Format, rules & judging.
How the Harvard International Economics Essay Competition actually works — what you submit, how it is scored, who can enter, and the cycle to plan around.
One essay, one prompt
HIEEC is a single-essay contest. You choose one of four prompts released for the cycle and write a focused argument in response — not a survey of the topic, but a clear position defended with evidence. The cap is 1,500 words, and references, titles, headers and footnotes sit outside that count, so the limit is really about the strength of the argument.
Essays are written in a formal academic style — Chicago or APA — and submitted individually. Because the writing is read closely and the word budget is tight, the contest rewards precision and structure over breadth. The strongest entries make one specific, arguable claim and see it through.
Judged on reasoning, not difficulty
Reviewers reward clear economic thinking over advanced-sounding topics. Four qualities separate shortlisted essays from the rest.
A clear thesis
One specific, arguable claim stated early — the reader knows what you are arguing and why it matters.
Honest evidence
Data and theory used fairly, with sources, and without overstating what the evidence can show.
The strongest objection
You anticipate the best counterargument and answer it — rather than arguing only against weak versions.
Readable prose
Writing a non-specialist can follow: structured, precise, and free of filler within the word budget.
The panel is drawn from Harvard’s economics community. In the 2025–26 cycle, essays were adjudicated with Oliver Hart, the 2016 Nobel laureate in Economics, among the readers. Award-winning essays can be selected for publication by the Harvard College Economics Review (HCER) — a citable credit for university applications.
Who can enter
HIEEC is open to high-school students in any grade, anywhere in the world. There is no prerequisite economics coursework — the contest is designed to reward clear reasoning, so a motivated student who reads widely and writes carefully can compete with anyone.
That said, the bar is real. Entrants are competing internationally, the word limit is strict, and the judging is rigorous. The students who do well treat the essay like a piece of academic writing: they read around the prompt, take a position, and revise. If you are weighing whether to enter, the honest answer is that effort and structure matter more than how many economics classes you have taken.
The cycle to plan around
HIEEC runs once a year, in the autumn. In the 2025–26 cycle, prompts were released on 28 October 2025, the submission window closed on 5 January 2026, finalists were notified in mid-March, and winners were announced in late March 2026. Entries were capped at 600 submissions, and a cap can close the window before the stated deadline — so it pays to enter early rather than waiting until the last week.
At the time of writing, the 2026–27 cycle has not yet been announced. The contest typically follows a similar autumn-to-spring rhythm, but treat last cycle’s dates as a guide only and confirm the current cycle with HUEA before you plan around them.
Rules & format questions
Do references count toward the 1,500 words?
No. The 1,500-word limit applies to the body of the essay; titles, headers, footnotes and references are excluded. Confirm the exact wording of the rule for the current cycle with HUEA.
Which citation style should I use?
A formal academic style such as Chicago or APA. Be consistent throughout, and cite any data or claims you rely on.
Can I enter as a team?
HIEEC is an individual essay contest — you submit your own original work. Check current-cycle rules with HUEA if you are unsure.
Can I submit more than one essay?
You choose one prompt and submit one essay. Because entries are capped per cycle, submitting early is wise.
Is AI-generated writing allowed?
Entries must be your own original work. Treat any external help the way you would for a graded academic paper, and follow the current-cycle rules from HUEA.
How are winners recognised?
Finalists and winners are announced in spring, and award-winning essays can be published by the Harvard College Economics Review.
Not sure if you’re ready to enter?
Tell us your year and interests and we’ll point you to the right prompt, preparation resources, and the official HUEA rules.