THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY PRIZE
A National Competition for Emerging Voices
The Future of Democracy Prize is a national competition designed to elevate the voices of the next generation at a pivotal moment for democratic governance.
The Future of Democracy Prize, presented by Democracy Defenders Fund, invites Americans ages 18–30 to share bold ideas for strengthening democracy in the decades ahead. Selected finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and winning submissions will be published in a national anthology.
Across the United States and around the world, democratic institutions are facing sustained pressure, from rising authoritarian movements and disinformation to deepening political polarization. As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, this moment offers an opportunity not only to reflect on America’s founding ideals, but to imagine how democracy can renew, evolve, and grow stronger in the years ahead.
This competition asks young Americans to grapple with a defining question: What will it take for U.S. democracy not only to survive, but to thrive?
About the Contest
The Future of Democracy Prize is nonpartisan and open to participants across the country and across the ideological spectrum. The goal is not partisan advocacy, but serious engagement with one of the most important questions facing the nation’s future.
Finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and selected works will be published in a professionally produced anthology with a foreword by Democracy Defenders Fund Executive Director Susan Corke, amplifying emerging voices in a national conversation about democracy’s future.
Participants are encouraged to offer bold, thoughtful, and creative ideas for strengthening democratic resilience in the decades to come. Submissions may draw on lessons from American history, democratic struggles abroad, civic innovation, or cultural imagination.
Recognizing that democracy is shaped not only in institutions but also through culture and storytelling, the contest welcomes a range of formats, including:
- Essays
- Visual art
- Digital design
- Video
- Multimedia and other creative formats
Contest Judges
Submissions to The Future of Democracy Prize are evaluated by an esteemed panel of leaders from law, journalism, civic advocacy, and public service. Together, the judges bring deep experience defending democratic institutions, strengthening civic engagement, and advancing public accountability.
The panel reviews submissions based on originality, clarity of vision, relevance to the contest prompt, and overall potential impact.
Senior Policy Counsel,
Democracy Defenders Fund
Program Associate,
The Contrarian
Executive Chair,
Democracy Defenders Fund
Board Member,
Democracy Defenders Fund
Senior Fellow, Just Security
Legal Analyst and Independent Journalist
Frequently Asked Questions
The contest is open to essays as well as any multimedia artwork (paintings, drawings, digital graphics, videos, etc.). For essays, we accept up to 1,500 words. For videos, we accept up to five minutes long. As detailed above, contestants will submit an abstract first before being commissioned to complete the full piece (if selected), at which point DDF can communicate directly with the finalists on specifics for their final completed pieces.
The abstract as well as the final piece must not have been previously published in any print or digital outlet (news outlets, academic journals, Substacks, social media platforms, etc.) or displayed at any exhibitions. We are seeking original, unpublished works.
The contest is open to 18-30 year olds who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and reside in the United States. Contestants must be within this age range at the time of submission. There is no education requirement. Employees of DDF and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate.
The submission window to enter the contest is closed. It was open from Thursday, April 2, through Friday, May 15. During this submission window, participants were able to submit a 350-word abstract via the online submission portal describing the essay or artwork they would create in response to the prompt.
The contest is open to essays as well as any multimedia artwork (paintings, drawings, digital graphics, videos, etc.). For essays, we accept up to 1,500 words. For videos, we accept up to five minutes long. As detailed above, contestants will submit an abstract first before being commissioned to complete the full piece (if selected), at which point DDF can communicate directly with the finalists on specifics for their final completed pieces.
The abstract as well as the final piece must not have been previously published in any print or digital outlet (news outlets, academic journals, Substacks, social media platforms, etc.) or displayed at any exhibitions. We are seeking original, unpublished works.
The submission window to enter the contest is closed.
The deadline to submit was Friday, May 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The submission window to enter the contest is closed.
All abstract submissions will be reviewed and scored by DDF team members to build a pool of semifinalists. The semifinalists will then be narrowed down to finalists by our contest judges. The judges are:
- Jonathan Barry Blocker, senior policy counsel at Democracy Defenders Fund
- Lily Conway, program associate at The Contrarian
- Norm Eisen, executive chair of Democracy Defenders Fund
- Rahna Epting, board member of Democracy Defenders Fund
- Tom Joscelyn, senior fellow at Just Security
- Katie Phang, legal analyst and independent journalist
Submissions will be evaluated based on originality, clarity of vision, relevance to the prompt, and overall potential impact.
Reach out to futureprize@democracydefenders.org with questions.
No purchase, payment, or contribution is necessary to enter or win and will not improve chances of winning. Void where prohibited. Entries must be received by May 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. Ten (10) winners will receive the following prize package: $1000 payment and publication in digital and print anthology (approx. retail value $1000). Odds depend on number of entries received. Promotion open only to U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent U.S. residents who are legal residents of 50 United States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and between the ages of 18 or older (or age of majority under applicable law) and under the age of 30 at the time of submission. View full official rules at [http://democracydefendersfund.org/future-prize/rules]. Sponsor: Democracy Defenders Fund, 600 Pennsylvania Ave SE Suite 15180, Washington DC 20003.