Wits/PPS “Health Economics for Africa” Essay Competition 2026 Now Open – Win Up to $5,000
African undergraduates and postgraduates have a unique opportunity to showcase their insights on health economics with the Wits/PPS “Health Economics for Africa” Essay Competition 2026. The competition, designed to advance health economics research across Africa, offers cash prizes of up to USD 5,000 and mentorship opportunities with leading health economists.
Deadline: All entries must be submitted by 31 January 2026 at 23:59 GMT via the Oxford Abstracts registration page Proof of 2025 enrollment is required.
Undergraduate Category
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students enrolled in any African university, pursuing a Bachelor’s or Honours degree.
Essay Topics (Choose One):
- The Cost of Distance: When Geography Shapes Health
- Climate on the Clinic Doorstep
- Antibiotics and the Dilemmas of Healthcare Decisions
- What and Who Keeps the Health System Running
- Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Healthcare
- The Political Economy of Health Financing
Format & Submission:
- 800–1,000 words, English, single entry only
- Copy and paste essay (title, main text, references) into Oxford Abstracts online form
- Submit via Undergraduate Oxford Abstracts submission page
Prizes:
- 1st: USD 2,000
- 2nd: USD 1,000
- 3rd: USD 500
- Top 10: eCertificate & social media exposure with a health economist
Rules & Review:
- Essays must cite at least three academic sources and be original, unpublished work
- Evaluated on understanding, argument quality, policy relevance, clarity, and sources
- Shortlisted entrants will be interviewed online
Postgraduate Category
Eligibility: Open to Master’s and PhD students from any African university.
Topic Scope: Papers must address health economics, using economic principles to analyze health systems, policy, or behavior. Interdisciplinary approaches allowed if focused on economics.
Format & Submission:
- 4,500–5,500 words, single-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman, PDF format
- Title page must show only title and word count (no personal info)
- Submit via Postgraduate Oxford Abstracts submission page
Prizes:
- 1st: USD 5,000 + mentorship to publish in a scientific journal
- 2nd: USD 3,000 + mentorship
- 3rd: USD 1,000 + mentorship
- Top 10: eCertificate & social media exposure
Rules & Review:
- Single original submission per entrant
- Evaluated on contribution, methodology, clarity, and structure
- Shortlisted entrants interviewed online
AI & Citations:
AI tools are allowed only responsibly to support writing. All sources must be cited in APA or Harvard format.
Contact & Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Official competition page: Wits SEF PPS Chair in Health Economics essay competition page
This competition is a platform for African students to influence the future of health economics. Don’t miss your chance to contribute and win!.
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