Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition 2026

The Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition 2026 (HCGEC) brings together ambitious high school students (aged 13–18) from around the world who have a passion for or interest in writing. The competition serves as an annual opportunity for students to showcase their talents on a global stage, compete for exclusive educational opportunities and prizes, and explore various possibilities for a future in writing.

Hosted completely online, the competition eliminates geographical barriers and provides students worldwide with access to develop and explore their writing interests. HCGEC emphasizes inclusivity for students with diverse interests by offering prompts across three distinct tracks: creative, argumentative (or persuasive), and journalistic.

Eligibility:Open to high school students around the world aged 13–18

Prizes:

• Cash prizes of up to $8,000 US
• Internship opportunities with The Crimson team
• Exclusive complimentary placement in The Harvard Crimson Summer Journalism Course
• Official endorsement of essays by The Harvard Crimson

Application / Registration:

• Early Bird Registration ($15): 1 October 2025 – 15 December 2025
• Regular Registration ($20): 16 December 2025 – 10 February 2026
• Participants may use the promo code AM1937 to receive a $5 discount upon registration.

Is this competition legit?YES! – Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any event, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work.

FAQ
If you are curious how writing competitions work, or it’s your first time entering one, we recommend reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page first.

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