The R.A. Butler Prize is an annual essay competition jointly organised by Trinity College Cambridge and the Cambridge University Department of Politics and International Studies. It was established in memory of Lord Butler, former Master of Trinity College, Home Secretary, and Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The prize is open to students in Year 12 (England/Wales), S5 (Scotland), or the international equivalent worldwide — the pre-final year of secondary school. Each March, a list of essay topics in politics and international studies is published; students choose one and write an essay of up to 3,000 words. The 2026 submission deadline is July 31 at noon UK time.
Prize money is split equally between the student and their school, with the school's portion issued as book tokens: £600 (First Prize), £400 (Second Prize), plus approximately 8 special commendations and 40 additional commendations. Visit trin.cam.ac.uk for current topics and submission details.