Nelson Mandela Essay Prize Competition 2026
Academics Stand Against Poverty (ASAP), in collaboration with ASAP East and Southern Africa (ASAP-ESA), the University of Zambia’s Graduate School of Business, and the University of Lusaka (UNILUS), is proud to announce the inaugural Nelson Mandela Essay Prize Competition for 2026. This initiative invites young African scholars to address pressing continental issues and propose innovative solutions for global governance.
With South Africa set to chair the G20 and the African Union joining as a permanent member, this competition provides a timely platform for African voices to shape global discussions.
📝 About the Competition
- Sponsor Organization: Academics Stand Against Poverty (ASAP)
- Purpose: To encourage young African scholars to contribute to global governance discussions and propose solutions to pressing continental issues.
🎁 Benefits
Participants in the competition will enjoy the following benefits:
- Cash prizes: A total pool of USD 5,000.
- One-year ASAP fellowship (optional): Includes mentoring, internship, and networking opportunities.
- Presentation opportunity: Winning essays will be presented at the next Yale Global Justice Program conference.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To participate in the competition, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Open to citizens of African countries.
- Joint submissions by two eligible authors are accepted.
📅 Application Date and Process
Interested applicants must follow these steps to apply:
- Submit essays via email to mandelaprize@academicsstand.org by 16 June, 2026.
- Include the following in your email:
- University or organization affiliation.
- Essay title.
- Ensure the essay is anonymized for blind review.
⏳ Application Deadline
The deadline for submitting applications is 14 June, 2026.
📧 Contact Information
For inquiries or submissions, email: mandelaprize@academicsstand.org
This competition is a unique opportunity for African scholars to make their voices heard and contribute to shaping global governance. Don't miss out on this chance to showcase your ideas and solutions!
- Cash prizes the USD 5,000 pool
- One-year ASAP fellowship with mentoring, internship, and networking opportunities (Optional)
- Presentation of winning essays at the next Yale Global Justice Program conference
