Deadline: 08-Oct-2025
The Ayn Rand Institute is inviting applications for its Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest to support students from 9th grade through graduate school.
The contest features a $40,000 total prize pool, with seasonal awards that include a first-place prize of $3,000, a second-place prize of $2,000, and a third-place prize of $1,000. Seasonal winners also have the opportunity to advance and compete for the annual grand prize of $22,000, giving participants the chance to win up to $25,000.
The contest is designed to highlight students’ ability to engage with the philosophical meaning of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged while demonstrating clear, well-organized, and articulate writing. With multiple seasonal rounds and an annual grand prize, participants have repeated opportunities to succeed and gain recognition.
Essays are judged on whether the student is able to justify and argue for his or her view, rather than on whether the Institute agrees with the perspective expressed. Graders look for writing that is clear, articulate, and logically organized. Submissions should stay on topic, address all parts of the selected prompt, and interrelate the ideas and events in the novel. To win, essays must demonstrate an outstanding grasp of the philosophic meaning of Atlas Shrugged, with emphasis on clarity, organization, understanding, and relevance.
To participate, students must register for the contest by clicking ‘Get Started,’ verifying their email address, completing the registration form, and gaining instant access to the book and essay prompts. After registering, students should read Atlas Shrugged carefully, paying close attention to the characters and philosophical themes, while enjoying the story.
Essays must then be written in English, original and unpublished, between the stated word limits, and include page citations for any quoted material. All essays must be the student’s own work, and participants are encouraged to stay tuned for grading updates and possible interview invitations.
Each student may submit one entry per seasonal round by the deadline of October 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.
For more information, visit The Ayn Rand Institute.
