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    Free Speech Essay Contest

    Offered by Foundation for Individual Rights in Education

    Lisa Freedland Reviewed by Lisa FreedlandLast updated Jul 18, 2024
    7 awards worth up to

    $10,000

    Grade level

    High School Juniors & Seniors

    Expired deadline:

    December 31, 2021

    Scholarship Overview

    Are you attending a U.S. high school or are a U.S. citizen attending high school elsewhere? Further, are you a junior or senior who’s passionate about free speech? If so, consider applying for the Free Speech Essay Contest! Each year, the contest awards between $500 and $10,000 to nine applicants who submit the best 700 – 900 word essays on the year’s prompt, which almost always revolve around the importance of free speech. The contest is run by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, an organization with a mission to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought.

    If you value free speech and want to express that right through writing, we encourage you to apply for the Free Speech Essay Contest!

    Editor’s Note: As of 2022, the Free Speech Essay Contest appears to be no longer available. If this is incorrect, please reach out to us at [email protected] and we will update this page accordingly.

    Eligibility information

    This scholarship is open to high school juniors and seniors attending a high school in the U.S. (or abroad if you’re a U.S. citizen). Applicants must also meet the below eligibility requirements.

    Grade Level

    High School Juniors & Seniors

    Citizenship

    U.S. Citizens, Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents, DACA, Other

    Academic Interest

    Law

    Application information

    To apply for this scholarship, students must submit an online application in addition to the below application materials.

    900-word essay

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    Scholarship FAQ

    Is this scholarship open to international students?

    Yes, this scholarship is open to U.S. Citizens, Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents, DACA students and international students.

    Who should I contact with any questions about this scholarship?

    For any questions regarding this scholarship application, please contact Foundation for Individual Rights in Education at [email protected].

    Is this scholarship renewable?

    No, the Free Speech Essay Contest is not renewable.

    Where can I find help writing my scholarship essay?

    For help writing the essay component of this scholarship application, check out our guides How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay and How to Start a Scholarship Essay (With Examples).

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