This spring, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is pleased to offer a series of contests for students in grades 3 through 12. All contests are free to enter, provide cash prizes for the winners, and allow students the opportunity to explore a particular topic, theme, or individual from American history. 

Learn more about each contest below, and please email education@gilderlehrman.org if you have any questions!

The 2025 Vietnam Veterans: Legacies of Service Awards

• Eligible grade levels: 6–12

• Prizes: Ten $500 prizes

• Submission deadline: Friday, May 2

The Legacies of Service Awards offer students in grades 6–12 the opportunity to explore the work of America’s Veterans and win one of ten $500 prizes.

This year, participating students are invited to create a biographical profile of a Vietnam War Veteran or service member who is interred in a National Cemetery. Students may submit their profile in any format they wish, including written reports, eulogies, videos, podcasts, poems, or songs.

Learn more about the 2025 Vietnam Veterans: Legacies of Service Awards.

The Citizenship Challenge: Redesigning America’s Citizenship Test

• Eligible grade levels: 3–12

• Prizes: Ten $500 prizes

• Submission deadline: Thursday, May 15

This contest—split into Grades 3–8 and Grades 9–12 divisions—allows students to showcase their understanding of American history and civics by suggesting a relevant and insightful question to be added to the naturalization exam.

Students can submit their suggestions via a short essay, mini-podcast, or short video entry. Learn more about the Citizenship Challenge.

In addition to receiving the $500 prize, each winning student will be featured on our Citizenship Test: Civics and American History web page.

David McCullough Essay Prizes

• Eligible grade levels: 9–12

• Prizes:

  • 1st Prize: $5,000 (plus a $500 prize awarded to the school)

  • 2nd Prize: $1,500 (plus a $500 prize awarded to the school)

  • Five 3rd Place Prizes of $500 each

• Submission deadline: Friday, June 27

The David McCullough Essay Prizes recognize seven outstanding high school students with prizes of up to $5,000.

High school students are invited to submit an original essay—written independently or for a 2024–2025 class—that has been revised, expanded, and adapted to conform with the McCullough Prize specifications, namely:

1. An interpretive essay focusing on close reading and analysis of a primary source in the Gilder Lehrman Collection

   OR

2. A research essay, incorporating primary and secondary sources, on any topic in American history from 1491 to 2001.

Learn more about the David McCullough Essay Prizes.