Competition
National Economics Challenge
Council for Economic Education
Recognition
National Finals cash prizes per division: 1st place $1,000, 2nd place $500, 3rd place $250, 4th place $200 (plus trophies); top state teams receive an all-expenses-paid trip (lodging/meals, excluding travel) to the in-person National Finals in Atlanta, GA.
Deadline
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The National Economics Challenge is a team-based economics competition for U.S. high school students, run by the Council for Economic Education, in which state-champion teams advance through an online National Semi-Finals to an in-person National Finals featuring a Critical Thinking Round and an oral Quiz Bowl.
Eligibility
- Grade levels
- High school
- Fields of study
- Business, Social sciences
Application requirements
- Form a team of 3-4 students from the same school, club, or afterschool program (or eligible homeschool group), with a supervising coach affiliated with that...: Form a team of 3-4 students from the same school, club, or afterschool program (or eligible homeschool group), with a supervising coach affiliated with that school/organization. Teams are placed in the David Ricardo Division (one or fewer general economics courses) or the Adam Smith Division (AP/IB/multiple economics courses); any student with more than one economics course must compete in Adam Smith.
- Locate and connect with your state's Council on Economic Education program to join the state-level competition.: The official CEE page directs students to 'Find a Program in Your State' to enter, since NEC is administered through state affiliates.
- Register your team for the state competition through the national registration portal.: Official rules state: 'To register for your state competition visit: https://econchallenge.unl.edu/'.
- Win your state championship in your division to earn the state's spot in the Online National Semi-Finals.: Each state identifies one state champion team per division (David Ricardo and Adam Smith) to advance.
- Compete in the Online National Semi-Finals (45-question multiple-choice exam); top-scoring teams advance to the in-person National Finals (Critical Thinking...: Compete in the Online National Semi-Finals (45-question multiple-choice exam); top-scoring teams advance to the in-person National Finals (Critical Thinking Round and Quiz Bowl) in Atlanta.
Verified Jul 8, 2026 · View official source