# Competitions > [!info] For pupils, and for teachers pointing pupils towards them. Two national competitions run annually. Both are free, both are open across the UK, and neither requires you to be studying economics. Both close in late June, and both publish their topics earlier in the year. > [!warning] Status — last checked August 2026 > The 2026 rounds of both competitions have closed. The 2027 rounds are expected to open early in the new year, on the pages linked below. ## Discover Economics — Young Economist of the Year > [!star]+ Royal Economic Society, sponsored by KPMG UK > An original piece of work on one of five set topics, published each year. Recent topics have ranged from GDP and happiness to the economic impact of AI. > > **Eligibility:** S3–S6 in Scotland (Years 10–13 in England and Wales). Individual entries, or groups of up to five. > **Format:** written in blog style, maximum 1,000 words; or video or podcast, under 5 minutes. Sources must be cited. AI tools are not permitted. > **Scottish entries:** judged in a separate Scottish award category. > **Dates:** closed 29 June in 2026. Shortlisted finalists present at KPMG's offices in October. > 🔗 https://www.discovereconomics.co.uk/young-economist-of-the-year-2026 ## FCDO Next Generation Economics Competition > [!star]+ Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, with the LSE > A letter on a global economic challenge, set each year. > > **Eligibility:** aged 14–18, studying at UK secondary level — including sixth form, elective home education and British international schools. Two categories: Under 16 and Under 18. > **Prizes:** £350 to each category winner, £200 to each runner-up, £100 to two shortlisted entrants per category. Top 8: a funded visit to the FCDO and the LSE. Top 25: an economics book. > **Dates:** closed 28 June in 2026; results due by September. > 🔗 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fcdo-next-generation-economics-competition ## Other competitions If you know of a competition open to Scottish pupils that isn't listed here, [[6 - Get In Touch|let us know]]. <!-- MAINTENANCE: re-check both entries each January. Deadlines, topics, prizes and the "last checked" date in the status callout all change year to year. --> --- → Next: [[5 - What's Next — a guide for pupils]]