This contest is named in memory of David McCullough (1933–2022)—a Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and Gilder Lehrman Life Trustee—and honors his career telling America’s stories and examining its histories.
A panel of Gilder Lehrman master teachers will choose the pool of finalists, from which a jury of eminent historians will choose the winners. Essays will be evaluated for their historical rigor, the clarity and correctness of their style, their use of evidence, and their qualities of empathy and imagination.
Location(s)
- Remote
Schedule
- Academic year
Cost/Compensation
- Free
Eligibility Requirements
- Students must be a high school student attending a school in the Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School Program are eligible and encouraged to participate.
Deadline
- June 27th, 2025
Application or Entry Requirements
Essays can be on any topic related to American history from 1491 to 2001. Essays in the interpretive category must feature a primary source (letter, broadside, art, political cartoon, speech, etc.) from the Gilder Lehrman Collection. Students can pick between the following essay types:
- Interpretive Essay
- Students are invited to submit an interpretive essay focusing on close reading and analysis of one primary source from American history, 1491 to 2001, in the Gilder Lehrman Collection of more than 87,000 historical documents.
- Research Essay
- Students are invited to submit a research essay incorporating primary and secondary sources on a topic in American history from 1491 to 2001.
See the rubrics for each essay type for specific requirements taken into consideration during scoring.
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
- Virtual Research Night: February 6th, 2025
- To assist students, teachers, and parents in their preparation, the Institute will host a Virtual Research Night aimed at supporting high school–level research. This program will be led by Professor Kenya Davis-Hayes from California Baptist University, a Scholar Judge for the prize, alongside staff from the Gilder Lehrman Institute. They will share valuable sources and strategies for effective research and writing.
Have other questions?
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.
