Succeed
    Competition
    Upcoming

    Cambridge Re:think Essay Competition

    by Cambridge Centre for International Research

    An academic essay competition exploring ethics, politics, science, and philosophy through independent research and clear argument.

    Last verified: 10 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
    Cambridge Re:think Essay Competition

    • What Succeed checks

      We review public competition details such as eligibility, cost, entry format, deadlines, recognition and submission requirements.

    • What Last verified means

      Last verified is the latest date Succeed checked the public details shown on this page. Competition details can still change.

    • How official sources are used

      Succeed uses official provider information where available, then rewrites it into a student-facing summary for comparison and planning.

    • Why some dates are reference dates

      If the current cycle is not available, Succeed may show the latest verified cycle dates so you can understand typical timing.

    • Succeed is independent from this provider unless a partnership is clearly stated.

    Cambridge Re at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Students worldwide; pre-undergraduate

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 11-18

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    Free

    Prize highlight

    Gold: $150 cash + $500 Academy scholarship

    Entry format

    Online essay PDF

    Latest deadline

    10 May 2026 · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Get next-cycle reminder

    Cambridge Re summary

    Cambridge Re:think asks you to investigate a challenging question and develop an independent argument across ethics, politics, science, or philosophy.

    The work combines reading, weighing opposing views, and writing clearly. Professor commentaries, reading lists, and optional writing workshops provide useful starting points.

    It suits students who enjoy questioning assumptions and refining their ideas through evidence rather than simply summarizing what others have written.

    What is Cambridge Re:think Essay Competition?

    The Cambridge Re:think Essay Competition is an academic essay contest organized by the Cambridge Centre for International Research (CCIR). It invites students to question assumptions and explore moral, political, scientific, and philosophical problems through independent argument. CCIR is not affiliated with the University of Cambridge or its constituent colleges.

    Participants choose one published question, research competing perspectives, and submit an original essay for double-blind review. Prompts include professor commentary and recommended reading, with topics ranging from AI accountability and museum restitution to fairness and community responsibility. Registered participants can also access an essay guide and writing workshops.

    Why Succeed highlights Cambridge Re

    • Professor commentaries and reading lists give the broad questions a useful research starting point.

    • Double-blind judging directs attention toward the essay rather than the writer's school or identity.

    • The criteria reward original ideas, supported arguments, and readable writing.

    • Separate divisions allow age-appropriate evaluation under shared academic standards.

    • Registered participants can use free workshops and an official guide while retaining sole responsibility for their writing.

    Who is Cambridge Re for?

    Best for

    Students who enjoy independent reading, contested ideas, and building a focused argument from evidence.

    Not ideal if

    You want a team project or intend to use AI writing assistance, both of which conflict with the authorship rules.

    Is Cambridge Re worth it?

    This competition is worth considering if a question interests you enough to sustain independent reading and revision. Its strongest educational value is practicing how to define a problem, evaluate competing explanations, and defend a position clearly. The guide and workshops can help you begin that work.

    Treat recognition as a possible bonus rather than the main reason to enter. CCIR reported 33 award winners from over 13,000 submissions in 2025, illustrating how selective awards can be. A Cambridge ceremony venue also does not make this a University of Cambridge competition.

    How much preparation does Cambridge Re need?

    Effort level

    Substantial independent reading and revision.

    Best started

    Several weeks before submission, allowing time for research and redrafting.

    Main challenge

    Narrowing a broad debate into a defensible argument.

    Typical preparation

    • Read the prompt commentary and select contrasting works from its reading list.

    • Keep notes that separate authors' claims, supporting examples, and your own objections.

    • Draft an outline that answers the question directly, then revise for evidence and clarity.

    • Leave time to verify citations, anonymize the PDF, and confirm your referee's email.

    Useful if

    You want practice in university-style analytical writing.

    What do students do on Cambridge Re?

    You turn one published question into an independently researched argument, using examples and reasoning to evaluate competing viewpoints. The final essay should make your own position clear while engaging seriously with objections.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Choose one question from the appropriate division.

    2. 2

      Read its professor commentary and explore the recommended reading.

    3. 3

      Define the key concepts and gather evidence for competing positions.

    4. 4

      Write and revise the essay in your own words.

    5. 5

      Apply the citation and formatting rules, then submit an anonymized PDF.

    Cambridge Re dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Submission deadline

    10 May 2026

    Cambridge Re:think Essay Competition 2026.

    Reference date

    Competition dates

    15 January 2026

    Reference date

    Result announcement

    26 May 2026

    Published 2026 milestone.

    Reference date

    Event RSVP

    8 June 2026

    Participant event confirmation; 11:00 PM BST.

    Reference date

    Award ceremony

    31 July 2026

    Invitation-only ceremony and dinner at King's College, Cambridge.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Students worldwide may enter.

    • Aged 11-18 on the essay submission date.

    • Junior Division: ages 11-13.

    • Senior Division: ages 14-18.

    • Must not have commenced undergraduate studies.

    • Individual authorship only; no co-authorship.

    • One essay answering one published prompt.

    • Provide an adult academic referee's email address.

    How much does Cambridge Re cost?

    Essay entry

    Free

    Potential funding / awards

    • Optional dinner ticket: £195 — VAT included; for Honourable Mention recipients and accompanying guests.

    What's included

    Free monthly online writing workshops for registered participants., Official Essay Guide through the submission portal., Digital participation certificate after successful submission.

    How to enter Cambridge Re

    1. 1

      Create a participant account on the competition's registration and submission portal.

    2. 2

      Choose one published prompt from your age division.

    3. 3

      Prepare an original essay that meets the word count, citation, and formatting rules.

    4. 4

      Remove personal information from the PDF and enter your details separately.

    5. 5

      Provide an adult academic referee's email address and submit your essay.

    Competition prompts

    Choose one question from your selected subject area. Succeed shows a small preview here, but always check the current competition instructions before writing.

    Questions shown from the latest verified cycle, for reference only.

    Q1.Is populism inherently a form of radical right-wing politics, or can it also represent a legitimate, alternative democratic expression?
    Q2.Should the nation-state be abolished in favor of new forms of global or regional governance, or does it remain essential to political identity and stability?

    Submission requirements

    Keep identifying details in the submission system so the essay PDF can be reviewed anonymously.

    • Maximum 2,000 words, excluding footnotes and bibliography.

    • One essay answering one published prompt.

    • PDF format.

    • MLA 8 citations.

    • Consistent font and 1.5 line spacing.

    • No name, affiliation, or personal information in the PDF.

    • Adult academic referee's email address.

    • Original writing without AI assistance, plagiarism, or co-authorship.

    Prizes and recognition

    Gold

    Ten recipients per division also receive an award certificate, interview invitation, and complimentary ceremony and dinner attendance.

    Silver

    Ten recipients per division also receive an award certificate, interview invitation, and complimentary ceremony and dinner attendance.

    Bronze

    Ten recipients per division also receive an award certificate, interview invitation, and complimentary ceremony and dinner attendance.

    Pathos: Best Writing

    Recognizes compelling writing, with an award certificate, interview invitation, and complimentary ceremony and dinner attendance.

    Ethos: Best Research

    Recognizes thorough academic research, with an award certificate, interview invitation, and complimentary ceremony and dinner attendance.

    Honourable Mention

    Around 10% of shortlisted participants without another award receive a digital certificate and ceremony invitation; dinner attendance is separately charged.

    Participation recognition

    Participants who successfully submit receive a digital participation certificate issued by CCIR.

    What this may help with

    Demonstrating independent academic work and subject curiosity.

    What it does not guarantee

    University admission or university affiliation.

    Judging criteria

    • Original and interesting ideas.
    • Clear, well-structured arguments.
    • Claims supported by evidence or logical reasoning.
    • Writing style, language use, idea flow, and engagement.
    • Academic integrity: no plagiarism or AI writing assistance.

    Judging is double-blind; no numerical weighting is published.

    How to stand out

    1. Define disputed terms early so your argument answers a precise question.
    2. Use the professor commentary as a starting point, then develop your own position.
    3. Read contrasting perspectives and address the strongest objection to your conclusion.
    4. Choose specific examples and explain how each supports or challenges your reasoning.
    5. Revise for a clear argument rather than trying to cover every aspect of the topic.
    6. Keep accurate citations and write every passage yourself without AI writing assistance.

    Cambridge Re FAQs

    It is organized by Cambridge Centre for International Research, Ltd (CCIR), which is not affiliated with the University of Cambridge or its constituent colleges. The award ceremony venue does not establish university ownership.

    The maximum is 2,000 words, excluding footnotes and bibliography. Use a consistent font and 1.5 line spacing.

    No. AI assistance in writing is strictly prohibited, and essays must contain your own ideas, analysis, and expression. Submissions undergo plagiarism and AI checks.

    No. Each participant may submit one essay, and it must answer only one of the published prompts.

    You may seek advice and discuss topics with others, but nobody else may participate in the actual writing. Co-authorship and collaboration on the essay are prohibited.

    Use MLA 8 citations and submit a PDF without your name, affiliation, or other personal information. Enter your personal details separately in the submission system.

    Yes. Provide the email address of an adult academic reference, such as a teacher or counselor. CCIR may contact them for academic verification and will share the competition outcome with them.

    Registered participants can access the Official Essay Guide and sign up for free monthly online writing workshops through the submission portal. Workshops are led by PhD writing mentors from Stanford and Cambridge.

    Alternatives to Cambridge Re

    Compare these essay competitions by the kind of question and independent writing you want to pursue.

    Alternatives to Cambridge Re

    Personal Essay Competition
    Upcoming

    Personal essay writing responding to “Build a bridge”

    22 Jun 2026
    Free
    13-19

    Best for

    Writers who prefer a personal perspective to academic debate.

    View details

    Save this competition in Succeed to compare it with other essay prizes, deadlines and entry formats in one place.

    Compare with other competitions
    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • FAQ – Cambridge Re:think Essay Competition and CCIR Student Research Symposium – Cambridge Centre for International Research (CCIR) | Knowledge Network
    • Frequently Asked Questions – Cambridge Centre for International Research (CCIR) | Knowledge Network
    • Essay Competition – Cambridge Centre for International Research (CCIR) | Knowledge Network

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 10 Oct 2026)

    • Competition dates checked

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Submission rules checked

    • Award amounts reviewed

    • Organizer affiliation checked

    • Optional event costs distinguished

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current submission instructions before entering.