December 31, 2026
George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest
Direct application
$6,000
5 winners
Eligibility
Major
History
Education level
High school
About this scholarship
U.S. high school students in grades 9 through 12 at a public, private, parochial, or home school may enter the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution George S. and Stella M. Knight Essay Contest through a local SAR chapter.
National prizes include a $6,000 first-place award, plus additional prizes at lower tiers for five total national winners. Chapter and state deadlines vary, typically around December 31.
Entrants submit an original 800- to 1,200-word essay on an event, person, philosophy, or ideal linked to the American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, or U.S. Constitution. Essays advance from local chapters through state to national competition.
Essay question
What else to submit
- Original 800- to 1,200-word essay
- Title page
- Footnotes and bibliography
- Biography page
- Open to high school students in grades 9-12 attending home, public, parochial, or private high schools
- Must be a US citizen or legal resident
- Essay must be 800-1,200 words (minimum 800, maximum 1,200), excluding title page, footnotes, bibliography page, and biography page
- Essay must be based on original research
- Judged on historical accuracy, clarity, organization, grammar and spelling, and documentation
- Only one entry per student per contest year
- Must be entered through a local SAR chapter near the student's residence (or at state level if no local chapter)
- Essay must concern an event, person, philosophy, or ideal associated with the American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, or framing of the U.S. Constitution.
- Essay must be based on original research.
- Only one entry is permitted per student per contest year.
- Entry must be submitted through a local SAR chapter, or at the state level where no local chapter exists.
- Students may attend a public, private, parochial, or home school.