<p>The John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize is an annual international essay competition for pre-university students, organised by the Oxford-based John Locke Institute. The Psychology category invites candidates to engage with questions on cognition, identity, ideology, and mental health, and is open to students from anywhere in the world.</p><ul><li>Eligibility: open to any student under 19 years old as of 31 May 2026</li><li>Deadline: 31 May 2026 for the main round (free to enter); late submission options are available for a fee</li><li>Essays must address only one question from the chosen category and be no more than 2000 words (excluding bibliography, endnotes, diagrams)</li><li>Psychology prompts explore themes including post-mortem concern, diagnostic trends in mental illness, and shifting ideological divides</li><li>Prizes per category: US$5,000 scholarship (first), US$2,000 (second), US$1,000 (third), awarded toward any John Locke Institute programme</li></ul><p>Candidates register on the John Locke Institute competition portal, answer one question, and upload their essay by the deadline.</p>
Who can apply
Students from any country who are under 19 years old as of 31 May 2026
How to apply
Register and upload an essay (up to 2000 words) on one Psychology category question via essaycompetition.johnlocke.com by 31 May 2026. Runs every year; the 2026 prize has closed (registration ran from 2 February to 31 March and essays were due 31 May), so expect the next round on a similar timeline.
What you get
ScholarshipAward Recognition
Frequently asked
Who runs this?+
Run by John Locke Institute.
Who can apply?+
Students from any country who are under 19 years old as of 31 May 2026
When's the deadline?+
Applications close on 31 May 2026.
Is it paid?+
Free to apply. No participant fees.
How do I apply?+
Register and upload an essay (up to 2000 words) on one Psychology category question via essaycompetition.johnlocke.com by 31 May 2026.
<p>The John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize is an annual international essay competition for pre-university students, organised by the Oxford-based John Locke Institute. The Psychology category invites candidates to engage with questions on cognition, identity, ideology, and mental health, and is open to students from anywhere in the world.</p><ul><li>Eligibility: open to any student under 19 years old as of 31 May 2026</li><li>Deadline: 31 May 2026 for the main round (free to enter); late submission options are available for a fee</li><li>Essays must address only one question from the chosen category and be no more than 2000 words (excluding bibliography, endnotes, diagrams)</li><li>Psychology prompts explore themes including post-mortem concern, diagnostic trends in mental illness, and shifting ideological divides</li><li>Prizes per category: US$5,000 scholarship (first), US$2,000 (second), US$1,000 (third), awarded toward any John Locke Institute programme</li></ul><p>Candidates register on the John Locke Institute competition portal, answer one question, and upload their essay by the deadline.</p>
Who can apply
Students from any country who are under 19 years old as of 31 May 2026
How to apply
Register and upload an essay (up to 2000 words) on one Psychology category question via essaycompetition.johnlocke.com by 31 May 2026. Runs every year; the 2026 prize has closed (registration ran from 2 February to 31 March and essays were due 31 May), so expect the next round on a similar timeline.
What you get
ScholarshipAward Recognition
Frequently asked
Who runs this?+
Run by John Locke Institute.
Who can apply?+
Students from any country who are under 19 years old as of 31 May 2026
When's the deadline?+
Applications close on 31 May 2026.
Is it paid?+
Free to apply. No participant fees.
How do I apply?+
Register and upload an essay (up to 2000 words) on one Psychology category question via essaycompetition.johnlocke.com by 31 May 2026.
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