The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History’s David McCullough Essay Prizes recognize outstanding high school student research essays with cash prizes of up to $10,000. This contest is named for David McCullough, the Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and life member of the Gilder Lehrman Institute Board of Trustees, and honors his career telling America’s stories and examining its histories. Essays will be evaluated by a committee of historians for their historical rigor, the clarity and correctness of their style, their use of evidence, and their qualities of empathy and imagination.
Essays are eligible for the following prizes:
- 1st Prize: $10,000 (plus a $500 prize awarded to the school)
- 2nd Prize: $5,000 (plus a $500 prize awarded to the school)
- Nine 3rd Prizes: $1,000 each
Location(s)
- Remote
Schedule
- Academic year
Cost/Compensation
- Free
Eligibility Requirements
- High school students in 10th, 11th, or 12th grades.
- Students should be participants in Gilder Lehrman’s National Academy of American History, members of the institute’s Student Advisory Council, or awardees of the Richard Gilder History Prize by their school.
Deadline
- June 30
Application or Entry Requirements
- Write an essay on any topic related to American history from the late 1400s to 2000 that meets the following guidelines:
- Word Count: The essay should be approximately 1,500–2,500 words. (This word count does not include footnotes, endnotes, or citations.) Essays will be judged on the quality of argument and depth of research, so a longer essay is not necessarily a better one!
- Font and Page Style: Papers should be submitted in 12-point, Times New Roman font with one-inch margins at the top, bottom, and sides. Essays should be free of teacher commentary or other notes.
- Primary Sources: Essays must focus on a primary source document in American history from 1493 to 2000, with a copy of that document attached as an appendix. Top essays will focus on this and other primary source documents (letters, photographs, broadsides, etc.) as the basis for affirming their theses.
- Secondary Sources: Top essays will use scholarly secondary sources beyond the textbook. Textbooks can be referenced only for general background information.
- Organization: Top essays have an introduction, body, and conclusion and a clearly stated, well-developed thesis statement with supportive historical evidence.
- Citations: The best essays have clear, complete, and consistent citations. Students must document their sources and evidence using one of the following three formats: MLA, APA, or Chicago Manual of Style.
- Bibliography: Each essay must include a bibliography listing all sources, dividing the bibliography between primary and secondary sources.
Notifications of Decisions
- Winners will be announced and notified no later than September 15.
Financial Aid Details
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The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, founded in 1994 by Richard Gilder and Lewis E. Lehrman, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the study and appreciation of American history. Offering extensive educational programs, digital archives, and prestigious awards, the institute actively preserves and exhibits historical documents while collaborating with various institutions to expand its reach. In 2006, the institute made headlines when it acquired a rare, signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, underscoring its role as a pivotal force in American historical preservation and understanding.
