Contests & scholarships available through the NRA

Here are some of the NRA's contests and scholarships for young people:

Civil Rights Defense Fund Essay Contests

Youth Essay Contest – The NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund (NRACRDF) sponsors an essay contest celebrating the Second Amendment as an integral part of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The theme for the essay is “The Second Amendment to the Constitution: Why it is important to our nation.” Open to all elementary, junior high, high school, and home schooled students in an equivalent grade.

Law Student Essay Contest – Writing contest for law students; the subject of the contest is "The Right of the Individual to Keep and Bear Arms as a Federally Protected Right." Scholarship prizes will be awarded to First, Second, Third and Fourth place winners in the amounts of $5,000, $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 respectively.

Third Year Law Student Scholarship Writing Contest – Scholarships awarded to third-year law students who submit articles on the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. The prizes are as follows: First place: $12,500 toward tuition; Second place: $5,000; Third Place: $2,500.

Outstanding Achievement Youth Award
Recognition for NRA Junior Members who take an active part in the shooting sports through individual participation and educational pursuits. All NRA Junior Members (or NRA Regular or Life Members under age 18) are eligible to receive the award once they have completed six core requirements and five elective requirements. Being awarded creates eligibility for National prizes contributed by Brownells. First, second, and third place winners receive $5,000, $3,000, and $2,000 respectively.

Youth Wildlife Art Contest
The annual Youth Wildlife Art Contest is open to students in grades 1 through 12. Artwork must depict a game bird or game animal legally hunted or trapped in North America. NRA membership is not required. Winners in each grade category receive $500; second-place winners receive $250, and the third-place award is $100.

Youth Education Summit
A seven-day, all-expense-paid, educational opportunity providing a select group of high school sophomores and juniors with a hands-on learning experience in Washington, D.C. Students will gain an eye-opening perspective on American history and government while observing the political process at work. To be admitted, submit an application form, a high school transcript, a three-page essay on the Second Amendment, a one--page personal statement, and three letters of recommendation.

Jeanne E. Bray Scholarship
College scholarships of up to $1,000 per semester (up to $2,000 per year for a maximum of four years) are awarded to dependent children of any public law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty who was an NRA member at the time of death, and to dependent children of any current or retired law enforcement officers who are living and have current NRA membership. Women's

Wildlife Management/Conservation Scholarship
A renewable one-year $5,000 scholarship available to women who are full-time college juniors or seniors with a minimum grade point average of 3.0, majoring in wildlife management/conservation.