Essay Contest

Each year, the Buckley Institute sponsors two essay contests: one for Yale undergraduates and one for American high school students. The winners receive monetary awards and an invitation to our annual conference. The 2025 National Essay Contest is now open!

Details

Since 2013, the Buckley Institute has held an annual essay contest inviting Yale undergraduates and high school students from across the country to comment on a question of major political significance. The top three essayists in both the high school and Yale undergraduate contests are awarded $1,000, $500, or $250, and are invited to receive their award at the Buckley Institute’s annual conference.

Past Topics

  • Milton Friedman’s Capitalism and Freedom
  • James Burnham’s Suicide of the West
  • What is the Greatest Threat to Free Speech?

Current Essay Contest

The 2025 National Essay Contest for U.S. undergraduates at any accredited American college or university. This year’s contest honors the legacy of William F. Buckley, Jr. in light of his 100th birthday and asks about modern social distrust and elitism in American society.

The first place winner will receive $3,000, second will receive $1,000, and third will receive $500. All winning writers will be invited to the Buckley Institute’s Annual Conference in the fall.

The deadline for submission is 11:59pm PST on April 15, 2025.