Interest
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The Competition
An argument worth making.
The Dosan Prizes reward serious thought, not polished certainty. Choose a consequential question, examine it rigorously, and make an argument that is unmistakably your own.
14–18
Eligible student age
1,500–2,000
Words, excluding references
Worldwide
Open to secondary students
Who may enter
Global by design.
Any student aged 14–18 enrolled in secondary or high school at the submission deadline may enter, regardless of nationality, country of residence, school type, or curriculum.
Essays must be written in English and submitted by an individual student. A teacher or school representative may be asked to verify age and enrollment for shortlisted entrants.
Submission guidelines
What a complete entry includes.
01
One original essay
Respond directly to one published prompt in 1,500–2,000 words. Include a clear title; the title and references do not count toward the limit.
02
Sources acknowledged
Use any consistent citation style. A bibliography is expected where outside sources have shaped the argument.
03
Anonymous manuscript
Do not place your name, school, or identifying details inside the essay file. Judging begins anonymously.
04
Entry details
Complete the entry form, originality declaration, and teacher or school verification information.
Originality & AI
Use tools to sharpen thought—never to replace it.
AI may be used as a reasoning sparring partner: to surface counterarguments, identify gaps, or suggest avenues for further reading. It may not write, rewrite, or substantially compose any part of the submitted essay.
Every claim, sentence, and conclusion must remain the entrant’s own intellectual work. Shortlisted students may be invited to discuss their reasoning and drafting process. Undeclared AI authorship is grounds for disqualification.
Judging
What readers look for.
01
Reasoning
A coherent line of thought, tested against serious objections and followed to its implications.
02
Originality
An independent perspective that does more than summarize familiar positions.
03
Evidence
Thoughtful use of history, philosophy, literature, public life, or lived observation.
04
Clarity
Precise language, purposeful structure, and a reader who is never asked to guess.
05
Intellectual Courage
A willingness to examine difficult ideas honestly and reach a defensible conclusion.
The cycle
Key stages.
Entry
Prompts and submission window announced.
Review
Eligibility check, blind reading, panel review.
Recognition
Finalists, winners, and anthology announced.