Call for Submissions: European Union–UAE Essay Competition 2026
Are you interested in reflecting on Europe’s role in Gulf security and exploring opportunities to strengthen cooperation between Europe and the United Arab Emirates? This is your chance to share your ideas and contribute to the conversation on the future of international cooperation.
About the Competition
The Delegation of the European Union to the United Arab Emirates invites undergraduate and master’s students enrolled in UAE universities to participate in the European Union–UAE Essay Competition 2026.
2026 Edition Theme: Security Cooperation
At a time of a rapidly evolving security landscape in the Gulf region, students are invited to explore Europe’s role in regional security cooperation and to present well-researched, analytical contributions that assess challenges, opportunities, and forward-looking approaches to cooperation.
Guiding question:
What is Europe’s role in Gulf security cooperation and where do you see opportunities for deepening partnerships in the security domain?
Who Can Apply?
The competition is open to:
- Undergraduate and Master’s students enrolled in UAE universities
- Students studying relevant disciplines are particularly encouraged to apply, including:
- European Studies / EU Studies
- International Relations
- Political Science and Political Economy
- Diplomacy and International Affairs
- Global Governance
What’s in it for You?
- Ten selected essays will be published by the EU Delegation on its website.
- The top three authors will receive a Certificate of Recognition and an invitation to the Europe Day reception on 8 May 2026 in Abu Dhabi.
How to Apply:
-
Submit your original essay (max. 2,000 words, in English) via the submission form by 14 April 2026.
Submission Guidelines
-
Max 2,000 words | Font size: 12 | Line spacing: 1.5
-
Language: English
-
Include citations where appropriate
-
Must be original and authored by the applicant
-
Essays should demonstrate:
- Original thinking
- Analytical depth
- Evidence-based research
- Clear argumentation
- Policy relevance
- Diversity of sources
Key Dates
- Launch of the competition: 24 March 2026
- Essay submission deadline: 14 April 2026
- Announcement of selected essays: 1 May 2026
Assessment Criteria
|
Criteria |
Description |
Max Points |
|
1. Understanding of EU-UAE Relations |
Grasp of the current strategic context and EU-UAE relations |
20 points |
|
2. Relevance and Innovation of Ideas |
Original and feasible ideas, forward-looking and grounded in facts |
10 points |
|
3. Structure and Clarity |
Logical flow, clear intro and conclusion, strong organization |
10 points |
|
4. Critical Thinking and Analysis |
Insight into challenges, policy gaps, and opportunities |
5 points |
|
5. Recommendations and Impact |
Practical and well-argued recommendations relevant to EU–Gulf cooperation |
5 points |
|
Total |
50 points |
|
If you have any questions please reach out to us at: delegation-united-arab-emirates@eeas.europa.eu
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