The Lumiere Scholars Essay Award is a free academic essay competition, held multiple times a year, for high school students worldwide, organized by Lumiere Education (founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers). Students choose one of five essay prompts and submit an academic essay of up to 2,000 words. A separate division is available for middle school students (grades 6–8).
Essay requirements:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Word limit | Up to 2,000 words (footnotes and bibliography excluded) |
| Language | English only |
| Style | Academic, formal language |
| Citations | MLA 8th edition |
| Prompts | Choose one of five provided prompts |
Prize structure:
| Award | Cash Prize | Lumiere Program Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| Gold (1) | $1,000 | $3,390 |
| Silver (2) | $500 each | $2,500 each |
| Bronze (3) | $300 each | $2,000 each |
| Additional recognition tiers | — | $500–$1,500 |
Note: scholarships are applied as a tuition reduction toward Lumiere Education's own research programs, not college tuition, and winning a scholarship does not guarantee admission to a Lumiere program. Top winners are also invited to an Oxford University gala featuring virtual keynote addresses by Nobel laureates.
Fall 2026 competition timeline:
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Free registration deadline | November 30, 2026 |
| Essay submission deadline | December 20, 2026 |
About Lumiere Education:
Lumiere Education is an academic mentorship organization founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers. It also runs individual research programs, research fellowships, and publication programs for high school students.