The Ayn Rand Institute
Entries open for Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
The contest is free to enter and is open to students from 9th grade through graduate school, providing an opportunity to compete for a total prize pool of $40,000 and gain recognition for exceptional writing. Participants can win up to $25,000 through a structure that includes seasonal rounds and an annual grand prize, with nine winners selected overall and a first-place seasonal prize of $3,000.
In addition to cash prizes, the contest offers benefits such as strengthening college applications and providing professional recognition from a globally respected institution, making it a valuable opportunity for academically driven writers.
Each season runs for three months and features unique essay prompts, allowing students to participate in one or multiple rounds. The top three essays in each season receive cash awards, and the first-place essay advances to compete for the annual grand prize of $22,000.
Essays are evaluated on how effectively students justify and argue their viewpoints rather than whether the Institute agrees with the positions expressed. Their judges assess whether the writing is clear, logically organized, and focused on the prompt, while also demonstrating a strong grasp of the philosophic meaning of Atlas Shrugged and the interrelation of ideas and events in the novel.
To enter, students must register for the contest to access the book and essay prompts, read Atlas Shrugged carefully, and submit an original, unpublished essay written in English within the stated word limits and including page citations for quoted material.
Only one submission per student is permitted per entry round, and all work must be entirely the student’s own. The next seasonal deadline for submission is January 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM PT.
For more information, visit The Ayn Rand Institute.