By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
As the yearlong semiquincentennial celebration of America approaches at the beginning of 2026, the U.S. Department of Education unveiled the Presidential 1776 award, a national scholarship contest testing students’ knowledge of “civics and the principles that shaped the United States.”
The contest will feature three rounds of multiple-choice and verbal exams intended to gauge participants’ knowledge of civics and the founding of the United States. The exams were developed by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation, a congressionally established group named after James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, who is viewed as the “Father of the Constitution.”
“What better way to get our students excited about learning more of our nation’s deep and rich history than a friendly competition meant to challenge high schoolers to show off their knowledge of our great nation’s founding ideals?” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
McMahon added,” As we prepare to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, this competition is an opportunity for young people to push themselves, learn our history, and take pride in the principles that unite us. I am grateful to the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation and all of the educators, partners, and families who are helping to make this effort possible.”
The contest features three rounds of tests, beginning on Feb. 22 and ending on Feb. 28, as Students participate in a proctored, online examination featuring three difficulty levels and up to 4,000 randomized questions on civics and founding principles. This test will determine four finalists from each state to advance to the second round.
The second round takes place in May 2026 and features the finalists divided into five regional semifinals, where contestants will compete in short-answer, verbal questions. Four finalists from each region will advance.
The final round will be held in Washington, D.C., in June 2026. Students in the final round will answer short-answer questions, with a point awarded for each correct answer. The top finisher will receive a $150,000 scholarship, with second- and third-place finishers also receiving scholarships.
The competition is open to U.S. citizens, nationals and permanent residents in grades nine through 12. Registration is open online at presidential1776award.org.
“Our James Madison Fellows are among the best teacher-scholars on the U.S. Constitution and the American Founding and they will write challenging but fair questions for the intrepid students who take part in the award,” said Executive Secretary and CEO of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation Julie E. Adams. “The knowledge of American civics and history is vital to the survival of the Republic.”