Competition Integrity Policy

For competitors

• During a timed round the work is yours alone. No other people, no AI tools, no search, and no notes, unless an event's published policy names a permitted resource.
• Compete as yourself. Don't take a round for someone else, and don't let anyone take one for you.
• Questions stay in the room until ERI releases them. Don't share, photograph, reconstruct, or discuss live items.
• If you've seen competition material, or one of the judges knows you, say so before the round. Declaring a conflict is never held against you.

For research entrants

• The question, analysis, and writing are yours. AI assistance is disclosed; AI-generated argument presented as your own, and any fabricated data, evidence, or citation, is a violation.
• Keep your identity out of the paper so review stays blind.

For staff, reviewers, and judges

• Anyone with live-item access cannot compete in that event in that season.
• Judges and reviewers recuse from competitors and authors they know or who attend their school.
• Competition items are confidential until released.

Consequences

Violations lead to disqualification from the round, event, or season, voiding of results, and for staff, removal from the role. Findings are communicated in writing to the participant and, for minors, the guardian.

Reporting

Report a concern through the contact page (choose “Competition”). Reports are handled by someone without a conflict in the matter.