The Harvard Undergraduate Moot Court (HUMC) Legal Essay Contest is an online writing competition organized by a Harvard College student organization. The verified information below describes its historical 2026 cycle; a later cycle has not been verified.
2026 format and eligibility:
The linked official rules, updated September 23, 2026, require current high-school enrollment in grades 9–12 and permit one entry per person. They do not state a numerical age range or geographic restrictions. Essays must respond to the official prompt, use at most 850 words excluding references, and be typed, double-spaced, in a standard 12-point font, as PDF or Word. Work must be original, unpublished and unassisted; substantive AI-generated writing and work previously submitted to another contest or publication are ineligible. Outside sources, if used, must be cited.
2026 fee and deadline:
The rules require a non-refundable $25 entry fee and proof of payment. Their September 23 update says the fee-waiver limit had been reached and no additional waivers would be granted. The cutoff was October 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST, using the organizer’s literal time label. The guide says entries may be capped at 100; the main contest page says the deadline or first 100 entries, whichever came first. The date is now historical; the main page’s undated “Now open” wording does not establish a new intake.
2026 prizes and judging:
Harvard undergraduate Moot Court members judge argument, structure, evidence, originality and writing mechanics. First prize is $100 and a certificate. Top scorers may be offered optional college-application advice or mentorship.
Checked November 4, 2026 against the official contest page and its linked rules. Future deadlines, fees, waiver availability and an exact opening date have not been verified.