JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest Opening Soon
Offered by John F. Kennedy Library Foundation
About This Scholarship
Run by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, this contest asks high schoolers to research and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917 — the year JFK was born. It's an original historical argument, not a personal statement: essays run 700 to 1,000 words (citations excluded) and must draw on at least five varied sources such as government documents, letters, newspaper articles, books, or interviews.
First place earns $10,000, second place $3,000, finalists receive $1,000 each, and the foundation also names a group of honorable mentions. The contest is open to U.S. high school students in grades nine through twelve — public, private, parochial, or home school — plus students under 20 in correspondence or GED programs and U.S. citizens attending school overseas.
The current cycle opens for submissions September 1, 2026 and closes January 12, 2027. Because the contest demands a researched, cited essay, students willing to dig into primary sources on a less-covered figure have a real edge over entrants who pick the obvious names.
Eligibility
- U.S. high school student in grades 9-12 (public, private, parochial, or home school)
- Also open to U.S. students under 20 in high school correspondence/GED programs and U.S. citizens at schools overseas
- Essay must profile a U.S. elected official's act of political courage during or after 1917
- No entry fee
How To Apply
- Choose a subject and research their act of political courage using at least five varied sources
- Write an essay (roughly 700-1,000 words) with citations, following the contest requirements
- Submit through the contest portal between September 1, 2026 and January 12, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I write about a famous politician like JFK or a sitting president?
JFK himself is off-limits, and judges consistently reward lesser-known subjects — picking an obscure state legislator or judge with a well-documented courageous stand usually scores better than a famous name.
Does the JFK essay contest count as a scholarship?
The awards are cash prizes you can put toward college, and the first-place winner is honored at the JFK Library — a distinctive credential for history- and government-minded applicants.