First Amendment Scholars – Law Student Essay Competition

Please see the below announcement from FFRF:

The deadline for FFRF’s Law Student Essay Competition is only 16 days away! FFRF is offering over $9,000 in prizes for the top three essays submitted on the topic, and $500 honorable mentions at judges’ discretion. There is also a publication opportunity for the winners.

Please consider sharing this essay with your students. You can contact us at lawstudentessay@ffrf.org if you have any questions or concerns regarding this essay contest.

ESSAY TOPIC: Analyze how the principle of “parental rights” has changed.

PRIZE INFORMATION: 1st Place $4,000, 2nd Place $3,000, and 3rd Place $2,000

WORD LIMIT: 1,500 words

DEADLINE: January 30, 2026

ELIGIBILITY: The contest is open to all ongoing law school students attending a North American law school. You remain eligible to enter this contest if you will graduate from law school by spring or summer of 2026. You are not eligible to enter if you will be starting law school for the first time in the fall of 2026. You may not re-enter if FFRF has already awarded you for a law student essay.

Additional information, including the full essay question, contest rules, and application can be found at: ffrf.org/studentessay