The ultimate civics test: Trump admin unveils nationwide history contest for students
The Department of Education has unveiled the Presidential 1776 Award Contest, allowing history-proficient and civic-minded high school students nationwide to compete for a chance to win scholarships
by Summer Lane | February 13, 2026
A new federally-sponsored academic contest has been launched by President Trump’s Department of Education, aimed at testing high school students’ knowledge of American history and civics – with incredible prizes for winners.
The Presidential 1776 Award Contest is a national civics competition for students in grades 9-12. They will be tested in American history, the Founding Fathers, the Constitutional Convention, and the American Revolutionary War. The grand prize winner will receive a scholarship value of $150,000, second place will receive $75,000, and third place will receive $25,000.
The competition consists of three stages, beginning with an online competition, an in-person regional semi-finals, and a national finals event that will reportedly be held in Washington, D.C.
This incredible contest is part of the Trump administration’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday, coming up on July 4, 2026.
“You have a chance to be a part of this historic celebration,” said Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon. “We are proud to introduce the Presidential 1776 Award, a national civics and American history challenge that dare you to take the Impossible Civics Test… This competition will test your knowledge of the history that has made America the greatest nation on Earth.”
The DOE launched this program with the support of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation and EBSCOed.
“As we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary, the Presidential 1776 Award invites students, educators, parents, and schools to recommit to excellence in the study of American history,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Murray Bessette, DOE, in a statement.
National finalists’ travel will be covered by the competition. According to the website, the live finals will be held at the Kennedy Center, where two top finalists will compete in an oral examination before a national audience.
Registration to join the national contest opened this month. The online assessment opens February 22, 2026.
Photo: Presidential 1776 Award
