Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
Applications are open for the Student Competition, an opportunity for students from all academic disciplines to investigate, analyze, and report on major global, political, economic, and social issues through original journalistic writing. The competition encourages emerging writers to produce rigorous, field-based journalism that sheds light on contemporary challenges, overlooked stories, and important international developments.
The winning article will be published in the magazine’s monthly edition at the end of 2026 and the selected author will receive financial compensation for publication.
Overview
The Student Competition is designed to encourage students to engage in journalism by producing original reporting on issues that shape societies around the world.
Unlike academic essays, the competition emphasizes journalistic investigation, firsthand observation, interviews, and evidence-based reporting. Participants are encouraged to explore underreported topics, emerging trends, political developments, economic transformations, and social challenges through accessible and compelling storytelling.
The initiative seeks to support the next generation of journalists by providing students with a platform to publish meaningful work regardless of their academic background or previous journalism experience.
Award and Publication Opportunity
The selected winner will receive:
- Publication of the winning article in the magazine’s monthly edition at the end of 2026
- Financial compensation for publication
- Editorial recognition from a professional jury
- Exposure to a broader readership interested in international affairs and social issues
While the exact remuneration amount has not been specified, compensation is provided to the selected author upon publication.
Competition Objectives
The competition aims to:
- Encourage high-quality student journalism
- Promote investigation of global and societal issues
- Support original reporting and field-based research
- Highlight underreported stories and perspectives
- Foster critical analysis of current events
- Develop journalistic writing skills
- Encourage evidence-based reporting
- Promote accessible public-interest journalism
- Support emerging writers interested in international affairs
Participants are expected to contribute thoughtful and well-researched reporting that helps readers better understand contemporary issues.
Priority Topics
Submissions may address a wide range of subjects, particularly those related to:
- International affairs
- Global developments
- Political systems and governance
- Economic policies and transformations
- Social issues and inequalities
- Human rights concerns
- Emerging social movements
- International conflicts and diplomacy
- Environmental and societal challenges
- Migration and displacement
- Democracy and civic participation
- Labor and economic justice
- Public policy issues
- Overlooked or underreported stories
Articles should focus on real-world developments and provide meaningful insights for readers.
Preferred Reporting Approaches
The competition prioritizes journalism that includes:
- Original reporting
- Field investigation
- Interviews with relevant sources
- Direct observation
- Fact-based analysis
- Investigative research
- Human-centered storytelling
- Clear and accessible writing
Participants are encouraged to go beyond desk research and engage directly with the issues they cover whenever possible.
Who Can Apply?
The competition is open to:
- Students from any field of study
- Undergraduate students
- Graduate students
- Students with or without journalism training
- Individuals interested in reporting and public-interest storytelling
No professional journalism experience is required.
The competition welcomes participants from diverse academic backgrounds, recognizing that important stories can be uncovered by students across all disciplines.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be enrolled as a student
- Submit an original article
- Write in French
- Follow the competition guidelines
- Produce work based on journalistic methods
- Ensure the submission is free from plagiarism
The competition values strong reporting and clear communication rather than formal journalism credentials.
Article Requirements
Entries must meet the following requirements:
- Approximately 12,000 characters, including spaces
- Written in French
- Original and unpublished work
- Based on journalistic reporting
- Relevant to the publication’s editorial focus
Articles should be structured, evidence-based, and accessible to a general audience.
What Makes a Strong Submission?
Successful articles typically demonstrate:
- Thorough research
- Strong reporting techniques
- Original perspectives
- Clear storytelling
- Well-documented evidence
- Effective use of interviews
- Strong analytical insight
- Relevance to contemporary issues
- High editorial quality
Submissions should combine factual accuracy with engaging journalistic writing.
Evaluation Criteria
Entries are reviewed by an editorial jury composed of journalists and staff members.
Assessment may consider:
- Originality of the topic
- Quality of reporting
- Depth of investigation
- Accuracy and reliability
- Clarity of writing
- Relevance to editorial priorities
- Analytical strength
- Use of sources and interviews
- Overall journalistic quality
Selection is competitive, and publication is not guaranteed for all submissions.
Ineligible Submissions
Articles may be excluded if they:
- Contain plagiarism
- Fail to meet language standards
- Include significant spelling or grammar errors
- Fall outside the publication’s editorial scope
- Lack originality
- Are purely theoretical or academic essays
- Do not demonstrate journalistic methodology
Applicants should carefully review their work before submission.
How to Participate
Step 1: Select a Relevant Topic
Choose an issue connected to:
- International affairs
- Politics
- Economics
- Social change
- Human rights
- Emerging societal trends
Focus on topics that offer fresh perspectives or uncover overlooked realities.
Step 2: Conduct Original Research
Gather information through:
- Interviews
- Field reporting
- Direct observation
- Document analysis
- Reliable sources
Strong reporting should form the foundation of the article.
Step 3: Develop the Story
Organize the material into a clear narrative that:
- Explains the issue
- Presents evidence
- Includes relevant voices
- Provides context and analysis
The article should be accessible to non-specialist readers.
Step 4: Write the Article in French
Ensure the submission:
- Is approximately 12,000 characters
- Follows journalistic writing standards
- Maintains accuracy and clarity
- Includes proper structure and flow
Step 5: Review and Edit
Before submission:
- Check spelling and grammar
- Verify facts and quotations
- Ensure originality
- Strengthen clarity and readability
Well-edited articles are more competitive.
Step 6: Submit the Entry
Submit the completed article according to the competition guidelines and within the required deadline.
Tips for Applicants
- Focus on original reporting rather than opinion pieces.
- Conduct interviews whenever possible.
- Explore stories that are underreported or overlooked.
- Use credible and verifiable sources.
- Write clearly and avoid unnecessary jargon.
- Provide context that helps readers understand the issue.
- Edit carefully for language accuracy.
- Ensure the article reflects journalistic rather than academic writing.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and analytical depth.
- Maintain ethical reporting standards throughout the research process.
Why This Competition Matters
Student voices play an important role in documenting and analyzing the social, political, and economic changes shaping the world. By encouraging original reporting and investigative journalism, the competition helps develop critical research, communication, and storytelling skills while bringing attention to issues that might otherwise remain overlooked.
The initiative also creates opportunities for aspiring journalists and writers to gain publication experience, contribute to public discourse, and engage with complex global challenges through rigorous reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who can participate in the competition?
- Students from any academic discipline are eligible to participate.
- Do I need journalism experience?
- No. Formal journalism training or professional experience is not required.
- What language must the article be written in?
- All submissions must be written in French.
- How long should the article be?
- Approximately 12,000 characters, including spaces.
- Can I submit an academic essay?
- No. The competition prioritizes journalistic reporting, investigation, and field-based research rather than purely theoretical essays.
- Will the winning article be published?
- Yes. The selected article will be published in the magazine at the end of 2026.
- Is there a financial award?
- Yes. The winning author receives financial compensation upon publication, although the exact amount has not been specified.
Conclusion
The Student Competition offers an important platform for students to engage in investigative journalism and contribute meaningful reporting on global, political, economic, and social issues. By encouraging original research, field investigation, and accessible storytelling, the competition supports the development of emerging writers while bringing attention to important contemporary challenges. Students with strong ideas, rigorous reporting skills, and a passion for public-interest journalism are encouraged to submit their work.
For more information, visit Le Monde diplomatique.