2026 Competition Details Released!
For official rules, deadlines, and updates, please refer to the competition organizer. Aralia provides competition information for student reference and is not affiliated with the competition organizer.
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest
The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest (JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest) is an annual writing competition sponsored by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. It is named in honor of President John F. Kennedy and his 1957 Pulitzer Prize-winning book "Profiles in Courage," which profiles eight U.S. senators who demonstrated political courage.
Interested in the competition?
Competition Overview
Eligibility
U.S. high school students in grades 9 through 12 attending public, private, parochial, or home schools
Entry Fee
Free
Submission Deadline
January 12, 2026 11:59pm (EST)
Winners Announcement
April 30, 2026
Competition Details
1. Competition Topic
Describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F. Kennedy was born. Include an analysis of the obstacles, risks, and consequences associated with the act. The essay may concern a local, state, national, or international issue. Students are highly encouraged to profile an official in their town or state or a leader who has addressed an issue of great concern.
Here are the 15 figures that are most written about in the competition: Bella Abzug, Ralph Carr, Shirley Chisholm, Tammy Duckworth, Linwood Holton, Barbara Jordan, Adam Kinzinger, Barbara Lee, Joseph Mancin, Harvey Milk, Patsy Mink, Lisa Murkowski, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Michael Pence, Brad Raffensperger, Jeannette Rankin, Margaret Chase Smith. In addition to the list, students are recommended not to write about presidents, senators, and past recipients of the Profile in Courage Award.
2. Judging Criteria
- Content (55%)
- Demonstrated understanding of political courage
- Originality
- Supporting Evidence
- Source Material
- Presentation (45%)
- Quality of writing
- Organization
- Conventions
More information can be found on the website.
3. Prizes
- First-place: $10,000
- Second-place: $3,000
- 3 Finalists: $1,000 each
- 15 students receive honorable mentions
Past Winning Essays
By Ruby McIntee
By Jeremy Haynes
By Theodora McGee
Submission Requirements
1. Word Count
The maximum word count is 1,000, with a minimum of 700, and does not include citations and bibliography. Students are required to use at least five varied sources, such as government documents, letters, newspaper articles, books, and/or personal interviews.
2. Other rules
The essay must be the student’s original work, with a minimum of five sources. Essays should not include identifying information about the author.
Resources to write a strong essay: Link.
Class Recommendation
Prepare to compete at the highest level