European External Action Service

03/24/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 03/24/2026 10:09

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: [email protected]

European External Action Service published this content on March 24, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 24, 2026 at 16:10 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]