Scholarships are great and all, but students are usually always in some need of extra income so competitions and contests are really helpful and exciting methods to earn more money while improving their practical skills. The two global competitions that stand out are the Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest and The Earth Prize. These contests in particular are major because they are open to a wide range of ages, have no specific qualification requirements, and offer grand prizes worth over $20,000. Best of all, they are fun, fulfilling, and open to anyone with the passion and creativity to compete.
Whether you are someone who is passionate about writing or driven by environmental change, entering both local and international contests can be a strategic move. Moreover, the fact that they are skill based makes them even more appealing because it means that your chances of winning depend on how well you perform, not other factors out of your control.
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
If you’re a book lover and someone with strong opinions, this contest is definitely for you. Based on Ayn Rand’s famous novel by the name “Atlas Shrugged”, this contest challenges participants to respond to thought provoking prompts. Ayn Rand, known for her powerful characters and philosophical depth, portrays human potential in its raw, noble form – capturing the imagination of millions around the world.
The grand prize for the best essay is a generous cash prize of $25,000. However, if you don’t manage to win the top spot, there are still plenty of opportunities to win the following runner-up prizes:
- 1st Place: $3,000 (2 winners)
- 2nd Place: $2,000 (3 winners)
- 3rd Place: $1,000 (3 winners)
How to apply
To enter, visit the official contest site which you can linked below. You will be required to submit an essay in English between 800 to 1,600 words that responds to a prompt based on Atlas Shrugged. New prompts are released every three months, and it is not against the rules to enter any or all of the rounds. Your ability to argue and defend your view, whether the Ayn Rand Institute agrees with it or not is what matters most to the judges. Furthermore, key points that are also equally important in your essay should include:
- Clarity of thought
- A solid understanding of the topic
- Staying on topic
- Logical organisation
Quick tip: As an excellent way to study what works, you can also view winning essays from past years all on their website.
While you are on the website, you will also notice that the Ayn Rand Institute offers two other essay competitions in addition to the Atlas Shrugged contest. These are based on her earlier novels Anthem and The Fountainhead;
- The Anthem Essay Contest is open to students aged 13 and older. This book is set in a dystopian future where the word “I” has been erased from human language and replaced with “we.” Participants are asked to explore themes such as individualism versus collectivism, the role of independent thought, and the importance of personal identity. The word limit for the essay is usually between 600 and 1,200 words. The grand prize is $2,000, along with other smaller prizes for the runner ups.
- Meanwhile, The Fountainhead Essay Contest is for high school students in grades 11 and 12 who are typically between the ages of 16 and 18. The book tells the story of Howard Roark, an uncompromising young architect who chooses to follow his own artistic vision rather than conform to societal expectations. Essays for this contest are expected to be between 800 and 1,600 words and explore topics such as integrity, the role of creativity in society, and the nature of individualism. The grand prize is $5,000, with $1,000 ~ $500 for runner ups.
If you apply to multiple of these contests, not only will it increase your chances of winning, but it also gives you the chance to interact with a wider range of Ayn Rand’s ideas and writing. Since each novel deals with different philosophical issues, applying to all three contests can help you strengthen your writing skills, expand your critical thinking, and build a better understanding of the type of themes her books cover preparing you for other writing contests and novels.
Deadline
Final submissions typically close around December 27th, with earlier deadlines in June and November. Be sure to check the contest timeline regularly for the best chance to submit your essay.
The Earth Prize
The Atlas Shrugged Essay Writing Contest is great but If you are someone who is a changemaker and has a passion for looking for solutions to combat environmental problems, the Earth Prize competition is your moment to shine. This annual competition is open to young people between ages 13 to 19. It focuses on environmental sustainability and empowers participants to address major global issues like deforestation, plastic pollution, and climate change by developing innovative, impactful solutions. At the end, $100,000 will go to the person or team with the best idea.
How to apply
The application process is divided into four key phases:
Phase one: Registration
Registration runs from September 1st to November 30th. During this phase, you’ll submit your basic personal details. Once registered, you’ll be matched with a mentor who will guide you throughout the process. Mentors are typically university students who are passionate about sustainability and entrepreneurship. They dedicate one hour per week to answer questions and support your project ideas. Mentors also receive certificates as well as cash prizes upon completion of the program.
Phase two: Submission (Deadline: January 31st)
In this phase, you will submit the core components of your project:
- Student verification form
- Problem definition
- Motivation statement
- Fresh idea (Explained below)
- Supporting documents (It is optional)
- Favorite mentor votes (It is optional)
This phase is all about clearly defining the problem you’re solving, your motivation, and how your idea can make a meaningful impact.
Phase three: Scholars Phase (February 14th – March 7th)
In this phase, projects are refined and finalized. You’ll submit:
- Final idea (the final version of your solution)
- Supporting documents (optional)
- A short pitch video explaining your solution
This is a critical phase where the focus is on turning your concept into a polished, presentable idea.
Phase four: Regional Winners and Final Judging (March 7th – April 7th, 2025)
Seven regional winning teams are selected based on the strength of their ideas, feasibility, and potential impact. These teams receive one-on-one mentoring and participate in a live 20-minute Q&A session with judges. The winners are crowned during the Earth Prize Award Ceremony on April 22nd (Earth Day). recognition will also be given to the top mentors and educators.
How the seven regional winners are chosen
The judges evaluate each project based on the innovation of the idea, it’s feasibility, and it’s potential impact on a global scale. Additionally, the presentation of the idea; How well it is communicated in the written submissions and the pitch video is crucial. These regional winners then get the opportunity to engage with some of the brightest minds in environmental sustainability, gaining valuable feedback and guidance from the mentors and judges.
What is the “Fresh idea”?
For the Earth Prize, The key component of your submission is your “fresh idea”. This refers to a new, creative solution to a pressing environmental problem. You need to show how your idea offers a unique, innovative approach that stands out from other solutions to existing problems. Whether it’s a new technology or an outside the box approach, the idea needs to have the potential to make a real difference.
The Judging panel and mentors
The judging panel consists of several highly respected individuals in the field of environmental sustainability. These experts bring experience and insight into the world of sustainable innovation, and they are committed to recognizing the brightest young minds tackling environmental issues. They include:
- Agustín Ocaña Escobar: Founder of the Global Youth Coalition
- Boyan Slat: Founder of the Ocean Cleanup Project
- Louise Mabulo: Founder of the Cacao Project
- Tom Szaky: CEO and Founder of TerraCycle
- Omar Itani: CEO and Co-Founder of Green Charge
Each of these individuals has made significant contributions to the field of environmental sustainability and will bring their personal perspective to the judging process.
In conclusion
So if you are an individual with a passion for writing or a young visionary tackling climate change, both the Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest and The Earth Prize offer more than just cash, they will offer you global exposure, networking opportunities, and a genuine chance to make an impact. Encourage your friends, classmates, and siblings to participate. And most importantly give it a go yourself!
Click on The Inspiring Ayn Rand Essay Contests to apply for the contest.
Click on The Earth Prize to apply for the competition in 2026, since the 2025 deadline has already passed.
