Fourth Circuit Civics Contest
Direct application
$1,000
3 winners
Eligibility
Major
Social Sciences
Education level
High school
About this scholarship
High school students in grades 9 through 12 from Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, or West Virginia may enter the Fourth Circuit Civics Contest.
First place receives $1,000, second place $750, and third place $500. Three prizes are awarded.
Create an original graphic poster with a written description on the theme of the Declaration's founding principles and the rule of law. Submit the poster and completed entry form online by the deadline. Prior winners and children or household members of federal judges or judiciary employees are not eligible.
Essay question
What else to submit
- Completed online entry form
- Original graphic poster in PDF, JPEG, or PNG format, maximum 10 MB
- Written description submitted as plain text through the entry form
- AI disclosure statement if AI tools were used
- Eligibility: students in grades 9-12 enrolled in MD, NC, SC, VA, or WV
- Submission is a graphic poster (PDF/JPEG/PNG, max 10 MB) PLUS a written description
- Written statement submitted as plain text through the entry form
- One entry per participant
- Deadline: June 8, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (extended from June 1)
- AI disclosure statement required if AI tools were used
- Prior Fourth Circuit contest winners are ineligible; children/grandchildren/stepchildren/household members of federal judges or judiciary employees are ineligible
- Guiding (optional) questions provided to spark ideas, e.g. 'What does the rule of law mean to you and how does it impact daily life?'
- One entry per participant.
- Poster and written description must address the Declaration's founding principles and the rule of law.