School leaders, please let your students know about the National Civics Bee. The run-up to the 2026 Bee just launched last month with an essay competition. In order to be eligible for regional bees–and potentially state and national bees–students must write and submit an essay by February 3, 2026. The essay prompt this year asks students four questions about how to improve their communities in ways that reflect principles central to the nation’s founding.
The bee is open to middle school students in grades 6, 7, and 8–from public charter, district, private, and homeschooling environments.
The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which runs the Bee, describes it this way:
The National Civics Bee is an annual competition that inspires young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. As they compete for a spot in the National Championship, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders from across the country showcase their civics knowledge and skills, winning prizes and recognition along the way.
Finalists from the essay competition will be invited to compete at a regional bee. Regional and state bees take place between March and July 2026. State bee winners travel to Washington, DC, for the National Civics Bee in Fall 2026.
Top finalists win large cash awards, as the screenshot below indicates:
Source: National Civics Bee website.
View the essay application guide. Learn more about the National Civics Bee.
Above photo: Shutterstock.
