey necessitates a strategic and well-thought-out approach. Initiate the preparation process well to provide ample time for extensive research, dedicated practice sessions, and thorough revisions. By beginning early, you not only alleviate the pressure but also create a conducive environment for in-depth learning and skill development.

Understand the Format:   Understanding the competition format, rules, and judging criteria is paramount for effective preparation. Familiarize yourself with every nuance of the competition’s structure, ensuring that your efforts are precisely aligned with the expectations set by the organizers. This insightful understanding allows you to strategize your approach, optimizing your chances of standing out among the participants.

Work collaboratively: Collaboration becomes a cornerstone of success for competitions that permit team participation. Leverage the unique strengths of your teammates, fostering a cooperative environment that thrives on effective communication and shared goals. Delegate tasks strategically, recognizing and utilizing each team member’s expertise, thereby maximizing the collective potential of your group.

Practice, Practice, Practice:   Practice is the linchpin of preparation. Use mock competitions and relevant exercises to refine your skills and build unwavering confidence consistently. Repetition not only reinforces your understanding of key concepts but also familiarizes you with the rhythm and expectations of the competition environment.

Seek Feedback: In your quest for excellence, actively seek feedback from mentors, teachers, and those who have traversed similar competition paths before. Constructive insights from experienced individuals provide invaluable perspectives, allowing you to identify areas for improvement and refine your strategies. Embracing feedback not only accelerates your growth but also positions you on a trajectory toward success in your chosen competition.

By following these tips, students can optimize their preparation process and increase their chances of success in economics competitions.

Overview of Top Economics Competitions

National level economics competitions for high school students.

Several national-level economics competitions provide an excellent platform for high school students to showcase their skills and compete with peers nationwide. These competitions often require participants to undertake research, present their findings, and participate in rigorous economic simulations.

Some notable national-level economics competitions include the National Economics Challenge, sponsored by the Council for Economic Education, and the Economics for Leaders program organized by the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE).

The National Economics Challenge, for example, consists of multiple rounds where students are tested on their knowledge of micro and macroeconomics , international economics, and current events. Participants engage in intense quiz bowl rounds, written exams, and critical thinking challenges, all designed to push their understanding of economic principles to the limit. Winners of the National Economics Challenge receive cash prizes and recognition from top colleges and universities, opening doors to future academic and professional opportunities.

International Level Economics Competitions for High School Students

If you are looking for more global exposure, several international economics competitions offer opportunities to compete against the best students worldwide. These competitions often require participants to solve complex economic problems, propose innovative solutions, and present their findings to an international panel of judges.

Notable international-level economics competitions include the International Economics Olympiad, the World Economics Olympiad, and the Hult Prize Global Finals.

For instance, The International Economics Olympiad brings talented high school students together to compete in a series of challenging theoretical and practical economics tasks. Participants are tasked with analyzing real-world economic issues, developing policy recommendations, and defending their solutions before a prestigious jury of economists and academics. The competition fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills and promotes cross-cultural exchange and collaboration among young economists from diverse backgrounds.

Insights into Specific Economics Competitions for High School Students

Breakdown of competition formats.

Competition formats vary significantly, ranging from written exams to oral presentations, research papers, and economic simulations. It is essential to understand the competition format you are interested in, as this will determine the specific skills and knowledge you need to focus on during your preparation.

Some competitions, such as the National Economics Challenge, include multiple-choice exams and team presentations. Others, like the International Economics Olympiad, involve written tests and extemporaneous speeches.

Moreover, certain economics competitions incorporate real-world case studies or policy analysis tasks to test participants’ ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios. These competitions provide a holistic view of economic problem-solving and decision-making processes, challenging participants to think critically and creatively.

Judging Criteria in Economics Competitions for High School Students

Judging criteria in economics competitions typically evaluate participants based on their understanding of economic principles, clarity of presentation, creativity of solutions, and ability to articulate arguments effectively. Judges may also assess teamwork (in team competitions), research skills, and analytical thinking.

Understanding the judging criteria of the specific competition you are participating in is crucial to tailor your approach accordingly.

Furthermore, in some economics competitions, there is a strong emphasis on applying interdisciplinary knowledge, where participants are required to integrate concepts from fields such as sociology, political science, and mathematics into their economic analyses. This multidisciplinary approach enriches the competition experience and highlights the interconnected nature of various academic disciplines in addressing complex economic issues.

Post-Competition Opportunities

Scholarships and awards from economics competitions for high school students.

Winning or placing well in economics competitions can open doors to various post-competition opportunities. Many competitions offer top performers scholarships, cash prizes, or internship opportunities. These rewards recognize the students’ achievements and provide financial support for further education in economics or related fields.

For instance, the prestigious Smithson Economics Competition awards a generous scholarship to the winner, covering tuition fees for a four-year undergraduate degree in economics at any university of their choice. This relieves the financial burden on the student and allows them to pursue their passion for economics without any constraints.

Furthermore, high-ranking participants in prestigious competitions may receive invitations to join exclusive economic societies or participate in advanced training programs, enhancing their academic credentials. The Keynesian Society, for example, extends an invitation to the top ten performers of the Hayek Economics Competition to become lifetime members, providing them with access to a network of esteemed economists and exclusive research opportunities.

Career Prospects after Participating in Economics Competitions for High School Students

Participating in economics competitions can have lasting impacts on students’ career prospects. Participants develop a competitive edge when applying to renowned universities or economics programs by demonstrating their knowledge and skills. The recognition gained from these competitions can also impress future employers, showing a commitment to excellence and a passion for economics.

Moreover, participating in economics competitions often allows students to connect with economists, professors, and industry professionals, expanding their network for future opportunities within the field. For instance, the Adam Smith Economics Competition hosts an annual networking event where participants can interact with influential figures in the industry, potentially leading to internships or job offers.

Furthermore, the exposure gained from participating in economics competitions can pave the way for speaking engagements at conferences and seminars. This not only enhances the participant’s reputation but also provides a platform to share their insights and contribute to the field of economics.

Overall, economics competitions offer a platform for high school students to take their love for economics to a new level. Whether you are keen on developing your economic knowledge, improving essential skills, or exploring career prospects, participating in these competitions can be a transformative experience. So, dive into the world of economics competitions and unleash your potential!

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Call for papers for 2022 Essay competition for Young Economists

Deadline: 6 June 2022

The WTO has issued a call for young economists to submit papers for the 2022 WTO Essay Award. The aim of the award is to promote high-quality research on trade policy and international trade cooperation and to reinforce the relationship between the WTO and the academic community. Essays must be submitted by 6 June 2022.

The annual WTO Essay Award provides a prize of CHF 5,000 to the author(s) of the winning essay. In the case of a co-authored paper, the prize will be equally divided among the authors. The winning paper will be officially announced at the annual meeting of the  European Trade Study Group  (ETSG), the largest conference specializing in international trade. The award ceremony will take place on 8-10 September 2022 at the University of Groningen in The Netherlands. The winning author will receive funding to attend the meeting.

An Academic Selection Panel is responsible for the selection of the winning paper. The panel comprises:

• Professor  Beata Javorcik  (University of Oxford)
• Professor  Robert Staiger  (Dartmouth College)
• Professor  Alberto Trejos  (INCAE Business School).

Dr Robert Koopman (Director, Economic Research and Statistics Division, WTO Secretariat) is ex officio member of the panel. Dr Roberta Piermartini (Chief, Trade Cost Analysis Section, WTO) coordinates the work of the selection panel.

Eligibility

The paper must address issues related to trade policy and international trade cooperation. The author(s) of the paper must possess or be engaged in the completion of a PhD degree and, if over 30 years of age, be no more than two years past a PhD defence. In the case of co-authored papers, this requirement shall apply to all authors. In addition, to be considered for the award, essays cannot exceed 15,000 words.

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Short paper competition

The Department of Economics at Arizona State University hosts an annual short paper competition in the spring semester, which gives economics students a chance to win a cash prize and have their paper published in an ASU student-run economics journal. We are now accepting submissions for Spring 2024. Please see below for details.

About the competition

The short paper competition invites economics students to analyze current economic events in a research-backed paper. This gives students a chance to think about topics within economics that interest them the most and try to answer a question or explain a problem within the industry.

Leading this competition is Kelvin Wong, clinical associate professor and executive director of undergraduate programs in the Department of Economics. “Our goal is to get students thinking and writing about economics, which hopefully leads to greater interest in pursuing economics as a major,” he says. “We also hope this will give our department more chances to interact with students outside of the classroom.”

Papers will be reviewed by the team at the Economics Review at ASU, a student-run journal, as well as by economics professors, and judged on the quality of its analysis, writing, and originality.

Rules for submission

There are two divisions for submissions. Division A consists of students who have not taken ECN312 or those currently taking ECN 312, while Division B consists of students who have completed ECN 312. Students should take care to submit to the correct division to avoid being disqualified.

The contest will run from January 29 to March 31, 2024. Other rules for submission are:

• Each student may only submit one paper.
• Papers must be 600 to 1,500 words.
• Sources must be properly cited using APA style at the end of the paper (references do not count toward the word limit).
• Students will be interviewed to ensure their work is original and not the work of AI or an outside service.
• To submit a paper, email a Microsoft Word or Google Docs file to [email protected] with the following subject line: Competition Division [Your Division] - [Your Name] [Article Title]
• Submissions are due by March 31, 2023, at 11:59 p.m., MST.

One prize per division is awarded to each place:

• First place wins $300.
• Second place wins $175.
• Third place wins $100.
• Fourth place wins $50.

Top entries will also be considered for publication in the Economics Review at ASU .

2024 winners

In Spring 2024, eight economics students were awarded cash prizes in the annual short paper competition, and their papers were published in the Economics Review at ASU. Read about our Spring 2024 winners , including what they gained from participating.

2024 Division A winners

• First place: Catherine Jiang
• Second place: Peyton Jergenson
• Third place: Anushayana Pant
• Fourth place: Shankar Raman

2024 Division B winners

• First place: Rachel Etebari
• Second place: Sona Shah
• Third place: Abdulaziz Alqurashi
• Fourth place: McKenzie Woodhead

2023 winners

In Spring 2023, eight economics students were awarded cash prizes in the first short paper competition, and their papers were published in the Economics Review at ASU. Read about our Spring 2023 winners , including what they gained from participating.

2023 Division A winners

• First place: Grace Guentzel
• Second place: Seth McMaster
• Third place: Ethan Tong
• Fourth place: Aval Daryani

2023 Division B winners

• First place: Michael Volkert Jr.
• Second place: ShahNawaz Abbas Syed
• Third place: Ryan Davitt
• Fourth place: Christian Hilgemann

For more information and for any questions, please contact Professor Wong .

How To Tackle The Weirdest Supplemental Essay Prompts For This Application Cycle

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Writing the college essay

How do you write a letter to a friend that shows you’re a good candidate for the University of Pennsylvania? What reading list will help the Columbia University admissions committee understand your interdisciplinary interests? How can you convey your desire to attend Yale by inventing a course description for a topic you’re interested in studying?

These are the challenges students must overcome when writing their supplemental essays . Supplemental essays are a critical component of college applications—like the personal statement, they provide students with the opportunity to showcase their authentic voice and perspective beyond the quantitative elements of their applications. However, unlike the personal essay, supplemental essays allow colleges to read students’ responses to targeted prompts and evaluate their candidacy for their specific institution. For this reason, supplemental essay prompts are often abstract, requiring students to get creative, read between the lines, and ditch the traditional essay-writing format when crafting their responses.

While many schools simply want to know “why do you want to attend our school?” others break the mold, inviting students to think outside of the box and answer prompts that are original, head-scratching, or downright weird. This year, the following five colleges pushed students to get creative—if you’re struggling to rise to the challenge, here are some tips for tackling their unique prompts:

University of Chicago

Prompt: We’re all familiar with green-eyed envy or feeling blue, but what about being “caught purple-handed”? Or “tickled orange”? Give an old color-infused expression a new hue and tell us what it represents. – Inspired by Ramsey Bottorff, Class of 2026

What Makes it Unique: No discussion of unique supplemental essay prompts would be complete without mentioning the University of Chicago, a school notorious for its puzzling and original prompts (perhaps the most well-known of these has been the recurring prompt “Find x”). This prompt challenges you to invent a new color-based expression, encouraging both linguistic creativity and a deep dive into the emotional or cultural connotations of color. It’s a prompt that allows you to play with language, think abstractly, and show off your ability to forge connections between concepts that aren’t typically linked—all qualities that likewise demonstrate your preparedness for UChicago’s unique academic environment.

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How to Answer it: While it may be easy to get distracted by the open-ended nature of the prompt, remember that both the substance and structure of your response should give some insight into your personality, perspective, and characteristics. With this in mind, begin by considering the emotions, experiences, or ideas that most resonate with you. Then, use your imagination to consider how a specific color could represent that feeling or concept. Remember that the prompt is ultimately an opportunity to showcase your creativity and original way of looking at the world, so your explanation does not need to be unnecessarily deep or complex—if you have a playful personality, convey your playfulness in your response; if you are known for your sarcasm, consider how you can weave in your biting wit; if you are an amateur poet, consider how you might take inspiration from poetry as you write, or offer a response in the form of a poem.

The goal is to take a familiar concept and turn it into something new and meaningful through a creative lens. Use this essay to showcase your ability to think inventively and to draw surprising connections between language and life.

Harvard University

Prompt: Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.

What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in both form and substance—first, you only have 150 words to write about all 3 things. Consider using a form other than a traditional essay or short answer response, such as a bullet list or short letter. Additionally, note that the things your roommate might like to learn about you do not necessarily overlap with the things you would traditionally share with an admissions committee. The aim of the prompt is to get to know your quirks and foibles—who are you as a person and a friend? What distinguishes you outside of academics and accolades?

How to Answer it: First and foremost, feel free to get creative with your response to this prompt. While you are producing a supplemental essay and thus a professional piece of writing, the prompt invites you to share more personal qualities, and you should aim to demonstrate your unique characteristics in your own voice. Consider things such as: How would your friends describe you? What funny stories do your parents and siblings share that encapsulate your personality? Or, consider what someone might want to know about living with you: do you snore? Do you have a collection of vintage posters? Are you particularly fastidious? While these may seem like trivial things to mention, the true creativity is in how you connect these qualities to deeper truths about yourself—perhaps your sleepwalking is consistent with your reputation for being the first to raise your hand in class or speak up about a cause you’re passionate about. Perhaps your living conditions are a metaphor for how your brain works—though it looks like a mess to everyone else, you have a place for everything and know exactly where to find it. Whatever qualities you choose, embrace the opportunity to think outside of the box and showcase something that admissions officers won’t learn about anywhere else on your application.

University of Pennsylvania

Prompt: Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge.

What Makes it Unique: Breaking from the traditional essay format, this supplement invites you to write directly to a third party in the form of a 150-200 word long letter. The challenge in answering this distinct prompt is to remember that your letter should say as much about you, your unique qualities and what you value as it does about the recipient—all while not seeming overly boastful or contrived.

How to Answer it: As you select a recipient, consider the relationships that have been most formative in your high school experience—writing to someone who has played a large part in your story will allow the admissions committee some insight into your development and the meaningful relationships that guided you on your journey. Once you’ve identified the person, craft a thank-you note that is specific and heartfelt—unlike other essays, this prompt invites you to be sentimental and emotional, as long as doing so would authentically convey your feelings of gratitude. Describe the impact they’ve had on you, what you’ve learned from them, and how their influence has shaped your path. For example, if you’re thanking a teacher, don’t just say they helped you become a better student—explain how their encouragement gave you the confidence to pursue your passions. Keep the tone sincere and personal, avoid clichés and focus on the unique role this person has played in your life.

University of Notre Dame

Prompt: What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you?

What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in that it invites students to share something about themselves by reflecting on someone else’s words in 50-100 words.

How to Answer it: The key to answering this prompt is to avoid focusing too much on the complement itself and instead focus on your response to receiving it and why it was so important to you. Note that this prompt is not an opportunity to brag about your achievements, but instead to showcase what truly matters to you. Select a compliment that truly speaks to who you are and what you value. It could be related to your character, work ethic, kindness, creativity, or any other quality that you hold in high regard. The compliment doesn’t have to be grand or come from someone with authority—it could be something small but significant that left a lasting impression on you, or it could have particular meaning for you because it came from someone you didn’t expect it to come from. Be brief in setting the stage and explaining the context of the compliment—what is most important is your reflection on its significance and how it shaped your understanding of yourself.

Stanford University

Prompt: List five things that are important to you.

What Makes it Unique: This prompt’s simplicity is what makes it so challenging. Stanford asks for a list, not an essay, which means you have very limited space (50 words) to convey something meaningful about yourself. Additionally, the prompt does not specify what these “things” must be—they could be a physical item, an idea, a concept, or even a pastime. Whatever you choose, these five items should add depth to your identity, values, and priorities.

How to Answer it: Start by brainstorming what matters most to you—these could be values, activities, people, places, or even abstract concepts. The key is to choose items or concepts that, when considered together, provide a comprehensive snapshot of who you are. For example, you might select something tangible and specific such as “an antique telescope gifted by my grandfather” alongside something conceptual such as “the willingness to admit when you’re wrong.” The beauty of this prompt is that it doesn’t require complex sentences or elaborate explanations—just a clear and honest reflection of what you hold dear. Be thoughtful in your selections, and use this prompt to showcase your creativity and core values.

While the supplemental essays should convey something meaningful about you, your values, and your unique qualifications for the university to which you are applying, the best essays are those that are playful, original, and unexpected. By starting early and taking the time to draft and revise their ideas, students can showcase their authentic personalities and distinguish themselves from other applicants through their supplemental essays.

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Speaking Up About Mental Health Essay Contest Winners Announced

Congratulations to the 18 winners and six honorable mentions for the 2024 Speaking Up About Mental Health Essay Contest.

The contest challenges high school students ages 16-18 to raise awareness of mental health. It gives students a platform to share ways to eliminate and/or reduce mental health stigma faced by young people, especially in diverse communities. More than 370 teens from 33 states submitted essays.

The National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development co-sponsored the contest. It’s part of a Health and Human Services–wide initiative to tackle the nation’s mental health crisis.

Read the award-winning essays at https://go.nih.gov/eQCZ1X5 . NIH recognizes these talented essay winners for their thoughtfulness and creativity in addressing youth mental health.

The essays are written in the students’ own words and are unedited.

The NIH Record

The NIH Record , founded in 1949, is the biweekly newsletter for employees of the National Institutes of Health.

Published 25 times each year, it comes out on payday Fridays.

Associate Editor: Dana Talesnik [email protected] (link sends e-mail)

Assistant Editor: Eric Bock [email protected] (link sends e-mail)

Staff Writer: Amber Snyder [email protected] (link sends e-mail)

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‘My Descent Into the True Crime Rabbit Hole’: The Week 8 Winner of Our Summer Reading Contest

Hayne Kim, 16, writes about how an essay in the Times Opinion section made her rethink her binge-watch habits.

By The Learning Network

For 15 years, our Summer Reading Contest has been inviting teenagers around the world to tell us what New York Times pieces get their attention and why. This year, for the first time, students can submit either written comments or 90-second video responses.

In the eighth week of our 10-week challenge, we received 1,095 entries, and we list the finalists below. Scroll down to read the work of our winner, Hayne Kim , and to take a look at the variety of topics that caught these students’ eyes, including the Olympics, giant pandas, “brain rot,” JD Vance, flip phones, “Ballerina Farm,” Billy Joel and toxic beauty standards.

You can read the work of all of our winners since 2017 in this column , and you can participate in the contest any or every week this summer until Aug. 16. Just check the top of this page , where we post updates, to find the right place to submit your response.

Hayne Kim, 16, from Tokyo, reacts to a Guest Essay from the Opinion section, “ My Sister Was Murdered 30 Years Ago. True Crime Repackages Our Pain as Entertainment. ” She writes:

My descent into the true crime rabbit hole was thanks to YouTuber Stephanie Soo. On far too many lazy Sunday afternoons than I would like to admit, I sat slouched in front of my laptop with my eyes fixed on the flashy fluorescent screen, an unhealthily huge bowl of Takis at hand. Video after video, I clung on to Stephanie’s every last syllable as she fed me one tragic tale after another through spoonfuls of uncanny suspense. I continued to devour Stephanie’s stories just as quickly as I licked the MSG off my sticky red fingers. Until I read this article. At the ripe age of six, Annie Nichol lost her older sister Polly at the hands of a murderer. Subsequent to Polly’s murder, Annie was continually met with floods of faceless reporters, writers, producers — strangers — all with an unquenchable thirst for details and an eager desire to dramatize. This constant bombardment of the gates that protected her private, sacred memories of her sister caused Annie immense pain and post-traumatic stress. Suddenly, the hefty plates of Stephanie Soo videos I had wolfed down churned uneasily in my stomach. I realized just how desensitized I had become. A human being’s lived-in nightmare is not meant to be hastily packaged into a sixty-something-minute monetized video. The inability of myself and countless others to immediately recognize this serves as a testament to the unsettling effects of mass media consumption.

In alphabetical order by the writer’s first name.

Anagha Nagesh on What Trump Means When He Mispronounces ‘Kamala’

Desi Miller on “ 104 Shows. $260 Million. After 10 Years, Billy Joel Closes a Chapter. ”

Gabriel Lam on “ Giant Pandas Will Head to D.C.’s National Zoo From China ”

Minghao Li on “ If You Know What ‘Brainrot’ Means, You Might Already Have It. ”

Vivian Wan on “ The Book Bag That Binds Japanese Society "

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