Important Dates

Submissions Opens September 2026

Submissions Deadline

December 31, 2026

Registration Cost

United States citizens or legal resident aliens

attending school, including accredited home schools

essay must be a minimum of 800 words and may not exceed 1,200 words

at least three references must be published works

Plagiarism will be grounds for immediate disqualification

no bindings or special covers allowed

Graphics are not permitted

essay must be written in English

must have four parts

cover page, essay, bibliography, and contestant's biography