Scholarship competitions
Some opportunities reward a piece of work, a project or a competition entry. This collection includes contests with scholarships or prizes. Read the award details to distinguish college funding from cash prizes and other recognition.
Explore the awardsWhat to check before applying
- Check age, grade, location and individual-versus-team rules before choosing a contest.
- Read the official submission format, originality rules and any restrictions on outside assistance.
- Allow time for local or regional qualifying rounds when the competition requires them. The national deadline may not be your first deadline.
Explore scholarship competitions
Listed alphabetically. Some dates are unconfirmed or belong to a previous cycle. Open an award for application details and official sources; the provider's current rules control.
American Academy of Neurology / Child Neurology Society
AAN Neuroscience Research Prize
- Award
- Three AAN winners receive $1,000 each and a 2027 AAN Annual Meeting poster presentation. Each student and one parent or mentor receive coach airfare, two hotel nights, meeting registration and $100 per day for up to two days. One Bhuwan Garg winner receives $1,000 and a 2027 Child Neurology Society poster presentation, with student/parent-or-mentor airfare, three lodging nights, ground transport and registration. Travel benefits depend on the in-person meeting proceeding.
- Listed deadline
- Applications opened July 29, 2026; complete application closes October 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT. Notifications by the end of January 2027.
- Who can apply
- Students enrolled in and attending grades 9 to 12 in the United States, regardless of age. Individual original neuroscience research and original written work are required; group projects are excluded, but a formal laboratory is not required. Family of judges, AAN Science Committee members or AAN staff are ineligible.
Kennedy Center
Access/VSA Emerging Young Artists Program
- Award
- Fifteen artists each receive a $3,000 stipend and exhibition inclusion. Stipend requires full participation in virtual workshops April 3, May 1 and June 5, 2027 and all-expenses-paid workshops in Washington, D.C., June 14-18, 2027.
- Listed deadline
- 2027 program application due November 19, 2026. Eligibility is measured that day at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time; confirm portal submission cutoff. Accommodation requests due October 30, 2026. Winners notified by January 13, 2027; required workshops April 3, May 1, June 5 and June 14-18, 2027.
- Who can apply
- Individual visual artists with documented disabilities, ages 16-25 on November 19, 2026, residing in the U.S./listed territories with legal U.S. work authorization; citizenship is not required. Must publicly disclose disability and attend every required workshop. Prior recipients, group work, plagiarism and generative-AI artwork excluded. Submitted works must be from the past three years and after disability onset.
NAACP
ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics)
- Award
- National gold, silver and bronze medals plus college scholarship opportunities from national sponsors (amounts not stated)
- Listed deadline
- Local programs generally start in August, with local competitions February to April. The published national schedule is July 2026. NAACP now plans a 2027 Legislative Session incorporating ACT-SO, with the next full convention in 2028; exact 2027 competition/registration dates are not published.
- Who can apply
- Current general FAQ: U.S. citizens in grades 9 to 12 who are amateurs in their category. The program spans STEM, humanities, business, visual/performing and culinary arts; confirm category-specific restrictions with the local advisor.
American Foreign Service Association
AFSA National High School Essay Contest
- Award
- Previous first prize $2,500 plus educational travel
- Listed deadline
- The 2025-2026 contest closed March 1, 2026. The 2027 prompt and deadline are not published.
- Who can apply
- Prior-cycle rules: grades 9-12 attending school in the 50 states, DC or US territories, or US citizens or lawful permanent residents attending high school overseas, including homeschool. Students whose parents are current or former Foreign Service members are excluded. Previous first-place winners and immediate family of AFSA, NSLC or Semester at Sea directors or staff are excluded.
Unigo
All About Education Scholarship
- Award
- Award amount unconfirmed: the official pages advertise $3,000, but the program’s embedded prize rules state $1,500.
- Listed deadline
- April 30, 2027, 11:59 p.m. Pacific
- Who can apply
- Legal residents of the 50 US states or DC, age 14 or older, currently enrolled or enrolling by fall 2032 in an accredited college, university or trade school. Sponsor employees and immediate family/household members are excluded.
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
American Voices / American Visions
- Award
- $500 to national American Voices/Visions award recipients. Detailed current payment/use conditions are not public.
- Listed deadline
- Entries open October 1, 2026. Regional art/writing deadlines vary from December 1, 2026 to as late as January 4, 2027; use official Region Locator for your school/home region. Regional results January 27, 2027; national awards March 31, 2027.
- Who can apply
- All eligible Scholastic grades/categories; regional Gold Key plus regional nomination. General rule: grades 7-12, age at least 13 on entry, attending school and residing in U.S./territories/military bases or Canada excluding Quebec; qualifying home/virtual schools permitted. Awards are individual, not collaborative.
Fleet Reserve Association
Americanism Essay Contest
- Award
- National awards: $1,500 grand winner; $1,000 first, $750 second and $500 third in grade-level contests; local/regional awards vary. Complete current payment/use terms require confirmation.
- Listed deadline
- Recurring December 1 mailing-postmark/email cutoff; current page labels the contest 2026-27 but does not specify the closing year in its deadline. Ask the sponsoring branch for the current dated instructions.
- Who can apply
- Current contest open to grades 7-12 including homeschool/equivalent. June 2025 rules require national winners to supply W-9 and SSN on request; confirm current award-document requirements with the sponsor.
IvyPanda
Annual Video Contest
- Award
- $1,000 first; $500 second
- Listed deadline
- October 31, 2026
- Who can apply
- Current high school, college or university students worldwide; winners must prove academic status/enrollment.
Ayn Rand Institute
Anthem Essay Contest
- Award
- Cash prizes; the current individual award schedule is not published.
- Listed deadline
- The next contest deadline could not be confirmed from accessible official pages.
- Who can apply
- Middle and high school students worldwide, age 13 or older; enrolled in school during the contest.
Arizona Science Center
Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF route)
- Award
- Fair prizes/scholarships vary; 2027 individual award amounts, payment/use terms and special-award restrictions are not published. Senior Grand winners can advance to ISEF; not every entrant receives money.
- Listed deadline
- Qualifying school/homeschool/district/regional fair by March 6, 2027. Registration opens February 1, 2027 and closes March 10, 2027 at 11:59 PM (time zone not stated). Senior project check-in March 25, 2027; senior fair March 26, 2027; ceremony March 27, 2027.
- Who can apply
- Arizona students through qualifying fairs; Senior Division grades 9-12, other divisions grades 5-8. Linked 2026 handbook requires Arizona residence or school attendance, one project, individual or team up to three, and first-place/fair-director qualifying selection. Complete revised 2027 eligibility and project rules require confirmation.
Sons of the American Revolution
Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Contest
- Award
- National awards $200-$10,000
- Listed deadline
- Chapter and state entry deadlines vary. February 15 is the annual national forwarding deadline, not the student application deadline. Specific 2027 local dates are not published.
- Who can apply
- Active registered Eagle Scouts who have not turned 19 during the January-December application year. Previous national first-place winners are excluded; an older-applicant exception may apply under the full rules.
American Statistical Association
ASA Data Visualization Poster Competition (Grades K to 12)
- Award
- First prize $300, second $200 and third $100 per grade division, split equally among collaborators. First-place winners in grades 4 to 12 also receive TI graphing calculators.
- Listed deadline
- April 1 each year under ASA’s published standing policy. A separate 2027 announcement and closing time are not posted; no future-year date is inferred.
- Who can apply
- Students in grades K to 12 residing in the United States or Canada. Teams in K to 3 have no size limit; other teams may have up to four members, with the highest grade setting the category. Original posters must be 18 to 24 inches high by 24 to 30 inches wide, with at least two related graphics addressing a statistical question.
American Statistical Association
ASA Statistics Project Competition (Grades 7 to 12)
- Award
- First prize $300, second $200 and third $100, split equally among team members; first-place winners also receive TI graphing calculators.
- Listed deadline
- June 1 each year under ASA’s published standing policy. A separate 2027 announcement and closing time are not posted; no future-year date is inferred.
- Who can apply
- Students in grades 7 to 12 residing in the United States or Canada, individually or in teams of up to four; the highest grade determines the category. Projects must collect and analyze data to answer a statistical question. Methods beyond introductory statistics are disqualified; ethical conduct and participant privacy are required.
Ayn Rand Institute
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
- Award
- Cash awards; schedule pending
- Listed deadline
- The next contest deadline could not be confirmed from accessible official pages.
- Who can apply
- High school, college and graduate students worldwide; enrolled in school during the contest. The current public FAQ does not specify an Atlas Shrugged minimum age.
BBB Greater Arizona
BBB Ethical Torch Essay
- Award
- Greater Arizona awards: $1,500 first, $1,250 second, $1,000 third, $750 fourth and $500 fifth, for college tuition/expenses; recipients recognized at the Torch Awards for Ethics.
- Listed deadline
- October 11, 2026, 11:59 p.m.
- Who can apply
- Grades 9-12, graduating classes 2027-2030, both residing and enrolled in school in Apache, Coconino, Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Yavapai or Yuma County. Southern California competitions have different geographic deadlines.
Bennington College
Bennington Young Creators Awards (Young Artists, Innovators, Musicians and Scientists)
- Award
- Cash prizes in each discipline: First $2,000, Second $1,000, Third $500, Distinguished $250. If enrolling at Bennington: First Place full tuition for four years, Distinguished half tuition for four years, Finalists $25,000 per year for four years.
- Listed deadline
- 2026-27 cycle: opens September 1, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern; closes November 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. Winners announced in spring 2027.
- Who can apply
- Students in grades 9 to 12 worldwide; graduated students are not eligible.
Bennington College
Bennington Young Writers Awards
- Award
- Cash by category: $2,000 first, $1,000 second, $500 third; distinguished submissions $250. First-place winners enrolling at Bennington receive full tuition for four years; distinguished recipients half tuition for four years; finalists $25,000 per year for four years. Additional scholarship renewal conditions are not published in the contest rules.
- Listed deadline
- For the 2026-27 awards, September 1, 2026 at 9 a.m. ET through November 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET; winners announced spring 2027.
- Who can apply
- Currently enrolled grades 9 to 12 worldwide, including homeschooled students. Graduates, gap-year and transfer students are excluded. One submission per discipline and one award discipline per student; simultaneous submissions to other competitions/publications are allowed.
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Best-in-Grade
- Award
- $500 per selected work. Detailed current payment/use conditions are not public.
- Listed deadline
- Entries open October 1, 2026. Regional art/writing deadlines vary from December 1, 2026 to as late as January 4, 2027; use official Region Locator for your school/home region. Regional results January 27, 2027; national awards March 31, 2027.
- Who can apply
- All eligible Scholastic grades/categories; regional Gold Key required for national consideration. General rule: grades 7-12, age at least 13 on entry, attending school and residing in U.S./territories/military bases or Canada excluding Quebec; qualifying home/virtual schools permitted. Awards are individual, not collaborative.
Blue Ocean
Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition
- Award
- $1,000 / $750 / $500; regional $500; people's choice $750
- Listed deadline
- February 21, 2027, midnight (your time zone)
- Who can apply
- Students worldwide enrolled in high school or equivalent pre-university study when registering; later graduation is allowed. Homeschooled students ages 14-18 may enter. Individual or team of up to five.
Bow Seat
Blue Planet Awareness Contest
- Award
- Cash awards up to $1,000
- Listed deadline
- June 7, 2027, 11:59 p.m. Eastern
- Who can apply
- Ages 11-18 worldwide; must not have started college.
BMI Foundation
BMI Composer Awards (Student Composer Awards)
- Award
- Individual award amounts are not specified. Special honors include the Ellen Taaffe Zwilich Prize for the most outstanding work and Carlos Surinach Prize for the youngest winner.
- Listed deadline
- 2027 deadline not yet posted; the 2026 cycle measured age as of February 15, 2026. Sign up on the BMI Foundation site for deadline notices.
- Who can apply
- Published 2026 rules: under age 28 on February 15, 2026, and resident of the U.S./territories or citizen of a Western Hemisphere country. At most two prior BMI Composer Awards, excluding honorable mentions, to reapply. Exact 2027 age-reference date and criteria are not published.
Breakthrough Prize Foundation
Breakthrough Junior Challenge
- Award
- 2026 prize: $250,000 undergraduate scholarship, $50,000 for an eligible inspiring teacher and up to $100,000 for school science-lab work. The scholarship is paid directly to an accredited institution for approved education costs and must be used within eight years of high-school graduation.
- Listed deadline
- 2026 video/application entry closed September 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. Existing entrants must finish at least five peer reviews by September 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. The 2027 entry cycle is not published.
- Who can apply
- 2026 entrants had to be at least 13 by May 11, 2026 and not yet 19 on October 1, 2026. Minors needed parent/guardian permission. Group entries, prior sponsor-competition winners, sponsor-connected persons and residents or persons barred under the stated sanctions restrictions were excluded. Current 2027 age dates and other rules are unconfirmed.
Earth Island Institute
Brower Youth Awards
- Award
- $3,000 cash prize, a co-produced short film about the recipient's work, and a leadership trip with flight, meals and lodging
- Listed deadline
- 2027 deadline not yet posted; the 2026 deadline was March 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
- Who can apply
- Published 2026 rules: environmental change leaders ages 13 to 22 at the deadline, living in North America including Mexico, Canada and U.S. territories. Applicants must play a major leadership role in creating, organizing and implementing their effort. Final 2027 criteria are not published.
New Hampshire Bar Foundation
Civics Essay Contest
- Award
- The 2025-26 contest paid a $5,000 first-place cash prize and $2,500 each for second and third. The 2026-27 prize terms have not been posted.
- Listed deadline
- The sponsor said the next contest would be announced in fall 2026, but no 2026-27 prompt, rules or deadline have been posted. The prior deadline was February 6, 2026.
- Who can apply
- Posted 2025-26 rules: New Hampshire students in grades 11-12 at public, private, parochial or charter schools in the state, plus equivalent-grade New Hampshire homeschool students. Future-cycle criteria are not yet confirmed.
Optimist International
Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Award
- $2,500 scholarship per qualifying district meeting minimum participation. Older 2025-26 guide pays school only for college/university/trade school, claimed by age 25; complete current award-use terms require confirmation.
- Listed deadline
- 2026-27 sponsoring Club sets local date/time/place; no universal dated entry deadline published.
- Who can apply
- Uncorrected hearing loss at least 40 decibels, qualified audiologist evidence within 24 months. Programme lists U.S./Canada grades through 12, Quebec CEGEP and Caribbean through grade 13; current rules also mention equivalent worldwide. Prior district CCDHH/CCHI scholarship winners cannot return. General contest directory adds under-19 October 1 criterion, while specific programme/rules omit it; confirm age/geographic scope with sponsor.
Bill of Rights Institute
Community Impact Contest
- Award
- $10,000 first / $5,000 second / $2,500 third; up to nine $500 honorable mentions
- Listed deadline
- April 19,2027, 11:59 p.m. Pacific
- Who can apply
- US citizens or legal residents ages 13-19 on January 1,2027, enrolled at eligible schools in the US, territories or American Armed Forces Schools abroad. Must be at least 13 when registering. Those graduating or receiving a GED before January 1,2027 and past top-prize winners are excluded.
Courageous Persuaders
Courageous Persuaders Video Contest
- Award
- Scholarship prizes; category amounts vary
- Listed deadline
- April 5,2027
- Who can apply
- Grades 9-12, age 19 or under, attending school in the 48 contiguous states or D.C.
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Contest
- Award
- Scholarships for essay winners at the chapter, state, division and national levels (amounts not stated on the official page)
- Listed deadline
- Not stated on the official page; set by local DAR chapters
- Who can apply
- One high-school senior per participating accredited school, selected by teachers and peers for dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. The school must be accredited and in good standing with its state board; the official handout also describes recognized accreditation allowing a diploma without a GED. U.S. citizenship is not required.
Davidson Institute
Davidson Fellows Scholarship
- Award
- $25,000, $50,000 or $100,000 total for qualified tuition and related expenses at accredited institutions. Institute controls payment documentation/timing; funds available for ten years, after which unused funds are forfeited. Two-person teams split the award equally.
- Listed deadline
- 2027 application announced to open fall 2026; 2027 deadline and recognition-event dates not yet published. Posted February 18, 2026 deadline is for the prior cycle.
- Who can apply
- Age 18 or younger at deadline, with no minimum age or grade. U.S. citizen or permanent resident living in the United States, with an exception for those stationed overseas due to active U.S. military duty. Completed work near college-graduate level in STEM, literature, music, philosophy or Outside the Box; community-service and athletic accomplishments, literature reviews, and excluded visual/performance-art categories do not qualify. Human-subject research requires IRB paperwork; animal/tissue projects have specific restrictions and narrow exceptions. Prior named Fellows cannot win again.
University of Delaware Horn Entrepreneurship
Diamond Challenge
- Award
- Each track: first place $12,000, second $8,000, third $4,500 per team, plus topical prizes.
- Listed deadline
- Submission by January 14, 2027 at 5 p.m. EST. Advancing teams notified February 10, 2027; finalists announced March 9, 2027. Mandatory in-person final round at the Limitless World Summit, April 29 to April 30, 2027.
- Who can apply
- Worldwide teams of two to four high-school students ages 14-18 at the submission deadline, with one registered advisor age 21 or older. Each student joins only one team and enters one concept. Ventures must not have generated more than $100,000 revenue before the deadline; previous Summit-finalist concepts cannot be resubmitted.
American Society of Human Genetics
DNA Day Essay Contest
- Award
- Cash awards; 2027 amounts not verified
- Listed deadline
- The 2026 contest is closed. The 2027 prompt and application dates have not been published.
- Who can apply
- Grades 9-12 worldwide.
Unigo
Do-Over Scholarship
- Award
- $1,500
- Listed deadline
- June 30, 2027, 11:59 p.m. Pacific
- Who can apply
- Legal residents of the 50 US states or DC, age 14+. Embedded rules allow accredited postsecondary enrollment by fall 2032, but the summary says fall 2026. Confirm the enrollment requirement with Unigo.
Google
Doodle for Google
- Award
- 2027 award amounts not posted
- Listed deadline
- 2027 dates not posted
- Who can apply
- Prior-cycle rules: K-12 students who are UScitizens or permanent legal residents at eligible US schools or homeschool, including DC, territories and freely associated states. Children of military personnel abroad may enter.
Unigo
Education Matters Scholarship
- Award
- Conflict: headline $5,000; formal prize clause $1,500; one award paid directly to the institution after enrollment proof by 2031. No cash substitute.
- Listed deadline
- November 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
- Who can apply
- Legal residents of the fifty U.S. states or D.C., age 14 or older, enrolled or enrolling by fall 2031 at an accredited college, university or trade school. Sponsor employees/agents, immediate families and same-household residents excluded.
National Academy of Engineering
EngineerTeen / EngineerGirl Writing Contest
- Award
- 2027 prize schedule unverified (2025: $1,000 / $750 / $500)
- Listed deadline
- February 1, 2027, 11:59 p.m. Eastern
- Who can apply
- Students in grades 3-12, entering individually in one of the 2027 grade bands (3-4, 5-6, 7-9, 10-12). The work must be original; AI may help with research or brainstorming but may not write or create the final submission. The official 2027 page does not state a geographic restriction.
Federal Bar Association
FBA Civics Essay Contest
- Award
- Published scholarship prizes: first $1,500, second $1,250, third $750. The closed-cycle FAQ describes these as prior prizes; the 2027 prize/payment terms are not published.
- Listed deadline
- The 2026 contest is closed. FBA says the new prompt will be posted in January 2027; the 2027 entry deadline is not published.
- Who can apply
- Grades 9 to 12 at public, private, parochial or charter schools, or homeschool equivalent, in the United States and territories. Prior winners may re-enter until graduating.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Contest
- Award
- Published national awards: $1,000 first, $500 second, $200 third, and $200 for the conservation message winner. The 2025-26 brochure includes a free First Day of Issue trip for the national art winner and one parent/guardian. Final 2027 national award/travel terms are not posted. State prizes vary.
- Listed deadline
- Enter through your state of legal residence, by its postmark deadline. Confirm the current date with your state coordinator. Published 2027 examples: Maryland February 1, 2027; Maine March 1, 2027. The complete 2027 state/national schedule is not confirmed on the national page.
- Who can apply
- K-12 students at U.S./territory public, private, tribal or home schools; U.S. citizens abroad enter through their legal state of residence. National placement/monetary prizes require U.S. citizenship, resident-alien status or U.S. national status, with identity/residency documentation as requested. Foreign exchange students may be honored at state level but cannot advance as Best of Show. One entry per student; the preceding year's national first-place winner cannot enter.
Unigo
Fifth Month Scholarship
- Award
- $1,500
- Listed deadline
- May 30, 2027, 11:59 p.m. Pacific
- Who can apply
- Legal residents of the 50 US states or DC. Embedded rules say age 13+ and accredited postsecondary enrollment by fall 2032; the summary says age 14+ and fall 2026. Confirm these conflicting terms with Unigo.
Unigo
Flavor of the Month Scholarship
- Award
- $1,500
- Listed deadline
- July 31,2027, 11:59 p.m. Pacific
- Who can apply
- Legal residents of the 50 US states or DC, age 14 or older, currently enrolled or enrolling by fall 2032 at an accredited postsecondary institution. Sponsor employees and immediate family/household members are excluded.
Sons of the American Revolution
George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest
- Award
- Arizona state first place: $500; national cash prize varies by year and is not confirmed for 2027
- Listed deadline
- Arizona lists December 31 annually; chapter may be earlier
- Who can apply
- U.S. citizen or legal alien in grades 9-12 at a public, private, parochial or accredited home school; prior national first-place winners may not reenter.
US Chess Federation
GM Arnold Denker National Tournament of High School State Champions
- Award
- Published 2026 scholarships: $5,000, $4,000, $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 for ranks 1 to 5; cash $800, $500, $400, $300 and $200, split for ties. Scholarship claims require at least half-time higher-education enrollment and must be made before age 26. Other 2026 awards include $1,000 Ursula Foster, $100 under-2000 Joanne Haskel and $100 biggest overall upset. The 2027 prize schedule is not published.
- Listed deadline
- The national page still lists the completed August 3 to 6, 2026 event and June 1, 2026 state nominations. A 2027 state event listing places the related U.S. Open in Dallas August 2 to 8, 2027, but the exact 2027 Denker dates and nomination cutoff are not published on the national rules page. State selection deadlines vary.
- Who can apply
- Published 2026 rules: state-approved grades 9 to 12 curriculum at qualification, state residency at that stage, current US Chess membership during Denker, and age 19 or younger on September 1 of the event year. Dual enrollment is allowed. D.C. counts as a state and California has separate north/south representatives. A player may represent only one state and play only one simultaneous national invitational. Complete 2027 rules are not published.
Glenn Miller Birthplace Society
GMBS Music Scholarship Competition
- Award
- 2026 prizes for three vocal and three instrumental winners: $10,000, $5,000 and $3,000
- Listed deadline
- The 2026 deadline was April 20, 2026 at 5 PM Central according to the main page and packet instructions; one packet footer conflicts. No 2027 dates are posted.
- Who can apply
- High school seniors and college freshmen who intend to make music their future focus.
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Herblock Award for Editorial Cartoon
- Award
- $2,000 to each of three selected teens. Detailed current payment/use conditions are not public.
- Listed deadline
- Entries open October 1, 2026. Regional art/writing deadlines vary from December 1, 2026 to as late as January 4, 2027; use official Region Locator for your school/home region. Regional results January 27, 2027; national awards March 31, 2027.
- Who can apply
- All eligible Scholastic teens submitting qualifying individual editorial cartoons. General rule: grades 7-12, age at least 13 on entry, attending school and residing in U.S./territories/military bases or Canada excluding Quebec; qualifying home/virtual schools permitted. Awards are individual, not collaborative.
SPJ / JEA
High School Essay Contest
- Award
- $1,000 first / $500 second / $300 third
- Listed deadline
- February 21,2027, 11:59 p.m. CST (9:59 p.m. PST); topic and portal expected in December 2026
- Who can apply
- Grades 9-12 in US public, private or home schools. International student submissions and previous national winners are ineligible.
The Christophers
High School Poster Contest
- Award
- First $1,000; second $500; third $250; up to five honorable mentions of $100
- Listed deadline
- Entries postmarked by February 11, 2027; winners announced May 7, 2027. Digital-entry closing time/time zone is not stated.
- Who can apply
- Students in grades 9 to 12 living in the United States. Each entry must be one student's original concept, design, artwork and photos. AI-created work is ineligible. U.S. citizen/resident winners must supply a Social Security number before a cash prize above $600 is paid.
Rotary District 5930 (South Texas)
High School Student Four-Way Test Speech Contest (District 5930)
- Award
- Published 2026 district prizes: $1,500 first, $1,000 second, $750 third, and $100 to other district contestants, paid directly or mailed. Club/area awards vary. Final 2027 amounts are not published.
- Listed deadline
- 2027 dates not yet posted; in 2026 club contests were due March 14, area contests March 25, and the District Championship was April 11, 2026.
- Who can apply
- Published rules welcome high school students in District 5930, South Texas. Prior district first-place winners cannot compete again at district level. Multiple club contests are permitted if allowed by the clubs. Exact 2027 rules are not yet published.
Unigo
I Have a Dream Scholarship
- Award
- $1,500 stated in headline and older embedded rules; current payment/use terms require confirmation.
- Listed deadline
- Conflict: headline January 31, 2027; embedded rules January 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Current closing terms require sponsor confirmation.
- Who can apply
- Page says legal residents of fifty U.S. states/D.C., age 14+. Enrollment wording conflicts: introductory text fall 2027 versus older formal rules fall 2029. Current complete eligibility requires confirmation.
Jane Austen Society of North America
JASNA Essay Contest
- Award
- $1,000 / $500 / $250 (program figures)
- Listed deadline
- The 2027 topic and rules will be published in November 2026; submissions open February 2027. The closing deadline is not published.
- Who can apply
- High school and homeschool students worldwide enrolled at that level during the contest year. College and graduate divisions have separate course-load rules. JASNA membership is not required.
Journalism Education Association
JEA Journalist of the Year Scholarship
- Award
- $4,000 for the national winner; $1,200 each for up to five finalists
- Listed deadline
- State entry deadlines vary and must precede the national round. JEA's 2026-27 calendar confirms national submissions March 15, 2027. The separate award page still shows March 15, 2026 and a general 11:59 p.m. CDT cutoff; 2027 state dates and cutoff details should be confirmed.
- Who can apply
- High school seniors or international equivalent, with a current JEA-member adviser. U.S. entrants must win the state contest. International entrants submit to JEA's global engagement director; judges may advance up to three portfolios, at most one per country. No journalism-major requirement or two-year journalism-experience minimum.
Sons of the American Revolution
Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest
- Award
- Arizona state $750 / $250 / $100; the state page lists national $8,000 / $5,000 / $3,000.
- Listed deadline
- Arizona typically January 31
- Who can apply
- Arizona high-school students in grades 9-12, including home schools, public, parochial and private schools.
JSHS
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
- Award
- Regional tuition awards: $1,000-$2,000; national oral awards: $4,000-$12,000; national poster cash awards: $350-$550
- Listed deadline
- 2026-27 regional application deadlines vary; Arizona date TBD
- Who can apply
- Students in grades 9-12 who are US citizens or lawful permanent residents, including eligible American Samoa permanent residents, presenting original STEM research. One project and one regional competition per student; group research requires one designated presenter.
Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation
Kemper Human Rights Essay Contest
- Award
- $5,000 / $2,500 / $1,250
- Listed deadline
- December 10, 2026
- Who can apply
- High school students who are US citizens or residents enter the US contest. A separate international contest offers the same prize tiers to students who are citizens and residents of other countries.
National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC)
Lana M. Bailey Piano Concerto Awards
- Award
- $1,500 first, $500 second
- Listed deadline
- May 1, 2027 (2026-27 NFMC awards chart).
- Who can apply
- Graduating high school seniors under 19 by May 1 who will attend college, university or conservatory as a music major, are NFMC Junior members and U.S. citizens. Prior first-place winners cannot reenter the same award; enter only one NFMC division per year.
Lumiere Education
Lumiere Scholars Essay Award (cash prizes)
- Award
- Portable cash awards: $1,000 gold (one), $500 silver (two), $300 bronze (three). Separate Lumiere-program tuition discounts are conditional on admission and are not portable college funding.
- Listed deadline
- Free registration November 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST; essay December 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Optional early submission October 25, 2026; shortlist January 4, 2027; virtual ceremony January 10, 2027.
- Who can apply
- Students worldwide enrolled in high school as of December 31, 2026. Lumiere current/alumni scholars eligible but cannot submit their final Lumiere paper. Solo submission; no collaborative essays.
National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC)
Lynn Freeman Olson Composition Awards
- Award
- $1,500 high-school and $750 intermediate awards for further musical study; judges may withhold awards. The 2027 announcement also permits advertised amounts to be adjusted for financial shortfalls, with applicants notified.
- Listed deadline
- March 1, 2027 (2026-27 NFMC awards chart). Postmark deadline; mail no more than one month before closing.
- Who can apply
- Nonprofessional composers in grades 10 to 12 for the $1,500 high-school category, or grades 7 to 9 for the $750 intermediate category, who are currently studying music and are NFMC members. Works must not have been published for public use or sale. Only one original composition per entrant; arrangements are excluded. Past monetary winners cannot reenter the same category. U.S. citizenship is not required.
Unigo
Make Me Laugh Scholarship
- Award
- $1,500
- Listed deadline
- August 31,2027, 11:59 p.m. Pacific
- Who can apply
- Legal residents of the 50 US states or DC, age 14 or older, currently enrolled or enrolling by fall 2032 at an accredited postsecondary institution. Sponsor employees and immediate family/household members are excluded.
National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC)
Marilyn Caldwell Solo Piano Awards
- Award
- $1,250 first, $750 second
- Listed deadline
- March 1, 2027 (2026-27 NFMC awards chart).
- Who can apply
- Pianists in grades 10 to 12 who are under 19 by March 1, NFMC Junior members and U.S. citizens. Prior first-place winners cannot reenter the same award; enter only one NFMC division per year.
National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC)
Martha Marcks Mack Junior Vocal Award
- Award
- $1,500 first, $1,000 second, $500 third
- Listed deadline
- March 1, 2027 (2026-27 NFMC awards chart).
- Who can apply
- Singers in grades 10 to 12 who have not reached their 19th birthday by the application deadline. NFMC Junior Division members (individual or through a federated club) who are U.S. citizens (native-born or naturalized).
National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC)
Mary Alice Cox Awards (Cello or Double Bass)
- Award
- $2,500 first, $1,500 second, $1,000 third
- Listed deadline
- March 1, 2027 (2026-27 NFMC awards chart).
- Who can apply
- Cellists and double bassists who have not reached their 19th birthday by the application deadline. NFMC Junior Division members (individual or through a federated club) who are U.S. citizens (native-born or naturalized).
SIAM
MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge
- Award
- Currently posted: $1,000-$20,000 per team; 2027 amounts unconfirmed
- Listed deadline
- 2027 schedule not verified
- Who can apply
- Prior-cycle rules: high school juniors or seniors at eligible US schools, or sixth-form students ages 16-19 at eligible schools in England or Wales. International/exchange students enrolled at eligible schools may enter. Homeschool/cyber students have separate age and documentation rules.
Actuarial Foundation
Modeling the Future Challenge
- Award
- Team awards $25,000 first / $15,000 second / $10,000 third / $5,000 fourth, divided among members and paid directly as tuition to U.S. colleges/universities. Choosing a college outside the U.S. voids the award.
- Listed deadline
- Register November 8, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific; scenario December 7, 2026 at noon Pacific; infographic February 1, 2027 (time unstated); project report March 1, 2027 at noon Pacific; regional events March 16-18, 2027; finalist video/report April 5, 2027 at noon Pacific; symposium April 26-30, 2027.
- Who can apply
- Ages 13-19 on August 1, 2026, usually grades 11-12 with an eligible advanced math course. Grades 9-10 need teacher/parent petition and approval; below grade 9 excluded. U.S./territory high school; rules also allow U.S. citizens/PR attending abroad with specified U.S.-time meeting/internet availability. One team/student. Prior first-place students cannot win again; past topics cannot be reused.
Kaplun Foundation
Morris J. and Betty Kaplun Essay Contest
- Award
- Prior cycle $1,800 first / $500 finalists
- Listed deadline
- The 2025-2026 contest is closed. The next application dates have not been published.
- Who can apply
- Grades 10-12 division; students worldwide of any religion.
The ASCAP Foundation
Morton Gould Young Composer Awards
- Award
- Cash awards; current amounts could not be confirmed.
- Listed deadline
- The next application dates could not be confirmed from accessible official content.
- Who can apply
- This program recognizes young concert-music composers. Current age, residency, performing-rights affiliation and prior-award restrictions could not be confirmed.
Council for Economic Education
National Economics Challenge
- Award
- 2027 prizes are unpublished. The 2026 rules awarded each national-final team member and one coach $1,000 for first place, $500 second, $250 third or $200 fourth; lodging and group meals were covered, but travel was not.
- Listed deadline
- 2027 state registration, national qualifying and finalist-confirmation dates are unpublished. Contact the state coordinator; the current program page offers registration-update alerts.
- Who can apply
- High school students. The current page places AP, IB, honors and returning competitors in Adam Smith; David Ricardo is for first-time competitors with no more than one economics course. The 2026 rules also required homeschooled students to enter Adam Smith and teams to share a school or eligible organization; those detailed 2027 rules are not yet confirmed.
The American Legion
National High School Oratorical Contest
- Award
- National winner $25,000; second $22,500; third $20,000; each state winner in the national first round $2,000, plus $2,000 more for advancing past round one. Over $203,500 total.
- Listed deadline
- Local post and state department entry dates vary. The 2027 national finals are May 14 to May 16, 2027 at Hillsdale College, Michigan, with mandatory orientation on Friday evening.
- Who can apply
- U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents under 20 on the national contest date, enrolled in grades 9-12 at high-school level, including home school. Enter only one department in which you reside or attend school. Early graduates may compete if not enrolled in higher education at the state finals. Previous national top-three finalists cannot compete again.
National Speech & Debate Association
National Speech & Debate Tournament scholarships
- Award
- Scholarship amounts vary by National Tournament event or recognition category. Individual 2027 award amounts and conditions are unpublished.
- Listed deadline
- 2027 National Tournament: June 13 to 18, 2027, Phoenix, Arizona. Qualification, registration and scholarship-specific deadlines for 2027 are not yet published.
- Who can apply
- High school speech and debate competitors. Tournament and scholarship eligibility vary by event and award. The 2026 rules also permitted limited supplemental-event entries by nonqualifiers with school and student NSDA membership; complete 2027 qualification and award restrictions are unpublished.
NCF-Envirothon
NCF-Envirothon International Competition
- Award
- Scholarships and prizes are part of the international competition. The 2027 monetary award amounts have not been announced.
- Listed deadline
- Qualify through your state, province or partner nation. The international competition is July 24 to 30, 2027 in Emmitsburg, Maryland; 2027 team registration dates are not yet published.
- Who can apply
- Teams of five students from the same school, nontraditional school or youth organization, in grades 9 to 12 and ages 14 to 19 at the start of the competition. Students must complete the current-year Envirothon program or training before the qualifying competition and be affiliated with a local conservation district or equivalent agency. State/provincial programs send one team; partner nations may send up to three. Teams with fewer than five compete only as exhibitions and cannot receive awards.
National Center for Women & Information Technology
NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award
- Award
- National Winners receive cash and a trip to the Bank of America celebration; the current prize chart does not state the cash amount. National Winners and Honorable Mentions receive an engraved award. Regional Affiliate Winners, Honorable Mentions and Rising Stars receive an engraved medallion. Recognition at a regional event is at the affiliate's discretion.
- Listed deadline
- Applications September 1, 2026 to October 27, 2026 at 10 p.m. ET. Optional educator endorsement November 5, 2026 at 10 p.m. ET. Under-18 applicants need parent/guardian approval to join the AiC Community before applying.
- Who can apply
- Grades 9 to 12, age 13 or older at account creation, involved in technology and attending a school in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands or on a U.S. overseas military base. Under-18 students need guardian approval for Community membership. National designations additionally require U.S. citizenship, permanent residence or the IRS substantial presence test, plus a U.S. tax identification or Social Security number. NCWIT staff, contractors, board members and their specified family/household members are excluded. Prior National Winners cannot win again; regional repeat awards are discretionary.
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
New York Life Award
- Award
- $2,500 scholarship/travel stipend to each of ten selected teens. Detailed current payment/use conditions are not public.
- Listed deadline
- Entries open October 1, 2026. Regional art/writing deadlines vary from December 1, 2026 to as late as January 4, 2027; use official Region Locator for your school/home region. Regional results January 27, 2027; national awards March 31, 2027.
- Who can apply
- All eligible Scholastic teens/categories; work about death, personal grief, memory and continuing connection after someone important died. General rule: grades 7-12, age at least 13 on entry, attending school and residing in U.S./territories/military bases or Canada excluding Quebec; qualifying home/virtual schools permitted. Awards are individual, not collaborative.
Optimist International
Optimist Essay Contest
- Award
- $2,500 district first-place scholarship, payable only to an approved college, university or trade school; claim by age 25. Discretionary local club cash/scholarship/savings-bond awards up to $500.
- Listed deadline
- 2026-27 local club deadlines vary; clubs generally finish by early February. Ask the sponsoring club for its dated deadline before submitting.
- Who can apply
- Under 19 on October 1, 2026, with no minimum age; secondary school/equivalent not yet completed, including CEGEP students. Enter in district of residence; U.S. military-installation pupils abroad may use last U.S. home of record. Non-districted places without a club are ineligible. Previous district Essay scholarship winners may never reenter.
Optimist International
Optimist Oratorical Contest
- Award
- District awards may be $2,500/$1,500/$1,000 at district discretion; $5,000 World Regional first prize and additional $15,000/$10,000/$5,000 World Championship prizes. Scholarship payable to approved college, university or trade school; claim by age 25.
- Listed deadline
- 2026-27 local club deadlines vary; most finish by late March. Confirm the sponsoring club deadline and current advancement-round dates, which are not published in the programme rules.
- Who can apply
- Under 19 on October 1, 2026, no minimum age, and secondary school/equivalent not completed, including CEGEP students. Previous first-place World Regional winners cannot reenter at any level. Proof of age required; district winners submit birth certificate/passport copy.
National Endowment for the Arts / Mid Atlantic Arts / state arts agencies
Poetry Out Loud
- Award
- National champion $20,000; second $10,000; third $5,000; fourth through ninth $1,000 each, plus one $1,000 honorable mention from each of three semifinals. State champion $200 and one state runner-up $100. Separate school/organization poetry-material stipends: $500 for national finalists, semifinal honorable mentions and state champions; $200 for state runners-up.
- Listed deadline
- Local/school entry and competition dates vary by state. State contests must finish by March 7, 2027; state champion and chaperone registration March 10, 2027. National events April 26 to 28, 2027 in Washington, D.C.; final April 28, 2027 at 7 p.m. ET.
- Who can apply
- Currently enrolled grades 9 to 12, with an exception for grade 8 students in a grades 9-12 class. Homeschoolers may enter through a willing local school or homeschool competition coordinated with the state. Prior national champions cannot return. Relatives/household members of national organizers cannot advance nationally; relatives of state coordinators and affiliated sponsors/contractors cannot advance beyond school level in that state.
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Portfolio awards
- Award
- $12,500 Gold Medal Portfolio; $2,000 Silver Medal Portfolio. Detailed current payment/use conditions are not public.
- Listed deadline
- Entries open October 1, 2026. Regional art/writing deadlines vary from December 1, 2026 to as late as January 4, 2027; use official Region Locator for your school/home region. Regional results January 27, 2027; national awards March 31, 2027.
- Who can apply
- Graduating high-school seniors only. General rule: grades 7-12, age at least 13 on entry, attending school and residing in U.S./territories/military bases or Canada excluding Quebec; qualifying home/virtual schools permitted. Awards are individual, not collaborative.
IvyPanda
Presentation Crafting Scholarship
- Award
- Prior prizes $1,000 / $500
- Listed deadline
- Closed; no next-cycle date
- Who can apply
- Current high-school, college or university students worldwide; winners must prove enrollment.
JFK Library Foundation
Profile in Courage Essay Contest
- Award
- Unrestricted cash prizes: $10,000 first, $3,000 second, three $1,000 finalist awards. Winner supplies tax forms; first winner and up to two guests receive paid travel/lodging if the May 2027 Boston event is held in person.
- Listed deadline
- Opens September 1, 2026; closes January 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time; winner/finalist confirmation April 30, 2027.
- Who can apply
- U.S. grades 9-12 schools/home schools, including undocumented students; U.S. correspondence/GED students under 20 in fifty states/D.C./territories; U.S. citizens at overseas schools. Past winners/finalists and sponsor employees' families excluded.
Society for Science
Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Grand Awards
- Award
- Category Grand Awards: $6,000, $2,400, $1,200 and $600 cash. Top awards selected from first-place projects include $100,000, two $75,000 awards and two $50,000 awards. Team awards are split equally. Some top awards are restricted to post-secondary educational expenses.
- Listed deadline
- Qualify through an affiliated fair with its own entry dates; the latest permitted 2027 affiliated-fair date is April 12, 2027. Finalist questionnaire and official party registration are due within 12 calendar days of the fair; virtual booth within 12 days of booth assignment. Abstract rewrites only are due April 16, 2027. ISEF: May 8 to May 14, 2027 in Los Angeles.
- Who can apply
- Grade 9-12 students or equivalent, selected by an affiliated fair, who have not reached age 20 on or before May 1 preceding ISEF. Individual or maximum three-member team projects; one project per student. Research is limited to 12 continuous months, starting no earlier than January 2026 and ending by May 2027. International students are eligible.
Society for Science
Regeneron Science Talent Search
- Award
- Each top-300 scholar receives $2,000 (with separate $2,000 school award). Top-40 finalist awards: $25,000 minimum, top ten $40,000-$250,000. Awards under $20,000 require documentation within two years; larger awards paid annually for education while enrolled in good standing, beginning within six years of award and ending within eight years of high-school matriculation.
- Listed deadline
- Application and all recommendations November 5, 2026 at 8 p.m. Eastern. Guaranteed support-request cutoff November 4, 2026 at 8 p.m. Eastern. Scholars January 7, 2027; finalists January 21, 2027; mandatory finals March 11-17, 2027; top awards March 16, 2027.
- Who can apply
- Final secondary-school year, not graduated by deadline and no prior STS entry; over 13, with required minor consent, and under 21 for adult entrants. Any citizenship with full-time residence and school enrollment in listed U.S./territory areas; qualifying U.S. citizens at overseas schools need citizenship/accreditation proof. Pre-collegiate team research cannot be split into individual submissions; independent work alongside adult researchers can qualify.
Regions Bank
Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest
- Award
- Each of four 2026 quarterly contests awards four $8,000 college scholarships, two written-essay and two video-essay winners. Paid to the designated accredited nonprofit U.S. undergraduate college; use fully by the end of 2027-28 for tuition/books/room/board or other college expenses. Unused funds may be forfeited; no graduate-school use.
- Listed deadline
- 2026 Q3 closes September 30, 2026; Q4 opens October 1, 2026 and closes December 31, 2026, both at 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time. Approximate Q3 winners November 30, 2026; Q4 winners February 28, 2027. Potential winners respond and submit required documents within 10 business days; identify the college within 30 days after award notification/acceptance.
- Who can apply
- Legal U.S. residents of AL, AR, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, SC, TN or TX, age at least 16, with at least one year or 18 semester hours before undergraduate graduation. Students not yet in college must start by 2027-28. Cumulative school GPA at least 2.0, or good standing/equivalent if the school gives no GPA. No Regions account or purchase required. One entry per quarter and one win in the entire 2026 contest.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute
Ronald Reagan Debate Series (Great Communicator Debate Series)
- Award
- Published historical national prizes include $10,000 first and $7,500 runner-up in 2023. Final 2027 individual scholarship amounts and award-use/payment terms are not published. Current 2027 rules provide national qualifiers a flight and hotel room for themselves and one chaperone.
- Listed deadline
- 2026-27 regional events: Irvine November 14, 2026; Richmond February 20, 2027; Dallas March 6, 2027; Thousand Oaks March 13, 2027; Las Vegas/Springfield April 3, 2027; Shepherdstown/Redding April 10, 2027; Independence April 30 to May 1, 2027; New York May 1, 2027; Salt Lake City May 8, 2027; Honolulu May 22, 2027; online June 5, 2027. Registration closes before each event; check its official Tabroom invitation. Georgia/Arkansas dates and 2027 national championship date are not published.
- Who can apply
- Current handbook permits grades 9 to 12, excluding middle school students. Accredited high school, virtual school and homeschool participants are eligible; the Richmond invitation also allows mid-year graduates. An approved adult must supervise in-person students and be judging or immediately available online. Confirm any regional-specific eligibility in its invitation.
Rotary District 5790 (North Texas)
Rotary 4-Way Test Speech Contest (District 5790)
- Award
- Club, regional and district cash awards vary by year and budget. Final 2027 prize amounts are not posted.
- Listed deadline
- 2026-27 cycle: regionals April 3, April 10 and April 17, 2027, at locations to be announced. District final April 24, 2027 at District Assembly. Local club entry/contest deadlines vary.
- Who can apply
- High school students in grades 9 to 12 (homeschoolers welcome) in the North Texas area of District 5790 who have not competed at the district level in a prior year.
Rotary District 5340 (San Diego and Imperial Valley)
Rotary Four-Way Test Speech Contest (District 5340)
- Award
- District finals: $1,000 grand prize, $750 runner-up, $500 other finalists; awards also at club, subregional and regional levels
- Listed deadline
- 2026-27 cycle: local club contests take place in January and February 2027, followed by subregional/regional rounds. District finals are April 22, 2027. Individual club entry deadlines vary.
- Who can apply
- High school students ages 14 to 18 residing in Rotary District 5340 (San Diego and Imperial Valley) who have not previously won first place.
Rotary District 7390 (South Central Pennsylvania)
Rotary Four-Way Test Speech Contest (District 7390)
- Award
- District finals: $1,250 (1st), $750 (2nd), $500 (3rd), $250 each (4th and 5th)
- Listed deadline
- 2026-27 cycle: club winners must be submitted by March 13, 2027; mid-level round March 27, 2027; finals April 17, 2027.
- Who can apply
- Grades 10 to 12 at a public, private or charter high school or homeschool within District 7390, and resident of Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry or York County, PA. Only one club contest per student per year.
Sons of the American Revolution
SAR Youth Video Contest
- Award
- Arizona state: $500 first, $250 second; national first prize currently listed as $1,750 on national page, versus $1,500 in older rules
- Listed deadline
- Arizona: January 15 annually for chapter entries
- Who can apply
- Grades 6-12; individual or group.
Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation
Science Without Borders Challenge
- Award
- $500 / $350 / $200; $50 People's Choice
- Listed deadline
- March 1, 2027, 11:59 p.m. Eastern
- Who can apply
- Primary/secondary or homeschool students worldwide ages 11-19; students age 10 may enter if turning 11 by March 1, 2027. College students are ineligible.
Sejong Cultural Society
Sejong Writing Competition: Sijo (Pre-college Division)
- Award
- Published 2026 pre-college prizes: $500 first, $400 second, $300 third, and $50 honorable mentions. Organizers reserve the right not to award prizes. Final 2027 awards are not published.
- Listed deadline
- 2027 deadline not yet posted; the 2026 deadline was February 28, 2026 (11:59 PM CT).
- Who can apply
- Published 2026 pre-college division: U.S./Canadian residents age 18 or younger at the deadline, regardless of ethnic background. An 18-year-old already attending college must enter the adult division; younger students cannot enter adult division. Final 2027 criteria are not published.
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)
Senior Brass and Voice Performance Competitions
- Award
- National Winner $2,000, Second $1,000, Third $500, Merit Awards $100 (separately for brass and voice)
- Listed deadline
- Registration opens November 1, 2026 on Acceptd; video deadline December 2, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. ET
- Who can apply
- Brass players (trumpet, horn, euphonium, trombone or tuba) and singers ages 15 to 18 on January 1, 2027, studying with a teacher. Entrants must reside in the U.S. during the competition year and be U.S. citizens, valid U.S. visa holders, asylees or permanent residents. Under-18 entrants need parent permission. Previous national first-place winners cannot reenter the same level and category.
Unigo
Shout It Out Scholarship
- Award
- $1,500, paid directly to an accredited college, university or trade school after enrollment proof, which must be submitted by 2031. No cash substitute.
- Listed deadline
- September 30, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Pacific
- Who can apply
- Legal residents of the fifty U.S. states or D.C., age 14 or older when applying, enrolled or enrolling by fall 2031 in accredited postsecondary education. Sponsor employees/officers/directors/agents, immediate family and same-household residents are excluded.
Sphinx Organization
Sphinx Competition (Junior and Senior Divisions)
- Award
- Junior Division (17 and under): $10,000, $5,000, $3,000. Senior Division (18 to 30): $50,000 Robert Frederick Smith Prize, $20,000, $10,000, $5,000 Audience Choice
- Listed deadline
- October 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET
- Who can apply
- National competition for string musicians (violin, viola, cello or bass). Junior Division entrants are 17 or younger; Senior Division entrants are 18 to 30. The organization celebrates artistic talent and addresses barriers in Black and Latino communities.
National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC)
Stillman Kelley National Instrumental Awards and Thelma Byrum Piano Award
- Award
- $2,000 first, $1,000 second, $750 third, five regional awards of $500; Thelma Byrum Piano Award $750 (for further study)
- Listed deadline
- March 1, 2027 (2026-27 NFMC awards chart).
- Who can apply
- Instrumentalists who have not reached their 19th birthday by March 1. NFMC Junior Division members (individual or through a federated club) who are U.S. citizens (native-born or naturalized).
Stossel in the Classroom
Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest
- Award
- High school division: first $2,500, second $1,000, third $500, five finalists $200, five semifinalists $100, 15 honorable mentions $50
- Listed deadline
- 11:59 PM ET, March 12, 2027
- Who can apply
- High school division: grades 9 to 12, within the contest's ages 10 to 19 during September 9, 2026 to March 12, 2027; reside in the United States, Canada or at a U.S. military address. One essay per writer. You may also enter the video contest but cannot also enter the 2026-27 AI Challenge. Previous first-place winners can receive prizes again only in a different division or contest type. Contest personnel and immediate family members are excluded.
Duck Brand
Stuck at Prom
- Award
- Prior-cycle first prizes of $10,000 for a dress and $10,000 for a tux; runner-up and special prizes also offered.
- Listed deadline
- The 2026 contest is complete. The 2027 entry dates and updated rules have not been published.
- Who can apply
- Prior-cycle rules: high school students age 14+ residing in eligible US jurisdictions or Canada. Maryland, Colorado, Nebraska, North Dakota and Quebec are excluded. Previous finalists are ineligible.
C-SPAN
StudentCam
- Award
- Cash per winning entry: $5,000 grand / $3,000 first / $1,500 second / $750 third / $250 honorable mention, shared equally among team members. Separate adviser awards and optional $500 Fan Favorite supplement.
- Listed deadline
- January 20, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time; winners March 17, 2027.
- Who can apply
- Current grades 6-12 U.S./D.C./territory schools or homeschool; equivalent international students age 18 or younger also eligible. Sponsor employees/officers/trustees and immediate families excluded. Prize portions over $600 require W-9 and SSN; without SSN the student remains recognized but receives no such cash.
Stulberg International String Competition
Stulberg International String Competition
- Award
- 2027 Gold $10,000, Silver $7,000 and Bronze $5,000, each with an orchestra performance award; medal prize money is paid half after competition and half after the performance award concert. Bach Prize $2,000; the other nine semifinalists receive $1,000 each.
- Listed deadline
- Opens October 19, 2026; complete application February 1, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Results by March 15, 2027. Live semifinals May 14, 2027, finals May 15, 2027 and required semifinalist masterclasses May 16, 2027 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
- Who can apply
- Violinists, violists, cellists and double bassists age 19 or under as of January 1, 2027. Current students of the 2027 judges are ineligible.
Unigo
Superpower Scholarship
- Award
- Conflict: headline $2,500; formal prize clause $1,500; one award paid directly to the institution after enrollment proof by 2032. No cash substitute.
- Listed deadline
- March 31, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
- Who can apply
- Legal residents of the fifty U.S. states or D.C., age 14 or older, enrolled or enrolling by fall 2032 at an accredited college, university or trade school. Sponsor employees/agents, immediate families and same-household residents excluded.
Unigo
Sweet and Simple Scholarship
- Award
- $1,500; one award paid directly to the institution after enrollment proof by 2032. No cash substitute.
- Listed deadline
- February 28, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
- Who can apply
- Legal residents of the fifty U.S. states or D.C., age 14 or older, enrolled or enrolling by fall 2032 at an accredited college, university or trade school. Sponsor employees/agents, immediate families and same-household residents excluded.
Ayn Rand Institute
The Fountainhead Essay Contest
- Award
- Cash awards; schedule pending
- Listed deadline
- The next contest deadline could not be confirmed from accessible official pages.
- Who can apply
- Middle and high school students worldwide, age 13 or older; enrolled in school during the contest.
Project Paradigm
The Paradigm Challenge
- Award
- For teams of four or more: grand prize $100,000 instead of first place $10,000; other age-division first places $10,000, seconds $2,000, thirds $1,000; other finalists up to $200 per team. For teams smaller than four, each qualifying member receives 25% of the listed team prize ($25,000 for the grand prize; $50 for other finalists).
- Listed deadline
- May 1, 2027, 11:59 p.m. PST, as stated in the official rules. Finalists announced by June 1, 2027.
- Who can apply
- Ages 4 to 18 on submission, with parent or legal-guardian permission. International participants are eligible except residents of U.S.-sanctioned jurisdictions; sponsor-related personnel and their specified family or household members are excluded. The oldest member determines the age division, and any ineligible member disqualifies the whole team.
Unigo
Top Ten List Scholarship
- Award
- $1,500; one award paid directly to the institution after enrollment proof by 2031. No cash substitute.
- Listed deadline
- December 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
- Who can apply
- Legal residents of the fifty U.S. states or D.C., age 14 or older, enrolled or enrolling by fall 2031 at an accredited college, university or trade school. Sponsor employees/agents, immediate families and same-household residents excluded.
Toshiba / National Science Teaching Association
Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision
- Award
- First prize (4 teams): per student, a $10,000 Series EE savings bond at maturity, $5,000 cash, or $5,000 to a 529 plan. Second prize (4 teams): $5,000 bond, $2,500 cash, or $2,500 to a 529 plan. Finalists get a Washington, DC trip.
- Listed deadline
- Coach submits the project online by 8:00 PM ET, January 27, 2027
- Who can apply
- U.S. or Canadian citizens living in the U.S., Canada, U.S. territories or a DoWEA school abroad, enrolled full time and no older than 21. The oldest team member sets the category; high-school category is grades 10-12. One project per student. NSTA employees, board members, judges and their families are excluded. Previous regional/national finalists need a new team of previously nonfinalist students; previously prize-winning projects are ineligible.
Water Environment Federation
U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize
- Award
- Published U.S. national award: $10,000 per winning project and a paid trip to Stockholm. WEF lists a $15,000 international award plus $5,000 for the winner's school, expressly subject to change. The 2027 international prize terms are unconfirmed.
- Listed deadline
- 2027 competition dates are not published. The latest official eligibility page still lists April 15, 2026 for state entry, virtual national judging in May 2026 and in-person finals June 8 to June 10, 2026.
- Who can apply
- The latest rules allow grade 9-12 students who conduct water-related scientific research and reach age 15 by August 1 of the competition year. Individuals and two-person teams may enter; state competition is limited to residents of the 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico. Current 2027 rules are not yet published.
Unigo
Unigo $10K Scholarship
- Award
- $10,000; one award paid directly to the institution after enrollment proof by 2031. No cash substitute.
- Listed deadline
- December 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
- Who can apply
- Legal residents of the fifty U.S. states or D.C., age 14 or older, enrolled or enrolling by fall 2031 at an accredited college, university or trade school. Sponsor employees/agents, immediate families and same-household residents excluded.
USA Brain Bee
USA Brain Bee National Championship
- Award
- 2026 cash prizes: first $1,500, second $1,000 and third $500; the national winner advances to the International Brain Bee. The next-cycle prize/fee and travel arrangements are not published.
- Listed deadline
- 2027 national and local qualifying dates are not posted. The national page still lists the completed April 25, 2026 UC Irvine championship; local chapter deadlines vary.
- Who can apply
- Published rules: age 13 to 19 at competition and current or former enrollment in an accredited U.S. high school. Only one local chapter competition per year; only one national championship and one International World Championship in a lifetime. A local chapter victory is required nationally. Complete 2027 cycle terms are not posted.
VFW
Voice of Democracy
- Award
- $35,000 national first prize, paid directly to an American college/university or vocational/technical school; other national awards up to $21,000. State first-place winners receive at least $1,000 and the Valley Forge leadership trip; local/district awards vary.
- Listed deadline
- October 31, 2026 at midnight to the participating sponsoring VFW Post; no time zone stated.
- Who can apply
- Grades 9-12 by October 31, in U.S./territory schools or home study, or qualifying overseas dependents schools; under age 20. Citizenship not required: lawful permanent residents OR pending-not-denied permanent-residence applicants who intend earliest lawful citizenship. Foreign-exchange, GED and adult-education students excluded.
Constituting America
We the Future Contest
- Award
- $1,000 essay/STEM; $2,000 song/film/social-video/PSA (split for teams)
- Listed deadline
- May 31,2027, 11:59 p.m. Eastern
- Who can apply
- US citizens or legal residents in grades 9-12, ages 14-19 at entry, attending eligible schools in the US, territories or Armed Forces schools abroad. Former winners may win at most twice and never twice in the same category.
National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC)
Wendell Irish Viola Awards
- Award
- $2,000 first, $1,000 second, one $500 award in each of the 5 NFMC regions
- Listed deadline
- March 1, 2027 (2026-27 NFMC awards chart).
- Who can apply
- Violists who have reached their 12th but not their 19th birthday by the application deadline. NFMC Junior Division members (individual or through a federated club) who are U.S. citizens (native-born or naturalized).
Freedom From Religion Foundation
William J. Schulz Memorial Essay Contest for College-Bound High School Seniors
- Award
- First through tenth place awards from $3,500 down to $300, plus optional honorable mentions of $200 each (2026 contest)
- Listed deadline
- FFRF says the 2027 essay contest will be announced in March 2027. The 2027 entry deadline is not yet published; June 1, 2026 was the previous cutoff.
- Who can apply
- Published 2026 rules cover high school seniors graduating in spring/summer and entering college in fall, including gap-year graduates entering college in fall 2026. Only one FFRF contest per year, and no re-entry in a contest where the student previously won an award. Final 2027 criteria are not published.
Population Connection / Population Education
World of 8 Billion Student Video Contest
- Award
- For each of three topics: high school first $1,200, second $600, two $300 honorable mentions; finalist $80 and state/region honors $25. Group prizes are split.
- Listed deadline
- March 3, 2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.
- Who can apply
- Grades 6-12 worldwide; grades 9-12 enter high school division. Individual or team. International and middle-school/under-13 entrants need initial guardian consent.
Writers of the Future
Writers of the Future Contest
- Award
- Quarterly cash prizes $1,000/$750/$500, paid within 60 days of announcement. Quarterly first winners compete for an additional $5,000 annual cash prize. Winners offered travel/hotel for annual ceremony and free writing workshop.
- Listed deadline
- Recurring quarterly cutoffs: December 31, March 31, June 30 and September 30, midnight Pacific Time; postal postmark or electronic receipt. Late work moves to following quarter.
- Who can apply
- New/amateur writers who have not professionally published a novel/short novel, more than one novelette, or more than three short stories. Professional means at least eight cents/word and at least 5,000 copies/hits. Any quarterly prize winner cannot enter again; unchanged repeated submissions become ineligible. Void where prohibited by law; rules impose no age restriction.
VFW Auxiliary
Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest (and 3-D Patriotic Art Contest)
- Award
- 2026-27 national 2-D prizes: $15,000 first; $7,500 second; $4,500 third; $4,000 fourth; $1,500 fifth/sixth; $1,000 seventh-tenth; $750 eleventh; $500 twelfth-twenty-third. 3-D prizes: $2,500 first, $1,500 second, $1,000 third/fourth, $500 fifth. Paid directly to the chosen American college, university or vocational/technical school after verification; funds may be held for up to five years after high school graduation.
- Listed deadline
- March 31, 2027: student entries to a participating sponsoring VFW Auxiliary. April 15, 2027: local/district winners to state judging. May 5, 2027: state first-place entries received at national headquarters. Students cannot enter directly at nationals.
- Who can apply
- Grades 9 to 12 by March 31, 2027 at U.S./territory schools or homeschool, or overseas dependents of U.S. military/civilian personnel. Citizenship is not required: lawful permanent residents or applicants whose permanent-residence application has not been denied and who intend to become citizens qualify. No foreign-exchange, age 20 or older, GED or adult-education students. Prior national winners cannot reenter the same contest; no VFW family relationship required.
National YoungArts Foundation
YoungArts
- Award
- Cash awards: $250 for YoungArts Award; distinction winners attending National YoungArts Week evaluated for up to $10,000; distinction winners unable to attend receive $500. Winners must complete 1.5-hour financial literacy instruction to receive payment.
- Listed deadline
- Application October 6, 2026 at 8 p.m. Eastern; distinction programme in Miami January 9-17, 2027.
- Who can apply
- Either grades 10-12 or ages 15-18 as of December 1, 2026; U.S. citizen, permanent resident OR legally able to receive U.S. taxable income (such as SSN/ITIN). Prior National YoungArts Week attendees cannot reapply in any discipline. Individual applicants; collaborative elements may be allowed by category.
Unigo
Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship
- Award
- Conflict: headline $2,000; official prize clause $1,500
- Listed deadline
- October 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
- Who can apply
- Legal residents of the fifty U.S. states or D.C., age 14 or older, enrolled or enrolling by fall 2031 in accredited college, university or trade school. Sponsor employees/agents and immediate family/same household are excluded.