The John Locke Institute Essay Competition is a long-running writing contest for students interested in the humanities and social sciences. This post covers the 2026 competition: categories, eligibility, key dates, prizes, and how to write a strong entry.

What is the John Locke Institute Essay Competition?

It’s an annual competition that asks students to engage with serious questions in philosophy, politics, economics, and related fields. You pick one question, write an argument, and compete for scholarships and recognition. It’s open to students worldwide.

For 2026 there are ten subject categories, with three questions each (thirty questions in total). The categories, with one sample question each, are:

• Philosophy — Is it ever wrong to do the right thing for the wrong reasons?
• Politics — Is the right to self-determination absolute?
• Economics — Should we fear a cashless society?
• History — ‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.’ Is it? Does it?
• Law — If legislators and judges all accepted the philosophical theory of determinism, what would be the effect on criminal sentencing?
• Psychology — Why do we care what happens to our body after death?
• Theology — Is religious experience better explained by neuroscience or by theology?
• International Relations — Does foreign aid help or hurt poor people?
• Public Policy — What discount rate should be applied to long-run environmental policies? Why?
• Science & Technology — Is free speech the enemy of science?

Eligibility

You must be under 19 years old as of the submission deadline (31 May 2026). There is no minimum age. New for 2026, there are no separate junior questions: everyone chooses from the same thirty questions. Students who are under 15 as of 31 May 2026 are judged in the Junior division against their age peers; everyone else is judged in the Senior division. Your division is assigned automatically from your date of birth.

1. Confirm you’re eligible (under 19 on the submission deadline).
2. Choose one of the thirty questions across the ten subjects. You may enter up to one essay per category.
3. Follow the word limit. Essays must not exceed 2,000 words (not counting diagrams, tables, endnotes, bibliography, or the authorship declaration).
4. Register and submit through the official portal, and have an academic referee verify the work is your own.

Prizes

Prizes are scholarships toward John Locke Institute programmes. In each category, first place receives a US$5,000 scholarship, second place US$2,000, and third place US$1,000. The best overall essay wins an honorary John Locke Institute Junior Fellowship and a US$10,000 scholarship. Junior and Senior entrants are judged separately within each category.

Key dates for 2026

• Registration opens: 2 February 2026.
• Registration deadline (hard deadline): 31 March 2026. You must register by this date to be able to submit.
• Submissions open: 1 April 2026.
• Submission deadline: 31 May 2026.
• Late entry: 7 June 2026 (seven-day extension, £25 fee) or 21 June 2026 (twenty-one-day extension, £75 fee).
• Shortlist notification: 7 July 2026.
• Academic conference (London): 2–4 October 2026.
• Awards dinner (London): 3 October 2026.

There’s no entry fee unless you submit after the regular deadline. Attendance at the conference isn’t required to win.

Tips for a strong essay

Choose your question carefully

Pick a question that genuinely interests you and plays to your strengths. Read it closely so you understand exactly what it’s asking, and keep that question in front of you the whole way through. Before doing any research, write down everything you already think about it. That surfaces your best instincts and shows you where your knowledge gaps are, which is where your reading should start.

Research deeply

1. Brainstorm first. Note your gut opinions, what intrigues you, and the obvious counter-arguments. This shows you what you need to read.
2. Build a reading list. Gather books, academic articles, interviews, and documentaries, including sources that challenge your view, not just ones that support it.
3. Seek expert input. If you can, talk to someone knowledgeable who can point you to credible sources.
4. Take careful notes. Track key points, arguments, and evidence, and keep returning to the knowledge gaps you identified.

Build an original, well-structured argument

• Take a clear position. Judges reward a fresh, well-defended viewpoint over a survey of what others have said.
• Structure it. A clear introduction, body, and conclusion, with each section building on the last. At 2,000 words you have room for roughly three arguments, one counterargument and response, and nothing else.
• Answer the question. Stay on the question you chose and cut anything that doesn’t advance your argument.

Refine and proofread

1. Proofread. Fix grammar, typos, and inconsistencies.
2. Get feedback. A teacher, mentor, or peer will catch weak points you can’t see.
3. Work with a mentor. A good mentor can pressure-test your argument and push it further.

Finding the right mentor matters. Rishab Jain shares how he found the mentor who helped with his award-winning ISEF research project. The same approach works for an essay competition.

Learn from previous winning essays

Read past winners closely to see what judges reward. Winning essays tend to be direct, clear, and evidence-based rather than ornate.

How your essay is judged

Knowledge and understanding

A strong essay shows real command of the subject, not just familiarity with the literature but the ability to use key concepts in your own argument.

Use of evidence

Back your claims with credible, relevant evidence: studies, data, and research findings that actually support the point you’re making.

Structure, style, and persuasive force

Your argument needs to be both well-evidenced and well-presented. Clear structure and writing make it persuasive.

Quality of argument

The strongest essays tie all of this together: a well-reasoned argument, supported by evidence, that stays clear and coherent throughout.

Want to take your essay further?

Join our Skool community for resources, advice, and a network of peers working toward the same goal. Share your progress and learn from others preparing for the John Locke Institute Essay Competition.

Final thoughts

Competitions like this can strengthen your college application, get your work noticed, and earn scholarships. John Locke isn’t the only writing competition worth entering, either. This video covers more competitions high schoolers can compete in and win.