15 Online Writing Competitions for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 17 minutes ago
- 13 min read
If you enjoy writing and want to build a strong academic profile before college, participating in competitions can be a practical next step. Writing competitions let you spend time examining a topic in absolute detail, develop structured written arguments, and refine your critical thinking and communication skills in the process. You can find competitions across creative writing, academic essays, journalism, poetry, and policy writing, depending on your interests. Many of these contests are conducted fully online, which means you can submit your work digitally from anywhere without needing to travel.
Why should I participate in an online writing competition in high school?
Participating in structured writing competitions helps you build a portfolio that demonstrates intellectual curiosity and independent thinking. These contests help you learn how to present ideas clearly and support arguments with evidence. Many competitions involve research, analysis, or creative storytelling, which can help you build discipline, the ability to examine topics critically, and the skills to present original ideas. Additionally, you will often receive feedback from educators, journalists, authors, or researchers. This type of evaluation can help you understand what strong writing actually looks like in academic or professional settings.
We have compiled 15 online writing competitions for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These competitions span academic essay writing (Lumiere Scholars Essay Award, John Locke Global Essay Prize, Horizon Academic Essay Prize), creative writing (Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, Bennington Young Writers Awards, YoungArts), poetry (River of Words, Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest), playwriting (Young Playwrights Festival), and journalism (New York Times Summer Reading Contest), giving students a wide range of formats to choose from.
Most competitions are free to enter, including Lumiere Scholars Essay Award, Horizon Academic Essay Prize, Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest, National WWII Museum Contest, River of Words, Bennington Young Writers Awards, Coolidge Foundation Essay Contest, and Laws of Life Essay Contest, while a few, such as Scholastic Art and Writing Awards ($10 per submission) and YoungArts ($35 entry fee), involve small fees with waivers available.
Cash prizes vary significantly, from smaller awards like the Laws of Life Essay Contest ($100 per winner) and the JASNA Essay Contest ($250 to $1,000) to major prizes such as the Coolidge Foundation Contest ($10,000 for first place), YoungArts ($250 to $10,000), and Scholastic Art and Writing Awards (scholarships up to $12,500).
Several competitions offer publication opportunities, including the Lumiere Scholars Essay Award, Princeton Legal Journal Essay Contest, Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, JASNA Essay Contest, and Coolidge Foundation Contest, giving students a tangible academic or professional credential beyond recognition alone.
A number of competitions invite top winners to attend in-person events, including Scholastic Art and Writing Awards (Carnegie Hall), Coolidge Foundation Contest (Washington, D.C., fully funded), YoungArts (National YoungArts Week in Miami), and Young Playwrights Festival (live performance in Los Angeles).
Location: Online
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter; cash awards up to $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all; global participation
Dates: Submission window: September 15 – June 8; Announcement of results: November
Application deadline: June 8
Eligibility: Students ages 11–18 (Junior category: Ages 11–14 | Senior category: Ages 15–18) from around the world; participation requires an adult sponsor (teacher, parent, or mentor).
The Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest is an international writing and arts competition centered on environmental conservation. The theme changes by year, with a recent theme being “Your Story, Our Ocean: How Our Ocean Sustains, Protects, and Inspires Us.” You will examine the theme and sub-themes and develop a creative writing piece, poetry, or other written entries, and submit them on a fully online platform. Your work will be assessed by at least three judges on the basis of how well you address the annual theme, your originality and artistic voice, your craftsmanship, and adherence to contest rules. Winning entries will receive cash awards, global recognition, and opportunities for publication, exhibitions, and feature campaigns.
Location: Online
Cost and Prizes: Free; prizes of up to $1,000 in cash + $3,190 scholarship to Lumiere Research Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all eligible students
Dates: Submission window: March 9 – April 26; Announcement of shortlist: May 11; Announcement of results: May 17
Application deadline: April 26
Eligibility: High school students worldwide
Lumiere’s Scholars Essay Award is a virtual competition that focuses on analytical essay writing across STEM, humanities, and social sciences, allowing you to respond to a question centered on a contemporary issue. You will choose a question, examine and research the core issue, develop a strong argument, and write and submit an essay under 2,000 words. Your work will be evaluated by a panel of professors and academic researchers on the basis of originality, structure, use of evidence, overall analysis, and presentation. If your entry is among the top submissions, you stand a chance to win cash prizes and scholarships to Lumiere’s programs.
Location: Online + final ceremony for national medalists at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
Cost/Prizes: Entry fee: $10/submission ($30 per portfolio) with fee waivers available; winners get their work published on the competition website, and national winners get scholarships of up to $12,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all eligible students; 100,000+ annual participants
Dates: Fall entry cycle; Deadlines: December – January (varies by region); Regional results: January; National results: March; National ceremony: June
Application deadline: Varies by region (as early as December 1)
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12, ages 13 and up, residing in the U.S., U.S. territories, or Canada
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is among the few long-running creative contests for middle and high school students. You can submit original work across categories like short stories, poetry, journalism, and essays, across themes of your choice. You will submit your work online and be judged at the regional level first, with top works advancing to the national level for medals, scholarships, and publication opportunities. Gold Medal winners are invited to a national ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Winning entries will also be published and exhibited. You also add your work to your portfolio.
Location: Online
Cost/Prizes: Free; cash prizes up to $1,000 + scholarships of up to $6,450
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all
Dates: Submission deadline: February 1; Notification of shortlist: February 22; Announcement of results: March 8
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students worldwide
Horizon’s Academic Essay Prize is a free competition that allows you to write structured essays while exploring academic topics with a focus on critical thinking. In your essay, you will examine real-world issues such as global inequity, bioethics, mental health stigma, social movements, and technology. The experience can help you build research skills, explore relevant, pressing topics worldwide, and learn to communicate your ideas. Entries will be judged by a panel of academics from leading universities based on originality, clarity of argument, presentation of ideas, use of evidence, and analytical depth. Winners will receive scholarships and cash prizes.
Location: Online + optional final academic conference and awards dinner in London, UK (travel not funded)
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter (late submission fee: £25 – £75); prizes include $1,000 – $10,000 scholarships toward John Locke Institute programs.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all eligible students; tens of thousands of global applicants
Dates: Entry submission window: April 1 – May 31; late submission dates: June 7 and June 21; Notification of shortlisted essays: July 7
Application deadline: March 31 | Late registration deadline: April 30 (late fees of $10 applicable); registration opens on February 2/
Eligibility: Students around the world who are under 19 years old by May 31 (Junior category: students under 15 | Senior category: students who are 15 – 18 years old)
The John Locke Essay Competition is a global essay contest that invites students worldwide to write a 2,000-word essay on a question in one of 10 subject areas, including philosophy, politics, economics, history, international relations, law, psychology, public policy, and science and technology. Entries will be evaluated by academics from leading universities like Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an academic conference and awards dinner in London, but you can still win without attending. Top winners receive scholarships of up to $10,000 and global recognition.
Location: Online
Cost/Prizes: Free; cash prizes up to $750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all; ~300+ submissions annually
Dates: Submission window: October 26 – January 22
Application deadline: January 22
Eligibility: U.S. students in grades 7 – 12 (including homeschool and overseas U.S. citizens)
The National WWII Museum Student Writing Contest challenges you to write a research-based essay on a WWII-related theme inspired by museum exhibits and historical topics. You will submit a 500–750-word essay with at least five credible sources, including proper citations and a bibliography. Entries will undergo multiple rounds of blind judging by teachers, curators, and museum educators, ensuring a rigorous evaluation process. Winners will receive cash prizes and national recognition, with top essays often highlighted by the museum. The experience can help you build skills in historical research, analytical writing, and evidence-based argumentation.
Location: Online; winners invited to Annual General Meeting in the U.S. (accommodation funded, but no funding for travel)
Cost/Prizes: Free; prizes include $250 – $1,000 scholarships + publication of essays on JASNA website + free access to select JASNA events
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all; international participation
Dates: Submission window: February – June 1; Announcement of winners: August
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: High school (full- or part-time) and home-schooled students, college students, and graduates around the world
The JASNA Essay Contest invites you to analyze the works of Jane Austen through a structured, analytical essay. The theme changes every year, with a recent theme being “Men and Boys in Jane Austen’s Novels.” You will write an original literary analysis essay based on Austen’s texts, focusing on certain characters and supporting your arguments with textual evidence. The contest emphasizes your personal interpretation rather than a research-heavy academic paper, although you can also apply contextual understanding of the Regency era. Winning essays will receive scholarships, publication on the official website, and an invitation to JASNA’s Annual General Meeting.
Location: Online
Cost/Prizes: Free; winners secure publication on The New York Times Learning Network
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all students; weekly winners selected globally
Dates: June 6 – August 15
Application deadline: August 15
Eligibility: Middle school students, high school students, and recent high school graduates, ages 13 – 19, worldwide
The New York Times Summer Reading Contest invites you to respond to any article, video, podcast, or graphic published in The New York Times and explain why it caught your attention. You can submit either a short written response (up to 1,500 characters, ~250 words) or a video response under 90 seconds. You can submit your responses weekly over a 10-week period and participate multiple times during the summer, but only once per week. Winners will be selected each week by New York Times journalists, educators, and editors, and their work will be published on the official platform.
Location: Online (poetry submissions); art entries require physical mailing (USA)
Cost/Prizes: Free; winners get recognition with their entries published
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all eligible participants
Dates: October 15 – January 31
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Students (Pre-K to Grade 12), ages 5 – 19, worldwide
The River of Words Competition is an international youth contest focused on environmental poetry and creative expression. You will submit original poems (up to 32 lines or 3 minutes for spoken formats) that explore themes like nature, watersheds, and environmental awareness. You can focus on your immediate environment and your observations of a phenomenon while focusing on a natural aspect, ecosystem, formation, or organism of your choice. You can also submit artwork. Winners are selected across multiple age categories, with the top entries being published in the official River of Words anthology and recognized globally.
Location: Online submission; final entries performed in Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Prizes: Free; winners’ plays are performed live.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all eligible students; a few winning scripts are selected annually
Dates: Submission window: January 5 – March 15; Performance of winning plays: July
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Students who are 19 or younger, residing or attending schools in the U.S.
The Young Playwrights Festival invites you to submit original plays or musicals, with a chance to get your work developed and performed by professional theater artists. You can submit up to three scripts of any length, genre, or subject, as long as they are entirely your own work. Winning playwrights will be selected through a competitive process and will be paired with industry professionals who will mentor, direct, and stage their work in a live festival performance. The program emphasizes creative storytelling, dialogue writing, and theatrical structure, making it suitable for those interested in dramatic writing.
Location: Online
Cost/Prizes: $15 fee (waivers available); top three essays are published in the Princeton Legal Journal.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all eligible students
Dates: Submission deadline: May 15; Announcement of winners: Late May
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students
This online writing competition lets you submit an essay on a legal theme and get a chance to publish your work in the Princeton Legal Journal, a student-run publication at Princeton University. The theme changes every year; past topics have included free speech, religious liberty in law, presidential power and the Constitution, and tech regulation. You will write and submit an original essay offering a structured response to the given prompt. If your essay is one of the top entries, it will be featured in the Princeton Legal Journal. The competition also recognizes other successful entries as honorable mentions.
Location: Online
Cost/Prizes: Free; cash prizes up to $2,000 + undergraduate scholarships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive (global submissions)
Dates: September 1 – November 1
Application deadline: November 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12 worldwide
The Bennington Young Writers Awards invite students to submit original work in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. You can submit a short story, essay, or up to three poems (maximum 1,500 words total) in a single category and get your work approved by a sponsoring teacher or mentor before submission. Winners will be selected across categories, with cash prizes up to $2,000 and additional recognition for distinguished writers. Finalists and winners are also eligible for college scholarships at Bennington College, including full- and half-tuition awards if admitted.
Location: Online + fully funded finalist event in Coolidge House, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Prizes: Free; cash prizes up to $10,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2,000+ applicants and ~20 finalists
Dates: Submission deadline: September 10; Final event: November 7 – 8 (tentative)
Application deadline: September 10 (tentative)
Eligibility: U.S. high school students and college students
The Coolidge Foundation Essay Contest challenges you to write on economic and public policy topics, such as protectionism and national security. You will submit an original essay (up to 1,100 words for high school students) supported by clear arguments and evidence. Entries will be evaluated through multiple rounds based on the quality of analysis and argument, clarity of writing, strength of evidence, and syntax and grammar. Finalists will also be invited to a special event in Washington, D.C., with travel and accommodation covered, where final placements will be determined. Top entries will receive major cash prizes, including $10,000 for first place, and their essays may be published in the Coolidge Review.
Location: Online; event for winners with distinction at YoungArts, Miami, FL
Cost/Prizes: $35 entry fee; cash prizes between $250 and $10,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all eligible students
Dates: Submission Window: July 22 – October 8; Announcement of results: End of November; National YoungArts Week: January 4 – 11
Application Deadline: October 8
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 – 12 who are 15 to 18 years old by December 1 and are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or students legally able to receive taxable income in the U.S.
The YoungArts Writing Competition is a national program that recognizes outstanding creative writing across categories such as fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, and spoken word. You will submit original work in one writing category through an online application. Your work will be evaluated by professional artists and educators. Top winners (“Winners with Distinction”) are invited to National YoungArts Week in Miami, where you will participate in workshops, masterclasses, and public performances. All winners will receive cash awards, medallions, and access to an exclusive alumni network (YoungArts Post).
Location: Online Submission
Cost/Prizes: Free; $100 cash prize for each winner
Acceptance size/cohort size: Open to eligible students around the world
Dates: Submission deadline: May 15; winners announced in the months following the submission (dates not specified)
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 4 – 12 worldwide
The Laws of Life Essay international contest invites students to reflect on their personal character by writing about a core value that holds significant meaning in their lives. You will submit an essay of 250 to 500 words that focuses on a specific value, such as integrity or compassion, that is essential to your personal development. The experience can help you explore your and others’ perspectives on morality, ethics, and character across cultural backgrounds. Your entry will be assessed by a panel of volunteer judges dedicated to ethical inquiry. Winning entries will be published and recognized as “Most Compelling” or “Exemplary” on the Character.org website.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best online writing competitions for high school students?
Strong options depend on a student's writing style and interests. Students who enjoy analytical and research-based essays might consider the Lumiere Scholars Essay Award or John Locke Global Essay Prize; those interested in creative writing might look at the Bennington Young Writers Awards or YoungArts; and those drawn to journalism or commentary might consider the New York Times Summer Reading Contest or Coolidge Foundation Essay Contest.
Are there free online writing competitions for high school students?
Yes, most competitions on this list are free, including the Lumiere Scholars Essay Award, Horizon Academic Essay Prize, John Locke Global Essay Prize, Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest, National WWII Museum Contest, River of Words, JASNA Essay Contest, Bennington Young Writers Awards, Coolidge Foundation Contest, and Laws of Life Essay Contest.
Which competitions are open to international students?
The Lumiere Scholars Essay Award, Horizon Academic Essay Prize, John Locke Global Essay Prize, Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest, JASNA Essay Contest, River of Words, New York Times Summer Reading Contest, and Laws of Life Essay Contest all welcome international participants. Competitions such as the Coolidge Foundation Contest, National WWII Museum Contest, and YoungArts are restricted to U.S. students or residents.
Do any writing competitions lead to publication?
Yes, the Princeton Legal Journal Essay Contest publishes top essays in a Princeton University student journal; the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards publish and exhibit winning work; the JASNA Essay Contest publishes winners on its official website; and the Coolidge Foundation Contest may feature top essays in the Coolidge Review.
Which competitions focus on creative writing rather than analytical essays?
Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, Bennington Young Writers Awards, YoungArts, River of Words, Young Playwrights Festival, and Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest all center on creative writing, fiction, poetry, or playwriting, while competitions like Lumiere Scholars Essay Award, Horizon Academic Essay Prize, and John Locke Global Essay Prize emphasize structured academic argumentation and evidence-based analysis.
When should I apply to online writing competitions for high school students?
Deadlines are spread throughout the year. Early deadlines include the Coolidge Foundation Essay Contest (September 10) and Bennington Young Writers Awards (November 1), while others, such as the Lumiere Scholars Essay Award (April 26), Young Playwrights Festival (March 15), and Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest (June 8), fall later in the school year.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.