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Harvard Undergraduate Economics Association

Harvard Undergraduate Economics Association

Harvard International Economics Essay Contest 2026–27

OpenEconomicsEssay Contest

About the Program

The Harvard International Economics Essay Contest is run by the Harvard Undergraduate Economics Association, a student organization. Its published 2026–27 rules and entry form, checked November 4, 2026, confirm October 26 opening and a January 5, 2027 deadline at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (Boston).

Students submit one anonymous economics essay of up to 1,500 words, including footnotes and excluding references. The two divisions use grade at the deadline; pre-university gap-year or military-service entrants join the older division. A published prompt or an economics question of the entrant's own may be used.

Entry costs US$25 for a school inside the United States and US$35 outside it. Optional written feedback costs US$20. A waiver must be requested before standard form submission; approved students receive another link. Fees are generally non-refundable, with duplicate or accidental payments excepted. Results are planned for early to mid-March 2027. The current rules permit AI tools while requiring original ideas, arguments and cited sources; Harvard faculty participation in final judging is intended if possible, rather than guaranteed.

Eligibility

Worldwide individual entries, one per student. Divisions use grade on January 5, 2027: grades 9–10 and grades 11–12; the latter also accepts pre-university gap-year, military-service or similar entrants. Homeschooled students are welcome. Essays are at most 1,500 words including footnotes but excluding references, in one anonymous PDF up to 10 MB, with no name or school in the file. Choose a published prompt or pose your own economics question. Divisions follow grade or pre-university status, not a published age range. Grades 9–10 or 11–12 on January 5, 2027; the older division also accepts pre-university gap-year, military-service or similar entrants.

Eligible Countries

Grades 9–12 or qualifying pre-university gap-year/service status: All countries The current 2026–27 rules welcome worldwide entrants in the published grade or pre-university divisions.

How to Apply

Use the official 2026–27 Tally entry form. Submit one anonymous PDF and payment by January 5, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (Boston); late entries are not accepted. Request any waiver or alternative payment route before using the standard paid form. Results are planned for early to mid-March 2027.