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The Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests


Name: The Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests (Anthem, The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged)

Award Amount: $50 – $25,000 depending on contest and placement

Information and Eligibility:
The Ayn Rand Institute (ARI) sponsors three major annual essay contests based on Ayn Rand’s classic novels: Anthem, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. These contests are designed to engage students with Rand’s themes of individualism, independence, personal responsibility and philosophical inquiry. Each contest features multiple prize levels, with substantial awards offered to top entries. Some competitions award up to $25,000 to the first-place winner.

Each contest is targeted toward a specific academic level. The Anthem Essay Contest is open to middle and high school students, The Fountainhead Contest is open to high school students, and the Atlas Shrugged Contest is designed for college and graduate students as well as adult learners. Students from around the world may submit essays, making the contests accessible regardless of geographic location.

Eligibility criteria vary by contest but typically include:

  • Grade/Level:
    • Anthem: Open to middle and high school students.
    • The Fountainhead: Open to high school students worldwide.
    • Atlas Shrugged: Open to college students, graduate students and adult learners.
  • Essay Requirement: Must submit an original essay responding to one of ARI’s official prompts for the selected novel.
  • International Eligibility: Contests are open globally unless restricted by law.

Application Requirements:

  • Submit an essay responding to one of the assigned prompts for the chosen contest.
  • Complete the online submission form for the appropriate novel/contest.
  • Essays must meet the word count and formatting requirements listed on the ARI website.

Selection Criteria:

  • Demonstrated understanding of the themes in the chosen Ayn Rand novel.
  • Clarity, originality and depth of thought.
  • Quality of writing, including structure, reasoning and style.
  • Adherence to prompt guidelines and contest requirements.

Additional Details:

  • Each contest features multiple winners receiving tiered cash prizes.
  • Open internationally, allowing broad participation.
  • Essays are judged by a panel selected by the Ayn Rand Institute.
  • Awards may be used for educational or personal development expenses.

Deadline:

  • April

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