Annual essay contests run by the Ayn Rand Institute on Ayn Rand's novels, open to students worldwide. The Anthem and The Fountainhead contests are open to middle and high school students ages 13 and older, with prizes totaling up to $2,000 for Anthem and up to $25,000 for The Fountainhead. A separate Atlas Shrugged contest is open to high school, college, and graduate students, and entrants may receive a free Rand book.
Offered by Ayn Rand Institute. Competition for high school students in USA. Format: Online. Cost: Free. Grades 9–12. Deadline: rolling or not yet announced.
Fields: Writing, Philosophy, Literature, Humanities
Info checked October 2026.
No date is posted for the 2026-27 cycle yet. Check the official page for when applications open.
Yes. Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests is free to take part in.
High school students in grades 9 to 12. It runs online. Age, residency and citizenship rules are on the official page.
More academic competitions for high school students