What do Essay Contest Winners Receive?
College Scholarships
State-level selection categories include the fifty U.S. states, Washington, D.C., U.S. Territories, and American student abroad. First place state-level winners compete for national awards.
3 National Awards:
- First place, $10,000*
- Second place, $5,000*
- Third place, $2,500*
53 State Awards
- First place, $1,000
*National Awards include State Award amounts.
Invitation to the Awards Program in Washington, D.C.
First place state winners are invited to Washington for the awards program. The Institute pays for expenses related to the program, including travel, lodging, meals, and entertainment. This unique, five-day program promotes an understanding of the nature and process of international peacemaking by focusing on a region and/or theme related to the current essay topic. Program activities have included:
- taking part in a simulation exercise in which students assume rolse of national and international leaders, examine issues, address crises, and then formulate and propose solutions;
- meeting with U.S. government officials and political leaders;
- participating in briefings by highly-regarded practitioners and foreign government officials;
- visiting historical and cultural sites;
- attending a musical or play;
- sampling international cuisines from some of Washington's most interesting ethnic restaurants.
