FDCO Next Generation Competition 2026

Run jointly by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Hub for Equal Representation at LSE, this is one of the more accessible essay competitions for 14 to 18 year olds: students write a 1,000 word letter to Professor Dennis Novy responding to one of four set questions, and no prior study of economics is required.

The 2026 deadline is 11:59pm on 28 June, entries are split into Under 16 and Under 18 categories, and prizes run from £100 for shortlisted entrants up to £350 for the winner of each category, with the top 8 invited to a funded visit to the FCDO and LSE.

Worth flagging to students that AI generated content is not allowed and references will be checked, so Harvard referencing needs to be done properly. Accessible to all students from Year 10 upwards as an extension or enrichment task, though winning entries will need genuine economic analysis rather than general commentary.  Read the full competition guidance here