Who: Grades 6–12
What: Create an essay, short video, or song about civics topics.
How: Submit online; winners earn $500.
When: Deadline usually January.
More info: Civics Challenge Official Site
Who: Grades 9–12
What: Address a timely civics topic (e.g., constitutional law).
How: Submit online; national winners receive scholarships.
When: Deadlines vary, typically February.
More info: FBA Civics Essay Contest
Who: Grades K–12
What: Write an essay connecting personally to world history themes.
How: Submit online.
When: Past deadlines in May.
More info: World Historian Essay Competition
Who: Teams of 2–3 students, grades K–12
What: Fast-paced team quiz on world geography.
How: Register via IAC; national championship in May.
When: Late spring.
More info: IAC - US Division
Who: Grades 9–12
What: Essay on an act of political courage in U.S. history.
How: Submit online.
When: Deadline usually January.
More info: JFK Essay Contest
Who: High school teams
What: Field-based contest covering ecology and environment.
How: Join local/regional teams; winners advance to finals.
When: Regional/state events in spring; finals in summer.
More info: North American Envirothon
Who: High school teams (9 students per team)
What: Academic decathlon testing multiple subjects including history.
How: Register through local/state coordinators.
When: Typically spring.
More info: USAD Website
Who: Grades 10–12
What: Deliver a 5–6 minute memorized speech on the Revolutionary War.
How: Submit through local SAR chapters.
When: Deadlines vary; nationals in spring.
More info: Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest
Who: Middle & high school teams
What: Buzzer quiz formats covering social studies, current events, and culture.
How: Enter local/regional tournaments leading to nationals.
When: Fall–spring; national championship late spring.
More info: NAQT Quiz Bowl
Who: Grades 6–8
What: Essay submission leading to live “bee” competition.
How: Submit a 500-word essay to a local chapter.
When: Local deadlines vary (often Feb); nationals May–June.
More info: National Civics Bee
Who: Grades 3–12
What: Essay topics vary by grade, focused on civic responsibility.
How: Submit via NCSC portal.
When: Begins in Fall.
More info: NCSC Essay Contest
Who: Grades 3–12
What: Team-based games on history, language arts, and civics.
How: Join local leagues; compete regionally/nationally.
When: Schedule varies; national tournament annually.
More info: Academic Games League of America
Who: Grades K–12
What: Quiz-style contests in U.S. or world history.
How: Register via IAC; regional and national rounds.
When: Regionals Oct–Apr; finals May.
More info: IAC - US Division (History Bee)
Who: Grades K–12
What: Essay connecting local experience to global history.
How: Submit essays online.
When: Deadline typically May.
More info: World Historian Site
Who: Middle and high school teams
What: Simulated congressional hearings testing civic knowledge.
How: Register via local/state coordinators.
When: Typically spring.
More info: civiced.org
Who: High school students
What: Research essay using primary sources on U.S. history.
How: Submit online.
When: Typically June.
More info: Gilder Lehrman website
Who: Grades 9–12
What: 800–1,200 word essay on Revolutionary-era history.
How: Enter through local SAR chapters.
When: Varies by chapter; nationals in spring.
More info: G&S Essay Contest
Who: U.S. high school students
What: 1,000–1,500 word essay on diplomacy and global affairs.
How: Apply via AFSA’s portal.
When: Usually launches in October.
More info: Official Contest Page