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2026 GRC Social Impact Essay Competition

Solutions for Good

A platform for ambitious high school students to share ideas for social good

For questions regarding the essay competition, please email jocelynwang@grcglobalgroup.com and katherineverrando@grcglobalgroup.com

GRC is an international 501(c)(3) non-profit with branches at over 20 top universities around the globe, including Harvard, UPenn, and Columbia.

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Every year over 1,000 GRC members work with non-profits, NGOs, startups, governments, and corporations on solving their social impact challenges.

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Every year, GRC hosts an essay competition for high school students from around the world to brainstorm Solutions for Good

Awards

Top 10

Authors will receive a mentor from one of GRC's partner universities to support them in their academic journey.

Top 30

Finalists will be inducted into GRC 26-27 Fellowship Cohort. Essays will be published by the GRC think tank on our Insights platform.

Top 50

Authors will receive a digital finalist certificate.

"The internship is such a great experience, because I am learning so much about how to be a better researcher and writer."

"It really provided such a great learning opportunity through both the writing/researching skills and world knowledge."

"I thought it was a great experience researching, learning, and writing about real topics that are both very interesting and also relevant to current times."​

Testimonials

Prompts

Write an argumentative piece identifying an important problem

that the world faces today and offer a compelling solution.

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Choose one of the following topics:

Technology for Good
 

A few countries and companies now control most of the world’s advanced technology, from AI models to the chips that power them. How can the benefits of innovation be shared more fairly across the globe? 

Trade and the New Economic Order

Rising tariffs and reshoring are reversing decades of globalization. How should countries balance self-sufficiency with the benefits of international trade? 

Global Health
 

Misinformation and falling trust in institutions are making public health crises harder to manage. How can trust in public institutions be rebuilt? â€‹â€‹â€‹

Modern Solutions to Human Rights Issues

How can the implementation of all three generations of Human Rights established by the United Nations be improved at the global, regional, and local levels?​

Sustainable Development & Climate Change

Increasing demand for energy-intensive technologies, such as AI is straining climate targets. How should governments and companies prioritize technological progress and environmental responsibility? â€‹

Mental Health and Generation Z 

Rising anxiety and social media use are reshaping how young people grow up. What role should schools, policymakers, or tech companies play in protecting youth mental health? 

Rules

Word Count

Formatting

Authors

Plagiarism & AI

References

Minimum 500, maximum 1,000 words (excluding titles, references, and footnotes).

Times New Roman, single spaced, 12 pt font.

Up to 2 charts or infographics to support your argument.

Submissions are submitted on an individual basis.

All essays will be screened for plagiarism and AI using software. Any plagiarism or AI will result in immediate disqualification.

Reference all sources, using Chicago citation style. References do not count towards the word limit.

Timeline

Submission
Portal Opens

September 1, 2026​

Wave 1
Submission
Deadline

October 21, 2026

$20 Submission Fee

Wave 2
Submission
Deadline

November 7, 2026

$25 Submission Fee

Results
Announced

Spring 2026

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