About the Contest
Our founder, William F. Buckley Jr., began his career as a public intellectual when he wrote God and Man at Yale, a scathing critique of his alma mater and its growing biases. Each summer, National Review Institute holds a student essay contest to promote thought and discussion surrounding William F. Buckley Jr.’s work. The winning essay is published on NationalReview.com.
2025
Many Americans worry about the challenges posed by AI, digital monopolies, and new social movements. How can economic freedom ensure a bright future for America?
We invite the participation of college students who will be sophomores or juniors this fall, and essays must be between 1,500 and 2,000 words. The winning essay is published on National Review Online. Submit your essay to buckleyessay@nrinstitute.org. The deadline is July 31.
2024 Contest Winner
John Hatzis’s winning essay titled “Rescuing Patriotism in a Nation on the Brink” was published on NationalReview.com on September 13, 2024. Read it here. As a part of John’s winnings, he participated in a virtual forum, where he was interviewed by the William F. Buckley Jr. Fellow in Political Journalism, Haley Strack.
John currently studies history and philosophy at Grove City College, and he is part of the class of 2027. On campus he competes in debate, serves as a tour guide, and participates in a variety of musical and theatrical performance groups. John is from Stafford, Virginia. He first encountered National Review in middle school when his father subscribed to the magazine. In his free time, John enjoys being in nature and listening to audiobooks.
