The IEOx Essay Challenge is an international online essay competition for high school students worldwide who are below 20 years old on 30 June 2027. This edition is dedicated to climate economics: carbon markets, sustainable finance and environmental policy. Essays are written in English, individually or in a team of up to 3 people, and registration and submission close on 15 December 2026 at 23:59 UTC. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the official IEOx page and set out the theme, rules, dates and steps below.
⚠️ This competition is not part of the Erasmus+ or European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programmes. The official page does not list a participation fee.
What the IEOx Essay Challenge Is
The challenge is run by the International Economics Olympiad (IEOx), which is dedicated to enhancing skills in economics, finance and business through contemporary, historical and practical resources. As part of this commitment, the challenge gives young people across the globe the chance to transform academic work into compelling and impactful research results. IEOx presents it as a way to join the global economics conversation through research.
The 2026/27 Theme: Climate Economics
In recognition of the 30th anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol, the challenge is dedicated to climate economics. Participants are invited to explore:
🌫️ Carbon market mechanisms
🏦 Sustainable finance
🏛️ Environmental policy
🧮 Other economic questions connected with climate action
There is also a special annual category: the Kyoto Protocol 30th Anniversary Special Award.
How the Winners Are Chosen
The top 40 papers are selected as preliminary winners. From this shortlist, the top 5 papers are chosen for the special awards and featured during a dedicated online seminar. The official page does not state a prize amount.
Who Can Participate
🎓 Open to high school students worldwide: junior/middle or senior/secondary high school students
🎂 Age: below 20 by 30 June 2027
👥 Team format: individually or as part of a team of up to 3 people
1️⃣ One submission per participant: each participant may submit only one article per year, whether independently or in a team
Submission Requirements
🗣️ Language: English only
📄 Abstract: 250-400 words
📝 Body text: 1,500-2,000 words
💾 File format: .docx or .odt
🏷️ File name: serial number and title
The file you upload must be anonymous. Read the Specific Regulations before choosing your research angle.
Steps to Take
1️⃣ Read: read the Specific Regulations and choose your research angle
2️⃣ Register: register on the official website and fill in the author details
3️⃣ Upload: after registration is confirmed, use the link in the confirmation email to upload your anonymous file
4️⃣ Follow: follow the results announcements and prepare for the seminar if selected
Key Dates
All times are UTC.
📅 15 September 2026: start of registration and submission
⏳ 15 December 2026, 23:59: end of registration and submission
📣 25-31 December 2026: announcement of the top 40 papers
🏅 31 January 2027: announcement of the top 5 papers
💻 16 February 2027: online seminar
More opportunities like this are listed in the Others category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can enter the IEOx Essay Challenge?
High school students worldwide who are below 20 years old on 30 June 2027. Participants must be junior/middle or senior/secondary high school students.
Can I enter as a team?
Yes. You can submit an essay individually or as part of a team of up to 3 people. Each participant may submit only one article per year.
What is the 2026/27 theme?
Climate economics, including carbon market mechanisms, sustainable finance, environmental policy and other economic questions connected with climate action.
How long should the essay be?
The body text should be 1,500-2,000 words, with an abstract of 250-400 words, written in English and saved as a .docx or .odt file.
When do I need to submit?
Registration and submission close on 15 December 2026 at 23:59 UTC. The top 40 are announced on 25-31 December 2026 and the top 5 on 31 January 2027.
Is it part of Erasmus+ or ESC?
No. The IEOx Essay Challenge is not part of the Erasmus+ or European Solidarity Corps programmes.
Deadline
⏳ 15 December 2026
Links
📝 Official page and registration: https://ieo-official.org/essaychallenge
📜 Specific Regulations: https://files.ieo-official.org/2026/Essay_Challenge_26_27_Regulations.pdf
