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The Morris J. and Betty Kaplun Foundation Essay Contest


Name: The Morris J. and Betty Kaplun Foundation Essay Contest

Award Amount: Varies

  • Multiple cash scholarship awards each year
  • Top prizes commonly range from several hundred dollars to higher-value awards depending on the contest cycle

Information And Eligibility:
The Morris J. and Betty Kaplun Foundation Essay Contest is an annual scholarship competition designed to encourage young people to think deeply about Jewish values, ethics, responsibility, and personal growth. The Kaplun Foundation was established to promote educational opportunities, moral leadership, and community-minded thinking among youth. Each year, the foundation releases new essay topics centered around themes such as character, moral courage, ethical dilemmas, and Jewish heritage.

The contest is divided into two groups by grade level, ensuring that younger and older students compete within appropriate categories. Essays are judged on clarity of thought, originality, relevance to the annual topic, depth of insight, and the ability to articulate meaningful personal reflections. Writing skill, structure, and adherence to contest guidelines also play a role in the evaluation process.

The Kaplun Foundation’s mission is to inspire students to explore ethical perspectives and apply them to real-world life experiences. Winning essays reflect thoughtful reasoning, personal engagement with the theme, and an understanding of the values central to the foundation’s purpose.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Open to students in the United States and abroad (international entries accepted)
  • Two divisions:
    • Division I: Grades 7–9
    • Division II: Grades 10–12
  • Essay must address the specific annual contest topic
  • Essay must be original, unpublished, and written by the student
  • Submission must adhere to word length and formatting guidelines outlined by the foundation

Application Requirements:

  • Submit an original essay responding to the assigned annual topic
  • Include student’s full name, grade level, school information, and contact details as required
  • Follow all formatting and submission guidelines (online or by mail depending on the year)
  • Essays must be submitted by the posted deadline for consideration

Selection Criteria:

  • Depth of insight and relevance to the annual essay theme
  • Originality and personal reflection
  • Quality of writing, organization, and clarity
  • Adherence to contest rules and guidelines

Additional Details:

  • Winners are announced publicly and may have their essays published by the foundation
  • Past essay topics have focused on ethics, Jewish identity, moral responsibility, and personal character
  • No application fee is required
  • Scholarship funds may be used for educational purposes and are awarded directly to the winners

Deadline: Varies — check the Kaplun Foundation website for current contest dates.

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Request to Update or Remove This Scholarship. The CollegeWhale ID number for this Scholarship is #17361. This Scholarship was added in December 2025 and last reviewed by a member of our staff on December, 2025.

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