eon essay contest

Eon Essay Contest on The Precipice

About the scholarship.

The Eon Essay Contest on The Precipice scholarship is available to K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students. Residents of the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico, Canada (excluding Quebec), and the United Kingdom are eligible to apply. Recipients are chosen for their essay submission.

• Essay Required : Yes
• Need-Based : No
• Merit-Based : Yes
• Resident of the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico, Canada (excluding Quebec), and the United Kingdom
• Current K12, undergraduate, or graduate student
• Aged 13 to 24
• Country : US, CA, GB
• State : AL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MT, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, CA-AB, CA-BC, CA-MB, CA-NB, CA-NL, CA-NT, CA-NS, CA-NU, CA-ON, CA-PE, CA-SK, CA-YT

Effective Altruism Forum EA Forum

Announcing a student essay contest on the precipice.

Students are invited to enter an essay contest on The Precipice ! Please spread the word to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. 

What is the Eon Essay Contest?

The Eon Essay Contest is an essay contest for students with a top prize of 15,000 USD. Students read the book The Precipice: Existential Risk and the Future of Humanity by Toby Ord, a philosopher at Oxford University. Students then write an essay of up to 1,200 words. Further details and the essay prompts are available on the contest website .

Students who cannot otherwise access the book can request a free copy .

Why are you running this contest?

The Precipice discusses some of the most important issues of our time. It raises awareness about existential risks, which are risks that threaten humanity’s long-term potential. Addressing these risks may be among the most pressing moral issues of our time. This contest raises awareness about the importance of addressing these risks. 

For a summary of the ideas in the book, you can watch this twenty minute video . 

Who would be a good entrant?

Students who are curious and have the ability to carefully consider new ideas will be good entrants. Students with a wide range of interests are encouraged to enter. After all, as The Precipice says, 

Understanding [existential] risks requires delving into physics, biology, earth science and computer science; situating this in the larger story of humanity requires history and anthropology; discerning just how much is at stake requires moral philosophy and economics; and finding solutions requires international relations and political science.

High school, undergraduate, and graduate students from any country are invited to enter. We expect most entrants who will be able to engage critically with this material will be 16 or older, although younger students may enter. 

Need further details?

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

* * * 

How can you help?

• Please spread word about the contest to potential entrants, especially to students unfamiliar with effective altruism or longtermism . You may send these students a link to the contest website: www.eonessaycontest.com .
• Please spread word about the contest to any teachers, counselors, or other school staff you know. You may send these professionals all the information above the three star divider (* * *) as a blurb.
• If you are an undergraduate or graduate student familiar with EA and longtermism who would like to grade essays this summer, please fill out this short expression of interest form .

How can we collaborate?

• If you are running an outreach program for students, please email [email protected] . I may be able to send information about your program to students who participate in the essay contest.
• If you are thinking of running a similar outreach project and would like help or advice, please email [email protected] .

Who is funding this contest?

This contest is funded by a grant from Open Philanthropy . 

Neha Singh is responsible for running this contest. Akash Wasil worked with her to draft this announcement. We are grateful to Catherine Low for providing feedback on a draft of this post.

More posts like this

When do people start knowing if they moved on to the next part or when does the judging period end

Rules clarification: are current undergraduate students who will be graduating prior to the June 15th deadline eligible, provided that they submit their essay before they graduate?

Yes, they are. Thank you for asking; I've edited the website to try to make this clearer. 

The Winter cohort application deadline is November 24, 2024.  

Click here to apply.

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Winning the Eon Essay Contest - 8 Tips to Help You Ace It

Participating in essay contests, such as The Eon Essay Contest , empowers students to enrich their academic portfolios, refine their writing skills, and learn more about fundamentals in politics and society. This competition invites students aged 13 to 24 to analyze economic theory, existential risks, and the future of humanity, with a focus on Toby Ord's thought-provoking book, "The Precipice."

When you mention your participation and potential achievements in such an essay contest in your college admission process, it signals to admissions officers your intellectual curiosity, analytical abilities, and commitment to tackling real-world complexities. Admissions officers seek students who are not just academically accomplished but also curious and capable of independent, critical thinking. Your involvement in this prestigious contest demonstrates these qualities, making your college application stand out. It underscores your dedication to academic excellence, which is highly regarded in the eyes of admissions officers.

This comprehensive guide will provide an in-depth exploration of the contest, including eligibility criteria, submission requirements, distinct prompts tailored to different age brackets, and 8 tips for creating a winning essay.

Who is Eligible to Participate?

To participate, you must be a student aged 13 to 24, which includes grade-school, undergraduate, and graduate students. Such a large age range for those submitting essays makes the competition a lot more competitive, and thus a lot more prestigious since you are pitted against college students.

Submission Requirements

To enter, visit the Contest Site and complete the "Contest Entry Form" by the submission deadline, which is set at midnight Pacific Time on June 15, 2023. A complete entry includes:

A written essay in English, based on "The Precipice" by Toby Ord, responding to one of the prompts mentioned below.

The essay must not exceed 1,200 words in length, excluding the title, footnotes, endnotes, and citations.

The essay should be double-spaced and in PDF format.

The PDF file name should contain your name, while the essay itself should maintain anonymity.

Prompts for the Eon Essay Contest

There are three distinct prompts tailored to different age categories. This may change from year to year so be sure to check the official website to confirm what the judges are looking for.

3-18 age bracket:

Prompt: Pick a transformative technology you believe will be created someday. Imagine you hold a position of responsibility for it, whether as a scientist developing the technology, a government official regulating it, or a corporate executive selling it to the public. How would you approach your job to have the greatest chance of preserving humanity’s potential? What are the risks you face?

19-21 age bracket:

Prompt: If the ideas in this book are correct, what does that imply about what a group you are familiar with should be doing differently? What could incentivize them to do that? You may talk about a group like a research lab, a government body, a nonprofit, a media company, a corporation, or an international organization.

22-24 age bracket:

Prompt: What, according to you, is missing from this book? This missing piece can be data, analysis, or an argument. The missing piece can either strengthen or weaken a conclusion from the book.

Is the Eon Essay Contest Prestigious?

Prestige and recognition are critical factors to consider when deciding to participate in an essay contest. Prestige and recognition for essay contests is often associated with their funders. It is worth noting that the Eon Essay Contest received its funding from a grant from Open Philanthropy, a research and grantmaking foundation that makes grants based on the doctrine of “effective altruism.” Open Philanthropy, which is financed primarily by billionaire Facebook co-founder and Asana CEO Dustin Moskovitz and his wife Cari Tuna, who have demonstrated interest in the politics of Artificial Intelligence regulation.

The contest used a stringent grading system, with essays assessed on a scale from 0 to 40. Each essay had the potential to earn a maximum of 10 points in four crucial categories:

Writing style

Originality of ideas

Depth and sophistication of analysis

It's notable that fewer than 100 essays received a score of 30 or above. These exceptional essays closely followed the strategies outlined in the tips provided here. To simplify, if you submitted a well-written essay in the previous year's contest, your chances of securing the top prize were roughly 1% . The top prize in the contest carries an expected value of $15,000, though it's important to remember that winners were not chosen randomly, and multiple prizes were awarded in addition to the top prize.

While the monetary aspect is undoubtedly a factor, it is not the sole consideration when deciding whether to enter the contest. Another equally important factor is the opportunity for learning and exposure to profound ideas. All entrants to this contest are exposed to the vital concepts discussed in "The Precipice." If you find the book summary intriguing, this contest might serve as the motivation you need to access the book at a local library and start reading it.

8 Tips to Excel in The Eon Essay Contest:

Make sure you have a comprehensive understanding of the book and its key theme To embark on your journey to success in "The Precipice Essay Contest," it's crucial to approach it with a comprehensive understanding of the source material. Begin by reading "The Precipice" by Toby Ord attentively, ensuring you have a firm grasp of its core ideas and arguments. This is the foundation upon which your essay will be built. Dive into the book's contents, explore the nuances of Ord's perspective on existential risks, and identify the key takeaways that resonate with you. Developing a deep understanding of the source material will enable you to craft an insightful and meaningful essay that resonates with the contest's evaluators.

Research and cite key insights Crafting a winning essay demands comprehensive research to substantiate your arguments. After selecting your prompt, delve into the subject matter by gathering relevant information and data from credible sources. Reference academic journals, books, authoritative websites, and expert opinions to bolster your points with well-founded evidence. Citations and proper referencing are crucial to demonstrate the reliability of your sources. Well-supported arguments and a robust foundation of evidence will add depth and authenticity to your essay, setting it apart as a well-researched and credible piece.

Solidify your thesis Your thesis statement serves as the core of your essay, encapsulating your primary argument. It's essential to develop a clear and compelling thesis that aligns seamlessly with your chosen prompt. Your thesis should not only address the prompt but also present a unique perspective or argument. It's the "hook" that captures your readers' attention and guides them through the essay. A well-structured and thought-out thesis statement not only clarifies your point of view but also shapes the entire essay, ensuring a cohesive and convincing narrative.

Stick to the prompt and work on structure and organization One element of what makes this competition so prestigious for an essay contest is the competitiveness of winning the top award. In the previous edition of the contest, held in 2022, "The Precipice Essay Contest" received over 1,500 entries. However, it's important to note that only about 1,000 entries directly responded to the essay prompts. The remainder consisted of off-topic essays, many of which were originally written for other scholarship applications or as part of school assignments. The essay in the Entry must respond to the essay prompt for the entrant’s applicable Age Category. Address the prompt in a way that resonates authentically with your interests and expertise. This approach allows you to write from a place of genuine passion and insight. Effective organization is fundamental to the success of your essay. Ensure that your essay is well-structured with a logical flow. Begin with an engaging introduction that introduces the topic, highlights your thesis, and entices your readers to continue. Follow this with well-organized body paragraphs that present your arguments coherently, with each paragraph supporting a distinct aspect of your thesis. Finally, conclude with a concise yet impactful summary of your key points. A well-structured essay allows your readers to follow your arguments seamlessly and makes a lasting impression.

Refer to past entries of the Eon Essay Contest To gain a better understanding of what the judges are looking for and to refine your own approach, consider reviewing past winning entries and essays of distinction from the Eon Essay Contest. This can provide insights into the style, depth, and quality of writing that resonates with the contest evaluators. Pay attention to the themes, arguments, and the way previous winners have structured their essays. While you should always bring your unique perspective, drawing inspiration from past entries can be a valuable part of your preparation.

Write and revise Given the particular judging process of the Eon Essay Contest, writing and revising multiple drafts is crucial. After you've drafted your initial essay, take the time to review and refine it. Pay close attention to your thesis statement, arguments, and evidence. Ensure that your essay is well-structured and logically flows from one point to another. Eliminate any unnecessary or redundant content, and keep your writing concise and on point. Don't hesitate to seek feedback from teachers, mentors, or peers, and be open to making improvements based on their suggestions. Multiple revisions can help you fine-tune your essay and increase its chances of being recognized by the judges.

Seek constructive feedback Your essay will benefit significantly from external input. Share your essay with mentors, teachers, or peers who can provide valuable feedback. Multiple perspectives can enhance your arguments, improve clarity, and refine your overall presentation. Constructive criticism and suggestions from others can guide you in addressing potential weaknesses in your essay and strengthening your arguments. Once you've written your essay, the next critical step is meticulous editing. Scrutinize your essay thoroughly to eliminate any errors in grammar, spelling, and overall coherence. A well-edited essay not only reflects your attention to detail but also ensures that your message is conveyed clearly. It presents a polished and professional piece that leaves a strong impression on the evaluators.

Adhere to the word limit It is essential to strictly adhere to the 1,200-word limit imposed by the contest guidelines. Demonstrating your ability to convey your ideas concisely is not only a testament to your writing skills but also ensures that your essay meets the contest's requirements. Straying beyond the word limit can result in disqualification, making adherence to this constraint a fundamental aspect of your essay preparation.

By following these eight tips, you can enhance your chances of success and make a meaningful impact through your essay. Remember that this competition is not just about winning, but also about expanding your knowledge and fostering a deeper understanding of existential risks.

Participating in essay contests, such as the Eon Essay Contest, can significantly enhance your college admission prospects. It showcases your commitment to academic excellence, strong writing skills, critical thinking abilities, intellectual depth, and interest in learning new things.

Admissions officers value students who are academically accomplished and willing to explore complex ideas beyond the regular curriculum.

Engaging with thought-provoking essay prompts demonstrates your curiosity, initiative, and strong work ethic necessary for college success. Moreover, it provides an opportunity to earn scholarships, making it an attractive prospect for both your academic and financial future. Whether you win or not, incorporating your contest experience into your college application can create a unique and memorable personal statement that sets you apart from other applicants.

If you’d like to supplement your competitive experience with independent research, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs ! 

This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. 

You can find the application link here

One other option – Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you are passionate about research at the intersection of literature, culture, and art you could also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program , a selective online program for students I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

Image Source: The Precipice by Toby Ord

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Eon Essay Contest on The Precipice

Sponsored by: Eon Essay Contest

Apply Online

The Eon Essay Contest is open to all students (high school, undergraduate, and graduate) aged 13 to 24. To enter, you must read the book The Precipice by Toby Ord and write an essay of up to 1,200 words on one of the essay prompts provided on the contest website. The Precipice explores the science behind existential risks, which are risks that threaten the destruction of humanity’s long term potential. Ending these risks is among the most pressing moral issues of our time. One $15,000 prize, three $5,000 prizes, six $2,000 prizes.

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Eon Essay Contest — The Precipice Essay Contest (2023)

Open Philanthropy recommended a grant of $73,000 to Eon Essay Contest to support an essay contest on  The Precipice  by Toby Ord. This  contest  will award cash prizes to winners, and is open to high school students and young people in other age brackets.

This follows Open Philanthropy’s October 2021 support for the previous iteration of this contest and falls within its focus area of growing and empowering the EA community .

• Eon Essay Contest Website
• Open Philanthropy Grant Page

Scholarship provider is not currently accepting applications. Please view the scholarships page to access currently available scholarships.

Eon Essay Contest

To enter, you must be a student (grade-school, undergraduate, or graduate), read The Precipice, and submit an essay of up to 1,200 words on one of the prompts below.

Age 13-18 Bracket: Pick a transformative technology you think will be created someday. Imagine that you are in a position of responsibility for it. For example, you could be a scientist developing this technology, a government official regulating it, or a corporate executive selling it to the public. How would you approach your job to have the greatest chance of preserving humanity’s potential? What are the risks you face?

Age 19-21 Bracket: If the ideas in this book are correct, what does that imply about what a group you are familiar with should be doing differently? What could incentivize them to do that? You may talk about a group like a research lab, a government body, a nonprofit, a media company, a corporation, or an international organization.

Age 22+ Bracket: What, according to you, is missing from this book? This missing piece can be data, analysis, or an argument. The missing piece can either strengthen or weaken a conclusion from the book.

Create a free account and automatically be entered to win our monthly $1,000 Easy Money Scholarship

Eligibility Requirements

• [email protected]
• (650) 338-8226

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Winning the EON Essay Contest: 13 Tips to Help You Ace It

By Eric Eng

In an era where the youth are increasingly called upon to tackle the grand challenges of our time, the EON Essay Contest emerges as a compelling platform for voices seeking to shape the future. This unique competition invites students to engage deeply with existential risks to humanity, as outlined in Toby Ord’s seminal work, “ The Precipice: Existential Risk and the Future of Humanity .” The contest is not just an academic exercise; it’s a clarion call to the next generation to ponder, debate, and articulate pathways to safeguard the collective future of our species.

Winning the EON Essay Contest signifies more than academic accolade; it represents a participant’s ability to synthesize complex ideas. For aspiring winners, this contest offers a rare opportunity to contribute to the global dialogue on existential risks. This conversation is crucial for the long-term survival and flourishing of humanity.

What Is the EON Essay Contest?

The genesis of the EON Essay Contest is deeply rooted in the principles of effective altruism. This movement seeks to apply reason and evidence to the most effective ways to improve the world. By focusing on existential risks, the contest underscores the profound importance of addressing threats that can obliterate humanity’s potential or significantly derail our progress.

The contest draws inspiration from “The Precipice,” a work that meticulously catalogs and analyzes these risks, from artificial intelligence to pandemics. It offers a sobering yet hopeful perspective on humanity’s ability to navigate its current precipice.

Who Can Participate?

The contest’s open invitation to students across various educational stages and disciplines underlines a fundamental belief. Everyone has a stake in humanity’s future, and solutions to existential risks can and should come from all corners of society.

By setting the stage for students from diverse backgrounds to contribute, the contest democratizes the discourse around existential risks, encouraging a diversity of voices to partake in shaping our collective destiny.

Whether participants are future scientists, policymakers, artists, or philosophers, the contest recognizes the intrinsic value of their ideas in steering humanity away from the brink. For those aspiring to win the EON Essay Contest, it’s an unparalleled chance to be part of a global effort to ensure a safer, more hopeful future for all.

How Can Students Enter the Contest?

Entering the EON Essay Contest is a strategic process that requires attention to detail and adherence to specific criteria, making the journey towards winning the EON Essay Contest a testament to a participant’s commitment and academic prowess.

To embark on this path, students must first ensure they meet the contest’s eligibility criteria, designed to foster wide participation from youths aged 13 to 24 . This age range spans from middle school students to those in graduate programs, capturing a broad spectrum of perspectives and insights on the pressing existential risks facing humanity.

The contest extends its reach to full-time and part-time students, including those planning to enroll in the upcoming academic year, thus encompassing various academic statuses. This inclusivity reflects the contest’s underlying goal: to engage young thinkers from various backgrounds in meaningful discourse on navigating and mitigating existential risks, broadening the conversation to include fresh, innovative ideas that could shape our collective future.

13 Tips for Writing a Compelling Essay at the Eon Essay Contest

Crafting a compelling essay for the EON Essay Contest involves more than just showcasing your writing skills; it requires a deep understanding of the subject matter, an ability to engage critically with the themes of “The Precipice,” and the creativity to present your ideas clearly and persuasively. Here are 13 tips to help you excel in your submission:

1- Thoroughly Understand “The Precipice”

Thoroughly understanding “The Precipice” by Toby Ord is the cornerstone for anyone aiming at winning the EON Essay Contest. This pivotal first step involves delving deep into Ord’s exploration of existential risks, which range from familiar threats like nuclear war to emerging dangers such as artificial intelligence and engineered pandemics.

To excel in the contest, participants must not only grasp the factual content of the book but also engage with its underlying themes and arguments. This deep comprehension allows contestants to craft essays that resonate with the contest’s evaluative criteria, emphasizing originality, depth of analysis, and the ability to connect theoretical concepts with practical implications for humanity’s future.

Participants should approach the book critically, questioning and reflecting on Ord’s propositions and considering how these ideas apply to the broader context of contemporary global challenges.

2-  Select the Right Prompt for You

Selecting the right prompt for you is a strategic step that plays a significant role in winning the EON Essay Contest. This choice is not merely about picking a question but about identifying the prompt that aligns with your strengths, interests, and the depth of understanding you have of “The Precipice.” Each prompt is designed to cater to different age groups and intellectual curiosities, offering a spectrum of angles from which to explore the existential risks highlighted by Toby Ord.

The right prompt for you is the one that sparks a genuine curiosity and enthusiasm, enabling you to delve deep into analysis and argumentation with a personal touch. It’s about finding the question that resonates with your personal experiences, academic interests, or philosophical inclinations, thereby allowing you to craft an essay that is not only insightful and well-reasoned but also imbued with a sense of personal conviction and originality.

When contestants choose a prompt that speaks to them, they can leverage their unique perspectives and insights, enhancing their submissions’ richness and depth. This strategic selection is pivotal, as it sets the stage for an engaging and compelling essay, which is a critical factor in distinguishing your entry in the pursuit of winning the EON Essay Contest.

3- Brainstorm and Outline Your Ideas

Brainstorming and outlining your ideas are pivotal steps in crafting a submission capable of winning the EON Essay Contest. This process begins with a comprehensive brainstorming session where you allow your creativity and knowledge from “The Precipice” to guide your initial thoughts and perspectives on the chosen prompt. It’s a time to explore various angles, connect different dots, and consider the implications of existential risks on humanity’s future.

Through brainstorming, you can uncover unique insights and form connections that might not be immediately obvious, providing a rich foundation for building your essay. Following this, creating a detailed outline is crucial.

An outline serves as a roadmap for your essay, organizing your thoughts and ensuring that your argument flows logically from one point to the next. This step is about structuring your essay to maximize its impact arranging your ideas so they build upon each other and lead to a compelling conclusion.

4- Craft a Strong Thesis Statement

Crafting a strong thesis statement is a crucial component in the architecture of an essay that aims to win the EON Essay Contest. This statement is the keystone of your essay, anchoring your insights, arguments, and the direction of your discourse.

A powerful thesis succinctly presents your central argument or position in response to the selected prompt. It sets the stage for a detailed exploration of the themes discussed in “The Precipice.” It should be specific enough to give your essay a clear focus yet broad enough for a comprehensive discussion across its body. This balance is critical as it guides the development of your argument, ensuring that each paragraph contributes meaningfully to the overall narrative.

A well-crafted thesis statement encapsulates the essence of your argument and signals to the judges your ability to engage critically and creatively with the contest’s themes. It’s your first opportunity to make an impression, to assert the relevance and originality of your perspective on existential risks and their implications for humanity.

5- Use Evidence and Examples

Using evidence and examples effectively is indispensable for crafting an essay that stands a chance at winning the EON Essay Contest. This approach involves grounding your arguments in concrete details, data, and real-world instances that illustrate the themes and risks discussed in “The Precipice.”

Integrating relevant examples and evidence enriches your essay, making your arguments more compelling and persuasive. This technique demonstrates your thorough understanding of the subject matter and ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.

For instance, when discussing the potential risks of artificial intelligence, citing specific advancements in AI, alongside expert opinions or historical precedents, can vividly bring to life the urgency and significance of these concerns.

6- Show Originality in Thought

Showing originality in thought is a critical strategy for those aspiring to win the EON Essay Contest. This dimension of your essay is where your unique perspective, innovative ideas, and creative approaches to the themes of “The Precipice” shine through.

Originality means venturing beyond the book’s analysis to offer fresh insights, propose novel solutions to existential risks, or draw unexpected connections between the book’s themes and other disciplines or current events. It’s about demonstrating your ability to think independently, critically, and imaginatively about humanity’s future and challenges.

This involves presenting new ideas and entails a unique synthesis of the book’s content with your reflections, experiences, or scholarly research. Your essay transcends a mere summary of “The Precipice,” transforming into a compelling narrative that adds value to the conversation on existential risks.

Judges of the EON Essay Contest seek essays that push boundaries, challenge conventional wisdom, and exhibit a deep engagement with the material.

7- Maintain a Clear Structure

Maintaining a clear structure is essential for constructing an essay that resonates with the judges and enhances your chances of winning the EON Essay Contest. A well-organized essay facilitates a smoother reading experience and ensures that your arguments and ideas are conveyed with maximum impact and coherence.

This begins with an introduction that sets the stage for your discussion, outlining the central thesis and how you plan to explore it about the themes of “The Precipice.” Following this, body paragraphs should each focus on a single point or aspect of your argument, logically sequenced to build upon each other and support your thesis. Each paragraph should start with a clear topic sentence, followed by evidence, analysis, and reflection related to your main argument.

Finally, a strong conclusion is crucial, summarizing your key points and reinforcing the significance of your thesis in the broader context of existential risks and humanity’s future. By adhering to this structured approach, your essay demonstrates your ability to organize and present complex ideas effectively.

8- Write Clearly and Concisely

Writing clearly and concisely is paramount for those aiming to enhance their prospects of winning the EON Essay Contest. This approach ensures that your ideas are communicated effectively, allowing readers to grasp the essence of your arguments without being bogged down by unnecessary complexity or verbosity.

Clear writing involves using straightforward language accessible to a broad audience avoiding jargon that might obscure your points. Conversely, conciseness involves distilling your thoughts to their most potent form, eliminating redundancies, and focusing on the most impactful information that directly supports your thesis.

This discipline in writing demonstrates your respect for the reader’s time and attention and reflects your ability to think and communicate precisely. This skill is highly valued in the academic and intellectual exploration of existential risks, as highlighted in “The Precipice.”

9- Engage with Ethical Considerations

Engaging with ethical considerations is a critical facet of producing an essay that resonates deeply with the themes of “The Precipice” and significantly boosts your chances of winning the EON Essay Contest.

This engagement demonstrates your capacity to grapple with the profound moral questions underpinning the discussion of existential risks, showing an understanding that these issues extend beyond technical or scientific challenges to core human values and principles.

By thoughtfully examining the ethical dimensions of potential future scenarios, including our responsibilities towards future generations, the balance between innovation and caution, and the equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, you contribute to a nuanced debate central to the contest’s aims.

10. Edit and Revise Your Work

Rigorously editing and revising your work is an indispensable step toward winning the EON Essay Contest, embodying the refinement and precision that distinguish outstanding essays from merely good ones.

This iterative process involves critically evaluating your essay’s structure, content, and clarity to enhance its coherence, strengthen its arguments, and eliminate errors or ambiguities. Effective editing goes beyond mere proofreading for grammar and spelling; it requires you to assess the logical flow of your ideas, the relevance of your examples, and the persuasiveness of your arguments.

Revising your work means being willing to rework sections that don’t contribute effectively to your thesis to ensure every paragraph, every sentence, and every word serves a purpose. Such thorough refinement underscores your commitment to presenting a polished, compelling piece that meets the contest’s standards for clarity and conciseness and demonstrates a deep engagement with the ethical, philosophical, and practical implications of existential risks.

11. Follow Submission Guidelines

Following submission guidelines meticulously is fundamental for contestants aspiring to elevate their chances of winning the EON Essay Contest. These guidelines, which detail requirements on format, length, and submission process, serve as the framework for your essay to be crafted and presented.

Adherence to these specifications is not just about compliance; it signals to the judges your attention to detail and respect for the contest’s standards, setting a professional tone for your submission.

The guidelines often include specifics on word count, formatting preferences (such as font type and size, margin widths, and line spacing), and the process for submitting your essay, including deadlines and any necessary forms or cover sheets.

12. Seek Feedback

Seeking feedback is a pivotal strategy for anyone focused on winning the EON Essay Contest, as it opens the door to invaluable insights that can refine and elevate your essay. This process involves sharing your draft with teachers, mentors, peers, or anyone whose judgment and expertise you trust to gain perspectives that might differ from yours.

Constructive criticism is a goldmine for improvement, offering you the chance to see your work through the eyes of others, identify weaknesses you might have overlooked, and discover new angles or ideas to strengthen your argument.

This collaborative aspect of essay writing enriches your submission by incorporating diverse viewpoints enhancing your argument’s clarity, coherence, and impact. Moreover, feedback can highlight areas where your explanations may need to be clearer to others as they seem to you, ensuring that your final submission communicates your ideas effectively to a broad audience.

13. Reflect on Your Personal Connection

Reflecting on your personal connection to the topics discussed in “The Precipice” and how these issues resonate with your own experiences, beliefs, or aspirations can significantly enhance your essay, imbuing it with authenticity and depth that could be decisive in winning the EON Essay Contest.

This introspective approach allows you to weave your narrative or personal journey into the broader discourse on existential risks, providing a unique lens through which to examine and articulate these complex challenges. It’s about grounding the global and abstract issues in the personal and concrete, making your essay more relatable and engaging for the readers.

Such personal reflections can also illuminate the passion and motivation behind your participation in the contest, showcasing your commitment to the intellectual exercise and the cause itself. This connection can manifest in various ways, from a personal anecdote that mirrors the thematic concerns of the contest to a deeply held value or concern about the future of humanity that has driven you to seek solutions or engage with these critical issues.

How Can the EON Essay Contest Benefit Students?

Participating in and potentially winning the EON Essay Contest offers students many benefits beyond prestige and monetary rewards. One of the most significant advantages is the educational value and learning opportunities it presents.

Through engaging with “The Precipice” by Toby Ord, students are exposed to a wide array of existential risks and ethical considerations that humanity faces. This broadens their knowledge base and sharpens their critical thinking and analytical skills. The requirement to articulate their thoughts and solutions in a coherent and compelling essay further enhances their academic writing abilities.

Additionally, the contest encourages participants to delve into interdisciplinary research, combining insights from philosophy, technology, environmental science, and political theory to construct their arguments.

In the quest for winning the EON Essay Contest, aspiring participants are tasked with showcasing their understanding and critical analysis of existential risks and demonstrating a unique blend of creativity, critical thinking, and a deep commitment to addressing some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.

The 13 tips provided herein serve as a comprehensive guide for students to enhance their submissions, ranging from profoundly understanding “The Precipice” to reflecting on personal connections to the themes discussed. Each tip, while distinct, contributes to a holistic approach to crafting an essay that stands out for its clarity, depth, and originality.

Winning the EON Essay Contest, therefore, represents more than an academic achievement; it signifies a commitment to contributing to the global dialogue on existential risks and to the ongoing efforts to safeguard the future of humanity. For participants, the journey towards this goal is as enriching as the destination, offering a unique opportunity to be part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the world.

Want to assess your chances of admission? Take our FREE chances calculator today!

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Eon Essay Contest — The Precipice Essay Contest (2023)

Table of contents.

Open Philanthropy recommended a grant of $73,000 to Eon Essay Contest to support an essay contest on  The Precipice  by Toby Ord. This  contest  will award cash prizes to winners, and is open to high school students and young people in other age brackets.

This follows our  October 2021 support for the previous iteration of this contest and  falls within our focus area of growing and empowering the community of people focused on global catastrophic risk reduction .

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The Eon Essay Contest - Overview & How To Win

Indigo Research Team

A college application that states your participation and potential achievements signals the admissions officers about your analytical abilities, commitment to handling real-world issues and intellectual curiosity. 

The Eon Essay Contest empowers students by refining their writing skills, enriching their academic portfolio and learning the fundamentals of politics and society. 

This contest helps the participants analyze economic theory, existential risks, and the future of humanity. The Eon Essay Contest on ‘The Precipice’ revolves around the thought-provoking book by Toby Ord. 

Keep reading to learn what is Eon all about!

What is the Eon Essay Contest?

The Eon Essay Contests is a non-profit effective altruism that focuses on doing good better. Effective altruism is a research field and a practical community that enables people to find the best ways to help others and put them into practice. 

At the Eon, they use reason and evidence to do good. The essay context is about raising awareness of why it is important to avoid existential risks. 

Existential risks are the ones that threaten the future of humanity, such as pandemics, artificial intelligence and nuclear warfare. These risks should be avoided so that the future of the next generations is secured and they flourish. 

What is the Assessment Criteria?

Admission officers are on the lookout for students who walk the extra mile. Your involvement in such a prestigious contest reflects positively on your college application, underscoring your commitment to academic excellence. 

The essays are assessed on a scale from 0-40 using a stringent grading system. The Eon Essays receive a maximum of 10 points for each of the below-mentioned categories:

•     Knowledge
•     Writing style
•     Originality of ideas
•     Depth and sophistication of analysis

Who is Eligible to Participate?

High school, undergraduate and graduate students aged 13-24 are eligible to participate. The contest becomes competitive with an age range so wide. Since you are pitted against college students, the contest is more competitive. 

The Eon Essay Submission Requirements

For the Eon essay contest on the Precipice, you must read it and submit a 1500-word essay on one of the prompts below by midnight Pacific Time on June 15, 2024. 

• A written essay in English, based on "The Precipice" by Toby Ord, responding to one of the prompts below.
• The essay must be at most 1,500 words in length, excluding the title, footnotes, endnotes, and citations.
• The essay should be double-spaced and in PDF format.
• The PDF file should contain your name, while the essay should be anonymous.

Prompts For The Eon Essay Contest

Following the different age categories, there are three distinctive prompts (these change year to year; do confirm from the official website before applying) :

13-18 Age Bracket

Pick a transformative technology that has a chance of being created someday. Imagine you are responsible for handling it. For instance, you could be the scientist behind the development of the technology, a government official regulating it, or a corporate executive selling it to the general public. 

How would you approach your job to have the greatest chance of preserving humanity’s potential? What are the risks you face?

19-21 Age Bracket

If the ideas in this book are correct, what does that imply about what a group you are familiar with should be doing differently? What could incentivize them to do that? You may talk about a group like a research lab, a government body, a non-profit, a media company, a corporation, or an international organization.

22-24 Age Bracket

According to you, what is missing from this book? This missing piece can strengthen or weaken the conclusion. This missing piece can be data, analysis, or an argument. 

8 Tips to Ace The Eon Essay Contest

Now let’s go through the 8 tips that will help you ace the contest and win the essay prize.

1. Comprehensive Understanding of the Book 

Ensure you have read “The Precipice '' by Toby Ord thoroughly and completely understand the theme. The source material is the foundation of your essay, so ensure a firm grasp of the core ideas and arguments presented. 

You must build the essay's contents on the book’s contents, dig deep, and explore the author's blended approach and perspective on existential risks. Make a note of the key takeaways that you find relatable. 

Understanding the source material will help you craft an insightful essay that the contest evaluators find relatable. 

2. Research To Substantiate And Cite Key Insights 

A winning essay for such scholarship essay competitions is always backed by comprehensive research that substantiates your arguments. Set your essay apart as an authentic, researched, credible piece supported by arguments and evidence. 

Once you have selected your prompt, focus on the topic and start collecting relevant data from credible sources such as authoritative websites, books, academic journals, and expert opinion to support your evidence. 

Demonstrate the reliability of your sources with proper citations and referencing. 

3. Strengthen Your Thesis With A Well-Structured Thesis Statement

Encapsulating the essence of the essay, your thesis statement is at the core of your essay. So make sure your thesis statement is clear, compelling, well structured, well thought out and in sync with your prompt choice. 

A good thesis statement is like a “hook” that captures the reader's attention and steers them through the thesis with a convincing narrative. 

4. Follow The Prompt To The Letter And Structure Accordingly

The competitiveness of winning The Precipice Scholarship makes this competition so prestigious. In 2022, the Eon contest received over 1500 entries, but only 1000 entries responded directly to the prompt. So do not take it lightly; stay focused.

Participants must respond to the essay prompt relevant to their age category. The key to addressing the prompts is to do so in a way you find relatable to your interests and expertise. This approach helps you write a genuine piece straight from the heart and reflects passion and insight. 

Make sure your essay is well-structured and has a logical flow. Ideally, it would help to begin with an engaging introduction, highlighting the thesis and interests your readers to continue reading. A good essay flow would ensure seamless reading and leave a lasting impression.

Follow this with well-organized body paragraphs presenting your arguments one after the other coherently. Finally, conclude with an impactful summary stating the main highlights.

5. Refer To Past Entries Of The Eon Essay Contest

Review the past winning entries from the Eon Essay Contest to understand what the judges are looking for, and refine your approach accordingly.

Past essays of distinction can provide insight into the details, style and quality of writing that resonates with the contest evaluators. See how previous winners have structured their themes, pay attention and create a unique perspective.

6. Write And Proofread

The judging process of the contest requires writing and revising several drafts, so take your time to review and refine. 

Pay attention to your thesis statement, arguments and evidence; all should be in sync and have a smooth, logical flow of points. Keep your writing concise and to the point. Remove redundant thoughts. 

Multiple revisions can help fine-tune your essay, increasing its chances of being appreciated by the judges. 

7. Seek Constructive Feedback

Seek feedback from peers, mentors and teachers, be open to criticism and make improvements based on their suggestions. Your essay will benefit from external input from another set of eyes. 

Multiple perspectives and constructive criticism can enhance clarity, strengthen your arguments and refine the presentation of your essay. 

A well-edited essay shows you pay attention to detail and ensures your message is conveyed clearly. Check spelling, eliminate grammatical errors and improve overall coherence to provide a polished professional piece that leaves the evaluators in awe. 

8. Comply To The Word Limit

Significantly, you adhere to the 1500-word limit according to the contest guidelines to keep up with the essay challenge. Concisely convey your ideas. Going beyond the world limit can result in disqualification. 

Wrapping Up!

Participating in essay contests, such as the Eon Essay Contest, can boost your chances for college admission. Adhering to the following eight tips can increase your likelihood of triumph and deliver a compelling essay that leaves a lasting impression. 

A good essay is backed by excellent research. Targeted at 14-19-year-old high school students, Indigo's IRIS Program is an online format that offers courses in Politics & History, Comp Science, Psychology, AI, Genetics, Entrepreneurship and Engineering. 

Coming from some of the most prominent educational institutes, including Cornell, Columbia, Harvard and Stanford, the IRIS program is backed by excellent mentors, professors and researchers. These outstanding professionals can polish your skills to appear in The Eon Scholarship Essay Contest.

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Eon Essay Contest

The Eon Essay Contest is an effective altruism-aligned nonprofit; they believe in using reason and evidence to do good. They are raising awareness about the importance of avoiding existential risks. 

Scholarship type

Number of scholarships to award, scholarship coverage.

• tuition fee reduction

Description

Eon Essay Contest is open to all students (high school, undergraduate, and graduate) between 13 and 24. To enter, you must read the book The Precipice by Toby Ord and write an essay on one of the essay prompts provided on the contest website. The Precipice explores the science behind existential risks, which are risks that threaten the destruction of humanity’s longterm potential. Ending these risks is among the most pressing moral issues of our time.

Applicable programmes

The $15,000 first place winner will be selected from all entrants.

The three $5,000 second place winners will be selected one from each age bracket.

The six $2,000 third place winners will be selected two from each age bracket.

Eligibility

• Full-time and part-time students are eligible if they are either (1) enrolled during the 2023-24 school year OR (2) will be enrolled during the 2024-25 school year.
• You are eligible to enter if you are a legal resident of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia (but not Puerto Rico), Canada (excluding the province of Quebec), or the United Kingdom.
• To enter, you must be a student (grade-school, undergraduate, or graduate) aged 13 to 24, read The Precipice, and submit an essay.

Scholarship requirements

Disciplines, nationality, study experience required, application, application deadline.

Submit an essay of up to 1,500 words on one of the prompts below by midnight Pacific Time on June 15, 2024. 

13-18 Age Bracket

Pick a transformative technology you think will be created someday. Imagine that you are in a position of responsibility for it. 

19-21 Age Bracket

If the ideas in this book are correct, what does that imply about what a group you are familiar with should be doing differently? What could incentivize them to do that? You may talk about a group like a research lab, a government body, a nonprofit, a media company, a corporation, or an international organization.

22-24 Age Bracket

What, according to you, is missing from this book? This missing piece can be data, analysis, or an argument. The missing piece can either strengthen or weaken a conclusion from the book.

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