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Since 1996, NIAF has proudly joined with the National Christopher Columbus Association (NCCA) to sponsor an annual national essay contest on a topic related to Christopher Columbus for high school students throughout the United States.
Three outstanding essays are chosen from amongst the submissions to win a cash prize. The first-place winner receives a $1,200 prize and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington to read the essay at the Columbus Day event in Washington. The second-place winner receives $500 and the third-place winner receives $300.
As the United States approaches its Semiquincentennial in 2026, we reflect on the bold ideals that have shaped our nation – freedom, innovation and the pursuit of opportunity. Long before America’s founding, Christopher Columbus’s 1492 voyage symbolized a courageous leap into the unknown. How did Columbus’s voyages and spirit of exploration reflect the values that would later define the American identity?
The contest is open to students in grades 9 through 12 in public, private, or parochial schools, or to those who are home schooled. This contest is conducted without regard to race, religion, gender, or national origin.
For more information regarding the specific criteria of the essay, please visit the link below.
All submissions must be sent as PDF or Word Document format via e-mail to education@niaf.org.
Deadline: March 15, 2026 – 11:59pm EST
Notification: June 15, 2026 – 5:00 pm EST
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