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2026-27 Essay Contest

Think, Write, and Compete for Cash Prizes

Each year, middle and high school students have the chance to make their case on big ideas — and compete for cash prizes. This year, we award over $12,000 to students in our essay contest.

Beyond the prizes, the contest helps strengthen research, critical thinking, and persuasive writing skills — abilities that will serve students in school and beyond. They can enter on their own, or teachers can assign the contest and earn rewards for participation.

Everything you need to participate is here. Read the details and get started!

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

Submit by 11:59PM ET on March 12, 2027

Submit Essays Here

Students may submit on their own, or teachers may submit entries for their students.

I'm a Student
I'm a Teacher

Think, Write, and Compete for Cash Prizes

Each year, middle and high school students have the chance to make their case on big ideas — and compete for cash prizes. This year, we award over $12,000 to students in our essay contest.

Beyond the prizes, the contest helps strengthen research, critical thinking, and persuasive writing skills — abilities that will serve students in school and beyond. They can enter on their own, or teachers can assign the contest and earn rewards for participation.

Everything you need to participate is here. Read the details and get started!

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

Submit by 11:59PM ET
on March 12, 2027

Submit Essays Here

Students may submit on their own, or teachers may submit entries for their students.

I'm a Student
I'm a Teacher

Essay Contest at a Glance

Eligibility & Divisions

  • Middle School Division: Grades 5-8
  • High School Division: Grades 9-12
  • Residency: U.S., Canada, or U.S. military address
  • Note: Students who enter the 2026-27 AI Challenge are not eligible to enter the current 2026-27 Essay Contest.

Key Dates

  • Submission Deadline:  March 12, 2027 by 11:59PM ET
  • Winners Announced: May 31, 2027

Student Awards for Each Division

First Place: $2,500
Second Place: $1,000
Third Place: $500
Five Finalists: $200 each
Five Semi-Finalists: $100 each
15 Honorable Mentions: $50 each

Teacher Rewards

Guaranteed Rewards

    • 30+ submissions earn you a $50 Amazon gift card.
    • The teacher with the most submissions receives a $150 Amazon gift card.

Opportunity Drawing

    • Each of your students’ submissions earn you an entry into a drawing for ten $50 Amazon gift cards.

Essay Requirements

  • Length: 500-1,000 words
  • Topic: Must address one of the four prompts.
  • Originality: Essays must be students’ own work. Essays with plagiarized or AI-generated content will be disqualified.
  • Interview: Students whose submissions reach the final phase of judging must take part in a brief remote interview to discuss their essays during the week of May 16-22, 2027.
Last Year's Winning Entries
Topics & Prompts
Scoring Rubric
Complete Rules

Essay Contest at a Glance

Eligibility & Divisions

  • Middle School Division: Grades 5-8
  • High School Division: Grades 9-12
  • Residency: U.S., Canada, or U.S. military address
  • Note: Students who enter the 2026-27 AI Challenge are not eligible to enter the current 2026-27 Essay Contest.

Key Dates

  • Submission Deadline:  March 12, 2027 by 11:59PM ET
  • Winners Announced: May 31, 2027

Student Awards for Each Division

First Place: $2,500
Second Place: $1,000
Third Place: $500
Five Finalists: $200 each
Five Semi-Finalists: $100 each
15 Honorable Mentions: $50 each

Teacher Rewards

Guaranteed Rewards

    • 30+ submissions earn you a $50 Amazon gift card.
    • The teacher with the most submissions receives a $150 Amazon gift card.

Opportunity Drawing

    • Each of your students’ submissions earn you an entry into a drawing for ten $50 Amazon gift cards.

Essay Requirements

  • Length: 500-1,000 words
  • Topic: Must address one of the four prompts
  • Originality: Essays must be students’ own work. Essays with plagiarized or AI-generated content will be disqualified.
  • Interview: Students whose submissions reach the final phase of judging must take part in a brief remote interview to discuss their essays during the week of May 16-22, 2027.
Last Year's Winning Entries
Topics & Prompts
Scoring Rubric
Complete Rules

This Year’s Topics, Prompts, & Starter Resources

Choose one of this year’s prompts and build your case. Read the summaries, then click to see the full prompt and suggested starter resources.

Presidential Powers

Choose one specific use of executive power. Explore its legality and how other branches responded. Then take and support a position on whether that use was an abuse of executive power.

Full Prompt & Starter Resources →

Digital Privacy

Analyze how digital identification requirements and online verification affect privacy, security, and/or freedom. Does it even matter? Support your position with examples and evidence.

Full Prompt & Starter Resources →

Fraud in Government Programs

Evaluate proposed reforms to government programs or propose your own to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse.

Full Prompt & Starter Resources →

Interest in Democratic Socialism / Communism

Examine this growing interest and evaluate how the historical experiences of countries governed under socialist or communist systems support or refute the messaging of these influencers.

Full Prompt & Starter Resources →

Tips for Writers

Essentials for a Standout Essay

  • Review the complete contest rules before starting
  • Be original and specific and make your essay stand out.
  • Stay within the 500-1,000 word limit.
  • Support claims with evidence and cite your sources.
  • Proofread for grammar, spelling, and clarity.
  • Watch our Students Tips & Best Practices video