The World Historian Student Essay Prize is an annual essay competition run by the World History Association (WHA), open to students in grades K–12 from any country. Students write an essay of approximately 1,000 words on a family story, personal cultural background, issue of personal relevance, or regional history, and discuss how it relates to them personally and to world history.
Essay requirements:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | Approximately 1,000 words |
| Format | Double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, 1-inch margins |
| Topic | Personal, family, or regional connection to world history |
| Criteria | Clear thesis, specific personal examples, critical thinking, organization |
Prize:
| Award | Details |
|---|---|
| First place | $500 cash + 1-year WHA membership |
Submission notes:
Membership in the WHA is not required. Past winners may not compete in the same category again, and finalist essays are checked for AI-generated content. The WHA may publish submitted essays in the online World History Bulletin in consultation with the author.
2027 timing, checked November 4, 2026: The official prize page now says its deadline will be announced by early November. No exact submission cutoff or opening date appears in the World Historian section. The linked submission portal returned 403, so additional form details could not be verified. WHA membership is not required, but an explicit entry-fee statement was not found; the former zero-fee claim is unconfirmed.
The published instructions also require numbered pages except the title page, no author name on the paper, and a separate sheet identifying the student, supervising teacher and their email, essay title, contact information and school. The 2027 WHA conference dates and other prizes' deadlines are not this essay's submission deadline.