Shakhriniso Kholboeva
Founder & Director
Presidential School in Karshi, Uzbekistan
Inaugural Competition · 2026
Central Asia
Economics Prize
A free economics essay competition for high-school students exploring the economic questions shaping Central Asia.
Open worldwide · Central Asian focus required · Ages 14–19 · Maximum 1,200 words · English · Free entry
2026 submissions are now closed.Preliminary Review Completed — Final Judging in Progress
Economics.Evidence.Central Asia.
2026 Competition Update
CAEP 2026 —
Final Judging in Progress
The CAEP 2026 finalist essays are currently under review by our final judging panel. We appreciate your patience and look forward to announcing the results soon. Stay tuned for updates!
CAEP 2026 received 182 submissions. After the review process, just 12 essays advanced to the Final Round — placing them among the top 6.6% of all entries.
Shortlisted participants have been contacted directly and their essays are now being evaluated by the CAEP Final Judging Panel.
Preliminary Review Completed — Final Judging in ProgressOur Global Reach
Ideas from 34
Countries and Territories.
In its inaugural year, the Central Asia Economics Prize brought together young thinkers from across the world to examine the economic challenges shaping Central Asia.
Submissions received · Select a country or marker, or use the country list below.
Historical submission data · 2026
Explore all 34 countries and territories
01 — About
Economics rooted
in the region.
The Central Asia Economics Prize is a free economics essay competition for high-school students aged 14–19.
Students from any country may participate, but all essays must directly engage with the economic context of Central Asia. Participants choose one of four economics questions and submit an individual essay of no more than 1,200 words in English.
The competition encourages students to develop evidence-based arguments, engage with competing perspectives, and apply economic reasoning to real problems.
Organizing Team
The people
behind CAEP.
The organizing team founded and runs the Central Asia Economics Prize. It is separate from the preliminary reviewers and final judging panel.
Bunyod Kabiljanov
Co-Founder & Academic Lead
Presidential School in Karshi, Uzbekistan
Komilkhon Norkhujaev
Co-Founder & Operations Lead
Presidential School in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Anis Pulatov
Graphic Designer
Presidential School in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
02 — Competition
Who can
take part?
The competition is open to high-school students aged 14–19 at the submission deadline. Students from any country may participate, but every essay must directly engage with Central Asia.
Central Asian focus
One country, several countries, or the region as a whole.
Central Asia primarily includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Students are not required to discuss all five countries.
- Free entry
- Individual submissions only
- One essay per participant
- English language only
03 — Questions
Four questions.
Your argument.
Choose one of the four official categories and answer its question. Each invites careful economic reasoning, credible evidence, and an independent response grounded in Central Asia.
04 — Full rules
Clear standards.
Fair participation.
05 — Judging
A careful and
independent process.
Essays are anonymized for review. Preliminary review has concluded, and the 12 shortlisted essays are now in the Final Round for independent evaluation by the final judging panel.
Assessment principles
What strong essays
demonstrate.
Strong essays will not simply describe an economic issue. They should develop a clear argument, use relevant evidence, engage seriously with competing explanations or counterarguments, and reach a well-supported conclusion.
CAEP 2026
Final Judging
Panel
Current stage
Final Judging in Progress
The independent final judging panel is evaluating the essays that advanced from preliminary review.
06 — Awards
Recognition for
outstanding work.
Outstanding participants may receive opportunities for publication, academic recognition, and further engagement with economists and researchers.
WinningEssays
2026Central Asia Economics Prize
07 — Publication
Beyond the
competition.
CAEP intends to publish selected outstanding essays through an official digital collection of winning work.
Selected essays may also be recommended to external publications for independent editorial consideration where opportunities are confirmed.
08 — Academic connections
From essay to
further inquiry.
One objective of CAEP is to help promising students interact with the wider economics community.
Where possible, outstanding participants may be introduced to academics or policy professionals whose work relates to their interests. This may lead to discussion, feedback, reading recommendations, guidance on future writing, or potential future collaboration.
09 — 2026 Timeline
Competition
progress.
Current stageFinal Evaluation — In Progress
Results announcement: Coming Soon
10 — Results
2026 Results
Shortlisted participants have been contacted directly. Final results will be announced after the conclusion of the judging process.
Final Round
12 shortlisted essays
Category Winners
After final judging
Overall Winner
After final judging
Winning Essays
Publication links will follow the results
11 — Submission
Submissions
are now closed.
Submissions for the inaugural Central Asia Economics Prize 2026 closed on 24 September 2026 at 23:59 Uzbekistan Time (UTC+5). The four 2026 essay questions remain available above as part of the competition record.
12 — FAQ
Questions,
answered clearly.
13 — Contact
Questions?
Questions about eligibility, submissions, judging, or competition rules are welcome.