About The Contest
Submissions Open
September 29, 2025
Submission Deadline
December 14, 2025
Shortlist Announcement
January 18, 2026
Result Announcement
February 1, 2026
At Lumiere, we believe that growth comes from challenges. When middle schoolers tackle big questions, push beyond easy answers, and defend their ideas, they don’t just build knowledge, they build resilience, confidence, and the habits of mind that last a lifetime.​
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The Junior Scholars Essay Contest invites students in grades 6 to 8 to wrestle with big questions, challenge common assumptions, and make their case with creativity and evidence. Entries are reviewed by our Academic Advisory Committee, an international panel of distinguished professors and researchers.
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6 winners (1 Gold, 2 Silver, and 3 Bronze) will share a total of more than $11,000 in cash prizes and scholarships.
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Free to enter and open worldwide, the contest is a celebration of rising thinkers, a sandbox for bold ideas, and continues Lumiere’s mission to empower the next generation of scholars.
2025 Awards
Gold
(1 recipient)
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$300 cash award​​
Full Scholarship to Lumiere's Junior Explorer Program worth $2,690
Advisory Committee and Judging Panel
​Dr. Miles Stopher
Associate Professor, University​ of Cambridge
​Dr. Dhruva Bhat
Co-founder of Lumiere Education
​Dr. Conor Walsh
Associate Professor, Columbia University​
​Dr. Rebecca Louise Carter
Associate Professor, Brown University​
​Dr. Felix Waldmann
Assistant Professor, University​ of Cambridge
​Dr. Peter Belenky
Associate Professor, Brown University​
​Dr. Joseph Bafumi
Associate Professor, Dartmouth University​
​Dr. Calbert Graham
Affiliated Lecturer, University of Cambridge​
​Dr. Sofia Villar
MRC Investigator - Programme Leader, University of Cambridge​
​Dr. Brian Saltzer
Lecturer, Princeton University
President, Quantum Scientific Publishing​
2025 Essay Prompts
Participants can choose ONE of the following prompts.
1. Should society invest more in art or in science?
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2. Is it better to live under a “good” dictator than a “bad” democracy?
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3. Should we edit human DNA only to cure disease, or also to enhance abilities?
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4. Do we owe more to future generations or to people alive today?
5. Students increasingly turn to AI tools like ChatGPT to prepare their essays. What do you believe is an ethical way to use AI in essay writing, and why?
Judging Criteria
​At Lumiere, ​essays are evaluated with our proprietary rubric. The judging panel includes esteemed professors and researchers from Cambridge, Oxford, Columbia, Brown, and Dartmouth, engaging in a double-blind review process. Our system is designed to eliminate biases related to an author’s identity, affiliation, or reputation.​
The strongest essays show intellectual independence and persuasive arguments that can change a thoughtful reader’s mind. Submissions that ignore major counterarguments or fail to engage meaningfully with opposing perspectives are unlikely to succeed.
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The award seeks well-reasoned, research-based argumentative essays rather than original research papers. ​​Participants are not expected to perform primary data collection or advanced data analysis to submit.
Originality
A distinct viewpoint and fresh insights
Analysis
A thorough understanding of the subject, supported by strong arguments.
Evidence
Well-substantiated arguments using credible, integrated sources.
Structure
Logical organization, clear progression of ideas, and smooth transitions.
Presentation
Meticulously edited, formal, grammatically correct, and precisely worded academic writing.
Guidelines & Eligibility
General Guidelines
Free entry
There are no fees required to enter the competition. It is open to all eligible participants without cost.​
Single Submission
Participants may submit only one essay.​
Original Scholarship & Sole Authorship​
1. Each essay must be the original work of the participant.
2. While participants may seek feedback or engage in discussion, the writing must be conducted entirely by the student. No joint or collaborative submission is permitted.
3. The use of external writing services is strictly prohibited.​
Academic Integrity​
1. Plagiarism in any form will result in disqualification.
2. All referenced material must be appropriately cited, and essays must reflect the participant’s original thought and expression.
3. Each participant must provide the email address of an academic referee who is acquainted with their academic work (a school teacher or counselor). Lumiere may contact referees directly to confirm the authenticity and originality of the submitted essays.
Format & Style
Language​
Essays must be in English.​
Academic​
Essays must be academic and use formal language. Students may not use personal anecdotes to substantiate their arguments. ​​
The award seeks well-reasoned, research-based argumentative essays rather than original research papers. ​​Participants are not expected to perform primary data collection or advanced data analysis to submit.
Word Limit​
Essays must not exceed 1,000 words, excluding footnotes and bibliography.​
Citation Format
Essays must follow the Modern Language Association (MLA) 8th edition citation style.
For further reference, please consult this MLA 8 citation guide.​​​​
Eligibility
The competition is open to all students from any country who are enrolled in middle school (grades 6 to 8, as of December 31, 2025). The submission must be in English and not exceed 1,000 words.
Current scholars or alumni of Lumiere's Junior Explorer Program are welcome to apply, but may not submit their Lumiere final paper.​
Submission Deadline: December 14, 2025
Frequently asked questions
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