The Congressional Award
Catalog organization: The Congressional Award Foundation
Compiled by: ExtracurricularHub Editorial Team — editorial policy
Last updated
What Is The Congressional Award?
The Congressional Award is the U.S. Congress's nonpartisan, voluntary, noncompetitive award program for young people living in U.S. states and territories. Participants register once, choose an adult Advisor, set prospective goals, and complete activities in four areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. Independent Validators certify each goal, and the Advisor signs the completed Record Book. Work completed before registration cannot count.
Participants may register at age 13.5, begin submitting awards at 14, and must finish activities before their 24th birthday. They may progress through Bronze, Silver, and Gold Certificates and Medals or start at a higher level. The Gold Medal requires at least 24 months, 400 public-service hours, 200 personal-development hours, 200 physical-fitness hours, and a five-day/four-night expedition or exploration. No GPA, competitive selection, or fixed weekly schedule applies.
The Congressional Award Key Facts: Cost, Deadline, and Eligibility
| Cost | Varies — see Cost and funding |
|---|---|
| Format | Hybrid |
| Eligibility | Up to age 23 |
| Application deadline | Rolling applications |
| Listing last updated | August 30, 2026 |
Program details shown here reflect the current catalog record.
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