HIR Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest

The HIR Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest is founded by the Harvard International Review, a quarterly magazine covering insights on international affairs. The magazine has featured commentary by 43 Presidents and Prime Ministers, 4 Secretaries-General, 4 Nobel Economics Prize laureates, and 7 Nobel Peace Prize laureates.

Interested in the competition?

Competition Overview

Middle and high school students around the world (Grades 7-12)

Eligibility

📌 Note: Aralia is not the organizer of this competition. For official rules, deadlines, and updates, please refer directly to the competition organizer. Aralia provides listings and information about competitions for student reference. Aralia is an online education platform offering competition preparation classes to students worldwide.

Deadline Details

There are three distinct submission cycles for the contest:

Spring 2026

Article Submission Deadline: May 31, 2026
HIR Defense Day: June 29, 2026

Summer 2026

Article Submission Deadline: August 31, 2026
HIR Defense Day: October 5, 2026

Fall 2026 / Winter 2026

Article Submission Deadline: January 2, 2027
HIR Defense Day: February 5, 2027

Competition Details

1. Divisions

Middle school students: 7th-8th graders
High school students: 9th-12th graders

2. Eligibility

United States: Students are in grades 7 through 12 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.

International: Students outside of the United States (grades 7-12) are welcome to submit, and submissions should be written in English and with traditional American spelling.

3. Contest Format

Middle school students: will submit a short-form article on a topic closely related to international affairs
High school students: will submit a short-form article on a topic in international affairs

The articles are read and graded by the Harvard International Review (HIR). Finalists are selected from these submissions and invited to participate in a virtual HIR Defense Day. During Defense Day, finalists give a 15-minute presentation and oral defense of their articles to HIR judges.

4. Theme

Middle school students: Inventions that Changed How We Live

High school students:

Theme A: Global Culture in the Digital Era
Theme B: Security in a Multipolar World
Theme C: Technology, Innovation, and Power

5. Categories

Potential categories include (but are not limited to) Agriculture, Business, Cybersecurity, Defense, Education, Employment & Immigration, Energy & Environment, Finance & Economy, Public Health, Science & Technology, Space, Trade, and Transportation. Articles should examine the theme from a global perspective rather than focusing on the United States.

6. Finalist and Winner Selection

Contestants who receive a passing score without qualifying for a HIR Defense Day will receive individual prizes.

Finalists and winners will be decided, and awards will be selected based on their scores and performance in the HIR Defense Day.

7. Prizes

All submissions will receive a letter grade. Contestants who 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 on the HIR Defense Day.

Commendation: HIR Certificate

Outstanding Writing Content / Style Prize: HIR Certificate

High Commendation Prize: HIR Certificate

Bronze Medal: HIR Certificate and name listed on the website (global top 20 percent)

Silver Medal: HIR Certificate and name listed on website (global top 10 percent)

Gold Medal: HIR Certificate and name listed on website (global top 3 percent)