📅 Key Dates & Deadlines
| Entry Deadline | August 1, 2025 |
| Notification of Winners | Within 3 months post-deadline |
| Prize Collection Deadline | Within 6 months of results |
Every year, the Ayn Rand Institute (ARI) invites high school, undergraduate, and graduate students across the globe to enter its prestigious Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest. By composing a thoughtful essay on Rand’s magnum opus, you’ll explore the novel’s core themes, sharpen your critical-thinking and writing skills—and compete for life-changing scholarship prizes.
🎓 Eligibility
- Open worldwide, except where local laws prohibit.
- For grade 12, undergraduate, and graduate students active during the contest year.
- ARI may accommodate international or non-traditional students on a case-by-case basis.
- Essays must be written in English, 800–1,600 words, original (no plagiarism), and solely authored by the entrant.
🧭 How to Apply
- Pick an essay prompt—typically centered on a key theme or character in Atlas Shrugged.
- Write your essay (800–1,600 words, English, no personal info in text).
- Create an ARI account and submit your essay online. Each student may submit one entry per contest/year
- Await email confirmation (usually within 24 hours). Winners are notified by email within ~3 months
💰 Scholarships & Prizes
- Grand Prize: $25,000 (1 winner)
- 1st Place seasonal prizes: ~$3,000–$10,000
- Additional awards: Multiple runner-up prizes ranging from $50 to $2,500, totaling over $90,000/year.
Winners receive
- Cash awards
- Official recognition
- Possible video interviews or promotional features
- The prestige of engaging deeply with philosophical literature
