The Berggruen Prize Essay Competition, in the amount of $50,000 USD, is calling for essay submissions in English and Chinese on the theme of consciousness. It is given annually by the Berggruen Institute with the goal to stimulate new thinking and innovative concepts while embracing cross-cultural perspectives across fields, disciplines, and geographies.
Inspired by the pivotal role essays have played in shaping thought and inquiry, we are inviting essays that follow in the tradition of renowned thinkers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Michel de Montaigne, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Submissions should present novel ideas and be clearly argued in compelling ways for intellectually serious readers.
Competition Highlights
Prize: $50,000 USD in each language category
Languages: Open to essays written in English and Chinese
2025 Theme: Consciousness. The nature of consciousness has enthralled philosophers for millennia. We seek original essays that offer fresh perspectives from all traditions and disciplines.
Deadline: July 31, 2025