All funding
PrizeWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to a teacherOpen
Bill of Rights Institute and iCivics
Civic Star Challenge
Teachers write a short description of a recent lesson on civic action, media literacy, or debate and dialogue and what students learned. A $5,000 winner is picked in each grade band each period.
- Amount
- Nine $5,000 winners plus four $1,250 honorable mentions ($50,000 total)
- Can a for-profit school apply?
- Unclear: ask the funder
- Deadline
- Dec 15, 2026 (65 days left)
- Who this fits
- Microschool · Private school · Homeschool co‑opPublic, private, charter and homeschool settings are all named.Religious schools: not stated, ask the funder
- New schools
- Not stated for new schools
- Where
- National: schools in any US state
- Last checked
- Oct 10, 2026on billofrightsinstitute.org
Unconfirmed: check with the funder
We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.
- Whether the prize is paid to the teacher personally or the school (page says educators win cash)
How to apply
- Step 1: Choose a recent lesson tied to civic action, media literacy, or debate and dialogue
- Step 2: Write the short narrative
- Step 3: Enter on the contest page before the period ends
- Step 4: Enter again in the next period
Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.
Who can apply
“K–12 teachers across public, private, charter, and homeschool settings, in any subject area.”
- K-12 teacher in any subject
- Brief narrative of a recent or upcoming lesson and student outcomes
- No student names, images or work samples
Timing
Three contest periods: August 15 to September 30, October 1 to 31, November 1 to December 15, 2026. You may enter once per period. Tied to the 250th anniversary year, so it may not repeat.