Student Writing Awards
Achievement Awards in Writing
For 10th- and 11th-grade students
This school-based writing program encourages high school students in their writing and publicly recognizes some of the best student writers in the nation.
Deadline February 15, 2025
Students affected by the Los Angeles wildfires are eligible for a deadline extension. Nominating teachers: Please notify NCTE by completing this short form.
Promising Young Writers
For 8th-grade students
This school-based writing program stimulates and recognizes student’s writing talents and emphasizes the importance of writing skills among eighth-grade students.
Deadline February 15, 2025
Students affected by the Los Angeles wildfires are eligible for a deadline extension. Nominating teachers: Please notify NCTE by completing this short form.
National Writing Award: Unity and Justice
Update, January 13, 2025: The 2024 Jefferson Lecture has been postponed due to the Los Angeles wildfires. NCTE will provide updates on the National Writing Award when the lecture is rescheduled. Sign up to receive a reminder when the contest opens.
For 11th- and 12th- grade students
Based on Sam Mihara’s 2024 Jefferson Lecture, “Memories of Injustice”
NCTE, in partnership with the National Humanities Alliance, is proud to once again announce its annual award for student writers and mini-grants for educators tied to the National Endowment for the Humanities’ prestigious Jefferson Lecture. The Jefferson Lecture is the highest honor the federal government bestows for distinguished intellectual achievement in the humanities.
Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines (REALM)
This program for middle schools, high schools and universities/colleges recognizes students, teachers, and schools for producing excellent literary magazines. It provides encouragement for all schools to develop literary magazines with excellence in writing and school-wide participation.
Deadline July 31