What problem will matter much more ten years from now, and what would you create to address it?
Example possible directions
Explore challenge →
Care economy growsAutomation fills the gapFamilies carry it
You'll be ten years older. So will the world.
AI, science, climate, work, politics and culture are already changing quickly. In ten years, today's students will be living in the world those changes create.
Choose one of those changes. Investigate it properly. Decide what you think should happen next, and make the case.
No one knows exactly what 2037 will look like. Your job isn't to guess. Examine the evidence, weigh what could happen, and argue for what should.
Choose your question.
What scientific or technological development could most improve life by 2037, and what needs to happen to make it possible?
Example possible directions
Explore challenge →
Universal early screeningUnequal accessRegulation stalls
What should society change today to create a better world ten years from now?
Example possible directions
Explore challenge →
Remote-first citiesReturn to the centreTwo-speed cities
Requirements
Who can enterStudents aged 14–18 on the closing date of the round they enter, at school anywhere in the world or homeschooled. Free.
What to submitOne individual written essay responding to one challenge question.
LengthUp to 1,000 words, excluding references.
EvidenceCite your sources in any consistent style.
FormatWritten in the entry form on this site. You can paste from a document. Don't include your name or school in your essay.
LanguageEnglish.
Use of AIYou may use AI tools to brainstorm, explain a concept, find sources and check spelling and grammar. You may not use AI to write, rewrite or structure your essay: the argument and the words must be your own. Declare any AI use when you submit. All entries are checked for originality. Read the full AI policy
PublicationFinalists' names, photos and entries are published only with consent from the student and, for under-18s, a parent or guardian. You keep the rights to your work.
DeadlineRound 1: 28 February 2027, 23:59 UTC. Round 2: 15 June 2027, 23:59 UTC. No video, application or fee required.
Enter the competition
Choose your challenge and submit your essay by 28 February 2027 (Round 1) or 15 June 2027 (Round 2). No account needed. Your draft is kept on your device as you write.
Start your entry
Not ready yet?
Register your interest to receive the deadlines, judging criteria and learning material by email. Teachers can register on behalf of a class.
Register interest
Why enter
A serious question. Choose something that matters, research it properly and defend a position of your own.
Fair judging. First-round judges see your work, not your name or school.
Publication. Finalists are published online in the annual Ten Years From Now online edition.
Recognition. Top 10% Distinction · Top 50 Shortlisted · Top 20 Finalists · Challenge Winners · Grand Prize.
How it works
1
ChooseAny time
Pick one of the three challenge tracks. You can read all three questions, the judging criteria and the learning material before you decide. You enter one track only.
Judging
Entries are assessed in three stages under the direction of a Chair of Judges. Every eligible entry is assessed against the same six published criteria.
Stages
1
First roundTrained first-round assessors, calibrated against the published rubric, read every eligible entry with the author's name and school removed.Result: Distinction (top 10%) and a Shortlist of 50, allocated across the three tracks in proportion to entries
2
Specialist judging panelEach shortlisted entry is read independently by at least two specialist judges from its track.Result: 20 Finalists, with at least five from each track
3
Final panel and Chair of JudgesThe panel, led by the Chair of Judges, selects the Challenge Winners and the Grand Prize. Students' Choice voting runs separately and does not inform these decisions.Result: Challenge Winners and Grand Prize
Criteria
InsightIdentifies what matters most about the question, including what is often overlooked.
EvidenceSupports claims with relevant sources and data, cited accurately.
OriginalityReaches a position of the writer's own rather than restating common views.
ReasoningEach step of the argument follows from the last, and objections are addressed.
FeasibilityWhere relevantWhere a proposal is made, considers cost, practicality and who would need to act.
ClarityWritten precisely enough to be followed by a non-specialist.
The judging panel
The final awards are decided by an expert judging panel of academics, practitioners and founders. Behind them, a team of trained first-round assessors reads every eligible entry.
"[Placeholder statement from the Chair on what the panel looks for in an entry.]"
Awards
In each round| Award | How many | Selected by | What you receive |
|---|---|---|---|
Distinction |
How many: Top 10% | Selected by: First-round judges | Digital certificate of Distinction |
Shortlisted |
How many: 50 | Selected by: First-round judges | Physical certificate, posted to your school |
Finalist |
How many: 20 | Selected by: Final panel | Everything in Shortlisted, plus: Entry published in the annual online edition Place on the Students' Choice ballot Finalists' Day at an Oxford college, in person or online Travel bursary of up to $400 for in-person attendance |
Challenge Winner |
How many: 1 per track (3) | Selected by: Final panel | Everything in Finalist, plus: $650 Entry featured with judges' commentary in the annual online edition Online mentoring session with a judge from the track panel |
Grand Prize |
How many: 1, from both rounds | Selected by: Final panel | Everything in Challenge Winner, plus: $6,000 Ten Years From Now Education Award, to support an educational experience, research project or learning opportunity of the winner's choice Lead essay in the annual online edition One-to-one online session with the Chair of Judges |
Students' Choice |
How many: 1, from both rounds | Selected by: Verified student vote | $300 Feature in the annual online edition Separate from the expert awards |
Distinction, Shortlisted, Finalist and Challenge Winner awards are made in each round. The Grand Prize and Students' Choice are awarded once, from both rounds, on 20 August 2027. Online sessions include a member of Succeed staff.Past winners will be listed here from 2028.
Students choose too.
Finalist entries from each round are published after expert judging. Verified students around the world can read them and vote for one entry in the Students' Choice Award.
Student voting is separate from the expert awards. Vote first; the live leaderboard appears afterwards.
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Key dates
Entries open
Round 1 closes
Round 1 results
Round 2 closes
Round 2 results, Grand Prize and Students' Choice
For educators
Share Ten Years From Now with your students
Free to enter worldwide for students aged 14–18. The school pack has everything you need to tell students and colleagues.
One-page overview · Poster · Newsletter and email copy · Key dates · Eligibility · Judging methodology
Get the school pack More for educators
What should come next?
Register interest for the key dates, or start your entry. Round 1 closes 28 February 2027.