LASTEST UPDATE ▪️ COMPETITION INFORMATION
2025 Competition Deadline Announced!
Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contest
The Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests are created by the Ayn Rand organization, in memory of this great novelist. The contest motivates students to engage deeply with Rand’s ideas by reflecting on her novels’ profound and influential themes. Students who participate in the contest must read their chosen book meticulously, tackle its intricate concepts, and extend the limits of their writing abilities. The aim is to foster in students a profound admiration for Rand’s literary works and pique their curiosity in the underlying philosophy.
Interested in the competition?
Competition Overview
Students from grade 8 to 12 from around the world
Eligibility
Free
Entry Fee
The Fountainhead: October 31, 2025
Atlas Shrugged: October 31, 2025
Submission Deadline
January 26, 2026
Winners Announcement
📌 Note: Aralia is not the organizer of this competition. For official rules, deadlines, and updates, please refer directly to the competition organizer. Aralia provides listings and information about competitions for student reference. Aralia is an online education platform offering competition preparation classes to students worldwide.
Competition Details
1. Competition Process
First, students will select a book based on their level of education and begin reading (The Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged). After registration, students respond to the assigned prompts on the dashboard.
2. Competition Structure
- Seasonal Rounds: Every three months, new prompts are released. Students may enter any or all rounds.
- Seasonal Winners: Top three essays each season receive a cash prize; first-place essays advance to the annual grand prize.
- Annual Grand Prize: First-place essays from each season compete for the overall annual first-place title.
3. Eligibility
- The Fountainhead: For students in grades 8-12.
- Atlas Shrugged: For students in grades 9-12.
4. Grading Standards
Essays are judged on four criteria: Clarity, Organization, Understanding, and On Topic. Graders look for writing that is clear, articulate, and logically organized. Essays should stay on topic, address all parts of the selected prompt, and interrelate the ideas and events in the novel.
5. Prizes
9 winners will be selected for each competition. Prize details are below:
- First Place: $3,000 (Seasonal top prize)
- Second Place: $2,000 (Seasonal runner-up prize)
- Third place: $1,000 (Seasonal recognition prize)
