John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Contest
Location:
United States (open to U.S. high school students in public, private, parochial, home schools, or U.S. citizens studying abroad)
Cost:
Free entry; no application or submission fee
Contest Date:
Submission opens September 1, 2024
Application Deadlines:
deadline January 17, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST
Eligibility:
U.S. high school students in grades 9–12, including correspondence/GED programs and U.S. citizens attending schools overseas; previous winners and finalists are not eligible
This annual writing contest invites U.S. high school students to submit an original essay (700–1,000 words) analyzing an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served in or after 1917. Essays must include at least five varied sources and follow proper citation formats. Winning submissions are selected based on clarity of argument, depth of analysis, originality, and writing quality. Major awards include $10,000 for first place, with cash prizes also awarded to runners-up and semifinalists
Please note: This information is compiled from publicly available sources and may change from year to year. Dates, locations, fees, and other details are subject to updates—please verify all information directly on the official competition website before applying.