Scholarship
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest
John F. Kennedy Library Foundation
Award
$10,000 first place; $3,000 second; $1,000 finalists
Deadline
~Jan 12, 2027
Estimated; confirm on sponsor site
Annual essay contest for U.S. high school students in grades 9-12 to describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917. First place receives $10,000.
Eligibility
- Grade levels
- High school
- Citizenship
- Any
- Fields of study
- Social sciences, Humanities
- Essay
- Required
Application requirements
- Write original essay on contest topic: Describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917. Minimum 700, maximum 1,000 words; bibliography excluded from count.
- Include bibliography and at least five sources: Minimum five varied sources with parenthetical in-text citations. Bibliography required in APA, MLA, or Turabian.
- Submit registration form online: Complete the registration form and submit online by the published contest deadline on the official site.
- List nominating teacher: All students must list a nominating teacher who may review the essay for syntax, grammar, spelling, and contest requirements.
Verified Jun 24, 2026 · View official source