Essay Contests & Writing Competitions for High School Students

Essay contests are the fastest way to turn writing skill into application-ready proof: a national title from a major foundation prize fits on one line and needs no explanation.

Most cost nothing to enter and run on annual cycles — the winning strategy is entering several with one well-revised essay adapted to each prompt.

24 verified programs match this page; 20 of the featured listings are completely free; 21 can be done online.

Featured programs

Browse 24+ curated programs for high school students:

• American Enterprise Institute High School Economics Writing Competition — American Enterprise Institute: Economics essay competition from AEI. Analyze economic policy issues for prizes.
• Lincoln Forum Scholarship Essay Contest — The Lincoln Forum: Essay contest on Abraham Lincoln and Civil War era. Cash prizes and attendance at annual symposium. Shows historical research and writing excellence.
• Harvard Undergraduate Economics Association Essay Competition — Harvard College: International essay competition on economics topics. Winners published in Harvard Economic Review and receive prizes.
• Ayn Rand Institute Anthem Essay Contest — Ayn Rand Institute: Essay contest on Ayn Rand's Anthem. $2,000 first prize for 9th-10th graders.
• St. Gallen Symposium Wings of Excellence Essay Competition — St. Gallen Symposium Foundation: Top 100 essayists invited to prestigious annual symposium with global leaders. Fully funded trip to Switzerland. One of most selective student opportu
• Horizon Academic AI Essay Prize — Horizon Academic: Compete in a selective AI essay competition for high school students. Build research and writing skills, boost college applications, and explore cutti
• National High School Essay Contest — American Anthropological Association: Explore anthropology in this free essay competition for grades 9-12. Develop writing skills, boost college applications, and showcase your ideas in a
• Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Competition — Veterans of Foreign Wars: Patriotic audio essay competition with scholarships.
• Elie Wiesel Foundation Prize in Ethics Essay Contest — Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity: Join a national ethics essay competition for high school seniors to showcase your writing and critical thinking skills. Boost college applications and
• Optimist International Essay Contest — Optimist International: Compete in a virtual essay competition for high school students (grades 9-12) to sharpen writing skills, build your resume, and boost college applicat
• JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest — JFK Library: Essay contest on political courage. $10k first prize. Winners invited to Boston.
• APA TOPSS High School Psychology Student Competition — American Psychological Association (TOPSS): Showcase your psychology knowledge in this free online competition for high school students. Build writing skills, enhance college apps, and explore S
• Paideia Essay Contest — Modern Greek Studies Association: Join a national essay competition exploring Greek language and culture. Open to high school students, this free contest boosts writing skills and stre
• Fountainhead Essay Contest — Ayn Rand Institute: Win up to $10k in this essay competition for high school juniors and seniors. Sharpen writing and analytical skills while boosting your college applic
• Ayn Rand Institute Fountainhead Essay Contest — Ayn Rand Institute: Compete in a national essay competition for high school juniors and seniors. Develop writing skills, explore philosophy, and win up to $10,000 for col
• InvestWrite Essay Competition — SIFMA Foundation: Compete in a national essay competition for high school students to sharpen financial literacy and writing skills. Stand out on college applications w
• JFK Profiles in Courage Essay Contest — John F. Kennedy Library Foundation: Showcase your writing skills in this national high school essay competition on political courage. Win up to $10,000, boost your college applications,
• National Peace Essay Contest — United States Institute of Peace: Prestigious essay contest from the U.S. Institute of Peace challenging high school students to analyze international conflict and propose peacebuildin
• Federal Reserve Bank Economic Essay Contest — Federal Reserve: Economic essay competitions hosted by regional Federal Reserve Banks.
• DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship — Daughters of the American Revolution: Showcase your leadership and patriotism through this hybrid high school competition. Build skills, earn recognition, and strengthen your college appli
• American Foreign Service Association National High School Essay Contest — United States Institute of Peace: Showcase your writing skills in a national essay competition on peace and conflict. Boost your college applications and explore international relation
• EngineerTeen Annual Writing Contest — National Academy of Engineering: The National Academy of Engineering's annual writing contest through its EngineerGirl and EngineerTeen programs: students in grades 3-12 respond to an
• National WWII Museum Student Writing Contest — The National WWII Museum: Annual essay contest from The National WWII Museum for grades 7-12 with cash prizes in junior and senior divisions; 2026-27 submissions open October 2
• George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest — National Society Sons of the American Revolution: National essay contest from the Sons of the American Revolution: students in grades 9-12 write an original researched essay on the American Revolution

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