Name: The Atlas Shrugged Essay Scholarship Contest
Award Amount: $10,000
Information And Eligibility:
The Atlas Shrugged Essay Scholarship Contest is one of the most well-known and intellectually demanding essay competitions available to high school seniors, college undergraduates, and graduate students. Sponsored by the Ayn Rand Institute, this scholarship provides students the opportunity to engage deeply with the themes, characters, and philosophical ideas presented in Ayn Rand’s influential novel *Atlas Shrugged*. Each year, the contest awards over $30,000 in scholarship prizes, including a top award of $10,000 for the first-place essay.
Participants must read *Atlas Shrugged* and choose one of the three official essay prompts provided for the contest cycle. These prompts challenge applicants to analyze key elements of the novel, including moral conflicts, character motivations, philosophical principles, and the broader implications of Rand’s ideas. Essays must be between 800 and 1,600 words and should present thoughtful, original analysis supported by well-organized arguments. Judges evaluate submissions based on clarity, logical structure, originality, and the writer’s ability to demonstrate a strong understanding of the book’s central themes.
The contest is open to:
This makes the Atlas Shrugged Essay Scholarship one of the few major essay competitions that spans multiple academic levels. Applicants from around the world are welcome, provided the essay is written in English.
The competition awards a wide range of scholarships, making it accessible and rewarding for many students—not just the top winner. Prize categories include:
Essays must be the applicant’s original work, unpublished, and focused on one of the official prompts. Students may submit only one entry per year. Works are judged by experts familiar with Rand’s writing and philosophy; however, winning essays do not require applicants to agree with Ayn Rand’s viewpoints—only to demonstrate a clear understanding of the concepts discussed in the novel.
This scholarship is an excellent opportunity for strong writers, analytical thinkers, and students interested in literature, philosophy, political theory, or critical writing. Because the contest rewards depth of thought rather than financial need or GPA, it is accessible to motivated students from all academic backgrounds.
Eligibility Requirements:
Application Requirements:
Deadline: Varies by year (typically in the spring or early summer)
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Request to Update or Remove This Scholarship. The CollegeWhale ID number for this Scholarship is #12704. This Scholarship was added in May 2011 and last reviewed by a member of our staff on December, 2025.
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