Americans United Student Contest Last Chance
Offered by Americans United for Separation of Church and State
About This Scholarship
Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 1947, runs an annual student contest with cash prizes up to $1,500 plus publication of winning work. The 2026 theme ties into America's 250th anniversary, with separate essay and video prompts on religious freedom and church-state separation — and students may enter one or both contests and win in both.
Eligibility is broad: high school students and undergraduates at any two- or four-year college, university, or trade and technical school, living anywhere in the U.S., D.C., or the territories. Essays run 750 to 1,000 words with citations required in any format; videos run one to two minutes in portrait orientation, in any style from talking-head to animation. AU judges on argument strength, voice, and quality — and explicitly disqualifies AI-written or AI-produced submissions, reviewing all entries for AI use.
Beyond the check, first-place essays are printed in Church and State magazine and first-place videos screen at AU's Summit for Religious Freedom, with all winning entries published on AU's platforms. One honest note: AU states the prize money does not have to be spent on academic expenses, so treat this as a cash award for current students rather than restricted tuition aid.
Eligibility
- High school students, and undergraduates at any 2- or 4-year college, university, or trade/technical school
- Must live in the United States, D.C., or U.S. territories
- One essay and/or one video per student; entering both contests is allowed
- All work must be original; AI-written or AI-produced submissions are disqualified
- AU employees, board members, and their immediate families are ineligible
How To Apply
- Choose the essay prompt (750-1,000 words, citations required) or the video prompt (1-2 minutes, portrait format), or do both
- Fact-check your work and cite your sources in any citation format
- Submit through the entry form on AU's contest page by 11:59 p.m. PT on Monday, October 5, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I enter both the essay and video contests?
Yes. The two contests have different prompts, and students who enter both are eligible to win in both.
Does the prize money have to go toward tuition?
No. AU describes this as a scholarship opportunity for current students, but the prize money does not need to be spent on academic expenses.
Can I use AI tools to help write my essay?
No. AU's rules state that using AI to write or produce your submission results in disqualification, and all submissions are reviewed for AI use.