Essay Competition

Rare Disorders Month Health Professional Essay Competition 2026

This rare disorders month Rare Disorders NZ is once again running an essay competition to encourage health professional students to engage with and learn about rare disorders.

The competition is open to all individuals enrolled as students in a recognised New Zealand health professional program, or who are actively pursuing education or training in a health-related field.

Essay Prompt

In 500 words or less, discuss how you envision rare disorder genomics intersecting with your role as a future health professional. Consider how you will ensure the ethical, equitable, and patient-centred integration of genomics into clinical practice for people living with rare disorders. You may wish to consider the opportunities that genomic innovation presents for rare disorder communities and the health professionals caring for them.

Judging criteria

1. Insight and understanding (20%) – Demonstrates a clear understanding of genomics and its relevance to rare disorders and shows thoughtful consideration of current and future implications for people living with rare disorders
2. Personal reflection (30%) - Thoughtfully considers how rare disorder genomics will intersect with the writer’s future health professional role and demonstrates self-awareness regarding responsibilities, growth and impact
3. Creativity and originality (30%) – Presents fresh ideas or unique perspectives
4. Clarity and engagement (20%) – Well-structured, clear, and compelling to read.

Further inspiration

You may be interested in Aotearoa New Zealand’s first Rare Disorders Strategy published by the Ministry of Health in 2024 which you can find here, Rare Disorders NZ's 7 priorities for rare here, and the 2024 Impact of Living with a Rare Disorder White paper based on the results of Rare Disorders NZ’s 2023 Voice of Rare Disorders survey which you can find here (note the 2026 white paper will be uploaded with the 2025 survey results after its launch on 11 March).

You can read past winning entries from 2025 here, and 2024 here.

How to enter

Please email your entry as a Word document or PDF to enquiries@raredisorders.org.nz before 11.59pm 31 March 2026. Include your name, phone number, education institution, course, and year of study in the body of the email. By submitting an entry, participants agree to abide by the terms and conditions outlined below.

Contact us

Any queries can be directed to enquiries@raredisorders.org.nz

Terms and conditions

By submitting an entry, participants agree to abide by these terms and conditions.

1. Eligibility:
• The competition is open to individuals who are currently enrolled as students in a recognised New Zealand health professional program, or who are actively pursuing education or training in a health-related field.
• Proof of enrolment may be required upon request.
2. Submission Guidelines:
• Entries must be original, not previously published and written in English.
• Entries should be emailed to enquiries@raredisorders.org.nz as a Word document or PDF file, with the participant’s name, phone number, education institution, course, and year of study included in the body of the email.
• Each participant may submit only one entry.
• Submissions must adhere to the specified word count limit of no more than 500 words.
3. Submission Deadline: All entries must be received by 11.59pm 31 March 2026. Late submissions will not be considered.
4. Plagiarism: Plagiarised entries will be disqualified. Participants must ensure that their submissions are their original work and cite any sources used appropriately.
5. Judging Criteria: The decision of the judges is final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding their decisions. Essays will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
• Insight and understanding (20%) – Demonstrates a clear understanding of genomics and its relevance to rare disorders and shows thoughtful consideration of current and future implications for people living with rare disorders
• Personal reflection (30%) - Thoughtfully considers how rare disorder genomics will intersect with the writer’s future health professional role and demonstrates self-awareness regarding responsibilities, growth and impact
• Creativity and originality (30%) – Presents fresh ideas or unique perspectives
• Clarity and engagement (20%) – Well-structured, clear, and compelling to read.
6. Prizes:
• Prizes will be awarded to the top essays as determined by the judging panel.
• The winner will receive a cash prize of $500, and two runners-up will each receive a cash prize of $250.
• Prizes will be paid via bank transfer to the winners' designated New Zealand bank accounts only.
• Winners are responsible for providing accurate bank account information for prize distribution.
• Prizes are non-transferable and non-exchangeable.
7. Notification of Winners:
• Winners will be notified via email or telephone within a reasonable time after the judging process is completed.
• If a winner cannot be contacted or does not respond within a week, the prize may be forfeited, and an alternate winner selected.
8. Publicity:
• Entering the competition gives consent to Rare Disorders NZ to publish the winning and runner up essays and names, photos, and other relevant details of the authors.
9. Data Storage:
• By entering the competition, participants consent to Rare Disorders NZ storing their submitted data and entries in line with Rare Disorders NZ’s Privacy Statement and for administrative and promotional purposes.
10. Disqualification:
• Rare Disorders NZ reserve the right to disqualify any participant who violates these terms and conditions or engages in misconduct.
11. Modification or Cancellation:
• The organisers reserve the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the competition at any time for any reason, without prior notice.
12. Disclaimer:
• Rare Disorders NZ assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorised access to or alteration of entries.