LATEST UPDATE ▪️ COMPETITION INFORMATION
2026 Submission Deadline Released!
David McCullough Essay Prizes
The Gilder Lehrman Institute is currently accepting submissions for the David McCullough Essay Prizes. This prestigious contest aims to recognize exceptional high school student research and interpretive essays. The contest is named in honor of David McCullough, a renowned historian and Pulitzer Prize winner who served as a Life Trustee of the Gilder Lehrman Institute.
Interested in the competition?
Competition Overview
High school students attending schools in their Affiliate School Program
Eligibility
Free
Entry Fee
June 22, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Submission Deadline
February 19, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET.
Online Workshop
📌 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. Category
Students can submit their work in 2 categories:
- Research Essay: Research essay incorporating primary and secondary sources on a topic in American history from 1491 to 2001.
- Interpretive Essay: Interpretive essay focusing on close reading and analysis of one primary source from American history, 1491 to 2001, in the Gilder Lehrman Collection of more than 87,000 historical documents.
2. Eligibility
High school students attending schools in their Affiliate School Program (more than 35,926 Affiliate Schools around the world) are eligible and encouraged to participate.
3. Prizes
- 1st Prize: $5,000 (plus a $500 prize awarded to the school)
- 2nd Prize: $1,500 (plus a $500 prize awarded to the school)
- Five 3rd Prizes: $500 each
4. Online Workshop
To support students, teachers, and parents in their research endeavors, the Institute is hosting a Virtual Research Night designed to enhance high school-level research skills. This event will be led by Professor Kenya Davis-Hayes from California Baptist University, a Scholar Judge for the prize, alongside staff from the Gilder Lehrman Institute. They will provide valuable resources and strategies for effective research and writing.
Date: February 19, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET.
Register: https://www.gilderlehrman.org/virtual-research-night
Submission Details
1. Submission Formatting
Submissions must use 12-point Times New Roman font with one-inch margins on all sides. Essays should not include teacher comments or other annotations. Accepted file formats are PDF, DOC, DOCX, and ODT.
High-quality essays feature a clear introduction, body, and conclusion, along with a well-defined, thoroughly developed thesis supported by strong historical evidence.
2. Word Count
- Research Essay: 1,500-2,500 words (approximately 6 pages).
- Interpretive Essay: 750-1,000 words (approximately 3 pages).
3. Judging Criteria
A panel of Gilder Lehrman teachers will select the finalists, and a jury of distinguished historians will determine the winners. Essays will be assessed based on their historical accuracy, clarity and precision in writing, effective use of evidence, and demonstration of empathy and imagination.
Competition Rubric: Research Essay | Interpretive Essay
4. AI Policy
As of January 2026, the David McCullough Essay Prizes allow limited, transparent use of AI tools, but the competition strongly emphasizes originality and single-authored work. Essays must reflect the student’s own ideas, analysis, and engagement with primary and secondary sources through a traditional scholarly process, including independent research, drafting, and revision. Finalist essays will be reviewed for AI use, and students are encouraged to document their writing process to demonstrate authenticity and academic integrity.
Past Winning Submissions
Prepare to compete at the highest level