U.S. Department of Education Celebrates Presidential 1776 Award Regional Semifinals

The U.S. Department of Education (the Department) celebrates the Presidential 1776 Award Regional Semifinals, which took place on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026. 20 finalists, representing the top four students from each region, and one alternate, will advance to the National Finals, to take place on June 9, 2026 at the Trump Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

The Presidential Award for Civics is a key part of the Department's celebration of America's 250th birthday. All five Regional Semifinal competitions took place simultaneously at the following presidential sites:

• Region 1: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum - Boston, Massachusetts

• Region 2: Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum - Atlanta, Georgia

• Region 3: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum - Grand Rapids, Michigan

• Region 4: George W. Bush Presidential Center - Dallas, Texas

• Region 5: Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum - Yorba Linda, California

More than 8,000 high school students from all 50 states and territories signed up for the qualifying Impossible Civics Test. 173 students competed in the Regional Semifinals, bringing together top-performing students to demonstrate their knowledge of the Constitution, the American founding, and key moments in our nation's history.

Following the completion of the Regional Semifinals, the nationwide competition now advances to its final stage. During the National Finals, students will answer short-answer verbal questions. The top three finalists will win $250,000 in scholarship prizes.

About the Presidential 1776 Award

Presidential 1776 Award is a nationwide competition recognizing exceptional student knowledge of the American founding. This award program establishes a national scholarship contest that evaluates students' civic understanding and the principles that shaped the United States.

The Presidential 1776 Award competition unfolds in three distinct stages designed to identify and celebrate high school students' knowledge of America's founding:

• In Round One, held during the week of February 22 to 28, 2026, students competed in The Impossible Civics Test, an online, timed, electronically proctored multiple-choice exam. This served as the qualifying round, and four finalists from each state were selected to advance to Round Two.

• In Round Two, held on May 2, 2026, the state finalists competed in one of five in-person Regional Semifinal competitions. During these verbal competitions, students answered short-answer questions that tested their understanding of the Constitution, the American founding, and key moments in our nation's history. The top four students from each region will move on to the National Final.

• Round Three, the National Final, will take place in Washington, D.C. on June 9, 2026. Students will answer short-answer verbal questions and will be awarded a point for each correct answer. The top three winners receive scholarships of up to $150,000.