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Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest

Remote
Timetable
Summer, Spring, Fall, Winter
Cost
Compensation
<$500
Application Deadline
May, August, January
Duration
Other
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Participants in the Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest submit a short-form article on a topic related to international affairs. Each submission will be read and graded by the Harvard International Review. A number of contestants will be selected as finalists, who are invited to participate in a virtual HIR Defense Day. At the Defense Day, students will have the opportunity to give a 15-minute presentation and oral defense to Harvard International Review judges. Students will also be able to attend other special events related to international affairs. All submissions will receive a letter grade from the Harvard International Review. Contestants that receive a passing grade without qualifying for a HIR Defense Day will receive a Commendation. Finalists will be eligible for the following medals based on their preliminary grade and performance in the HIR Defense Day.

  • Commendation: HIR Certificate
  • Silver and Bronze Medal: HIR Certificate and name listed on website
  • Gold Medal: HIR Certificate, name and paper linked on website

Excellent contest submissions will aim to present a topic holistically from a balanced perspective, provide evidence, and demonstrate nuance. Submissions should be well-researched, well-informed, and formal in style and prose. The Harvard International Review does not accept op-eds, otherwise known as editorials or opinion pieces for its competition. Articles are expected to have a thesis but should not have an agenda. Submissions should also not be merely a collection of facts.

Location(s)

  • Remote

Schedule

  • Spring, Summer, and Fall/Winter submission cycles

Cost/Compensation

  • Small registration fee

Eligibility Requirements

  • Students are eligible if they are in grades nine through twelve in any of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories, or if they are U.S. citizens/lawful permanent residents attending high school overseas.
  • Students in countries outside of the United States are also welcome to submit. Submissions are expected to be written in English and with traditional American spelling. For more information on submissions in your country, please contact contest@hir.harvard.edu

Deadline

  • Spring submission cycle: Late May
  • Summer submission cycle: Late August
  • Fall/Winter submission cycle: Early January

Application or Entry Requirements

  • Admissions are rolling and capacity is limited. Make sure to register early!
  • Contestants must register and pay a registration fee to become eligible to submit their article prior to the submission deadline. 
  • Submissions should address a topic related to international affairs today. Potential categories include (but are not limited to): Agriculture, Business, Cybersecurity, Defense, Education, Employment, Immigration, Energy, Environment, Economics, Public Health, Science and Technology, Trade and Transportation.
  • Submissions should be at least 800 words but not exceed 1,200 words (not counting diagrams, tables of data, or authorship declaration)
  • Submissions should present analytically backed perspective on an under-appreciated global topic.  
  • All factual claims must be backed by a citation from a reliable source. All ideas that are not your own must be properly attributed. Citations should be made via hyperlinks. Non-digital sources are welcome but must be cited properly as per AP Style. See the examples above for examples of using hyperlinks for citations.

Notifications of Decisions

Financial Aid Details

Other Dates to Keep in Mind

Have other questions?

Emails may be sent to:
discover@atomicmind.com
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The Harvard International Review (HIR) is a leading international affairs journal published quarterly by undergraduate students at Harvard University. Founded in 1979, HIR features articles, essays, and interviews from scholars, policymakers, and experts, addressing a wide range of global issues such as geopolitics, economics, security, and diplomacy. Known for its rigorous analysis and thoughtful commentary, HIR provides valuable insights into contemporary global affairs and serves as a platform for discussing pressing international challenges and policy solutions.

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Type
Competition
Field
Humanities/Social Sciences, Arts, Writing
Topics
International Relations
,
Government
,
Political Science
,
Other Arts
,
Research Paper
,
Essay
,
Timetable
Summer, Spring, Fall, Winter
Grade Level
High School, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Remote/In person
Remote
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Cost
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