Lumiere Scholars Essay Award

An international essay award that invites high school students to explore important interdisciplinary questions, challenge assumptions, develop original arguments and support their ideas with rigorous evidence. One original, research-based argumentative essay; maximum 2,000 words, excluding footnotes and bibliography. Five interdisciplinary prompts; topics span areas such as political theory, science, society and other major intellectual questions.

Develops research, critical thinking, argumentation, evidence evaluation, academic writing and intellectual independence. Top students can receive cash prizes, scholarships and invitations to Lumiere events at Oxford University.

Open to students from any country who will be enrolled in high school as of December 31, 2026. Only one essay may be submitted. The essay must be the student's original, sole-authored work. Joint submissions and external writing services are prohibited. Plagiarism leads to disqualification. Participants must properly cite sources and provide an academic referee who knows their academic work. MLA 8th edition