<p>The MAS-ESS Essay Competition is an annual economics essay competition jointly run by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Economic Society of Singapore. Each edition invites pre-university students to analyse a current Singapore economic or financial policy issue; the 2026 theme is "Singapore's AI-Driven Economic Future", exploring how artificial intelligence can reshape industries, the workforce and competitiveness while managing disruption.</p><ul><li>Open to all pre-university students studying in Singapore regardless of nationality, and to Singaporean pre-university students studying abroad.</li><li>Eligible institutions include Junior Colleges, Polytechnics, Centralised Institutes and International Schools, plus pre-university full-time national servicemen.</li><li>Three prizes are awarded: First Prize S$3,000, Second Prize S$2,000, Third Prize S$1,000.</li><li>Submissions for the 2026 edition close on 1 May 2026.</li></ul><p>Entry forms and the full terms and conditions are published on the Economic Society of Singapore's website at ess.org.sg.</p>