<p>An annual essay prize in politics and international studies jointly run by Trinity College, Cambridge and the University of Cambridge Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS). Open to penultimate-year secondary students worldwide, it is designed to encourage entrants into undergraduate study of politics, international relations and related disciplines — regardless of their current subject mix.</p><ul><li>Eligibility: students in Year 12 / Lower Sixth (or equivalent) expecting to receive final school results between September 2026 and August 2027; international applicants welcome</li><li>Each entrant submits one essay of up to 3,000 words (including footnotes, excluding bibliography) on one of the set questions released in March</li><li>Submission deadline: 12 noon BST on Friday 31 July 2026</li><li>First Prize £600 (£300 to candidate, £300 in book tokens to their school); Second Prize £400 (£200 + £200). Typically eight Special Commendations and forty Commendations are also awarded</li><li>Winners and Special Commendation recipients are invited to visit Trinity College to meet the academic staff</li></ul><p>Entries are submitted via the Trinity College essay-prize page linked from the POLIS prize page.</p>