ChallengeUS
Future Leaders
Competition
Summer 2025
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⌄
Until Deadline
The ChallengeUS Future Leaders Competition aims to critically engage and amplify youth voices from all over the world in civic ideas and challenges. The competition seeks to find, spotlight, and reward promising future leaders through scholarship prizes and award recognition. For this summer cycle, the competition is asking students to envision their future and what they hope their country accomplishes by the year 2050.
Participation in the ChallengeUS Future Leaders Competition offers the opportunity to join the ChallengeUS Future Leaders Network (global community of young changemakers), secure cash prizes that can be put towards educational and professional pursuits, and gain public recognition for exceptional work.
MAY 26
Contest Open
July 25
Contest Close
$500
Top Cash Prize
What's New?
Unlike previous cycles, we will now select a single, overall 1st place winner from the entire competition pool instead of a different 1st place winner representing each submission category. After the overall 1st place winner has been chosen, we will still recognize three "Best in Class" honorable mentions (one from each submission category). The overall 1st place winner will be awarded $500 USD, have their submission published by ChallengeUS, be featured in a biographical article, and receive a Certificate of Special Achievement. The "Best in Class" honorable mentions will also have their submission published, be featured in biographical articles, and receive a Certificate of Achievement.
Please refer to the "Eligibility, Guidelines and Prizes" section below for more details.
Prompt: Summer 2025
As we journey along the 21st century, the challenges facing countries all over the world are only becoming more complex. However, with every challenge comes the opportunity to imagine something better. What’s one thing you hope your country accomplishes by the year 2050? What steps need to be taken to realize your vision?
Eligibility, Guidelines and Prizes
Please read the following carefully.
Eligibility
- Any student, residing in any country, currently enrolled in an accredited high school or undergraduate college/university, is eligible to participate
- Students taking academic gap years or semesters are also eligible
- Submissions (speech or writing) must be in English
- Participants from previous competition cycles are eligible to enter the current competition cycle, except those that won first place in any previous ChallengeUS competitions
- Any use of AI or plagiarism is strictly prohibited and will result in automatic disqualification
Prizes
- One overall First Place winner will be recognized along with three "Best in Class" honorable mentions (one from each submission category). This means 4 students, in total, will be recognized.
- The overall First Place winner will be awarded $500 (USD)
- The overall First Place winner and the 3 "Best in Class" honorable mentions will be spotlighted in a biographical article by ChallengeUS
- The overall First Place Winner and the 3 "Best in Class" honorable mentions will receive a Certificate of Achievement and their submissions will be published by ChallengeUS
- All participants will gain access to the global ChallengeUS Future Leaders Network
Creative Writing Guidelines
- Word Limit: 1250 words
- Writing submissions should be in PDF format with a readable font size (11 or 12 pt.) and a professional font style (Times New Roman, Arial)
- Entries might include personal narratives, reflections, stories, poems, written speeches, memoirs, and other personal essays that address the prompt while showcasing the writer’s critical thinking, personal expression, and storytelling abilities
Analytical Writing Guidelines
- Word Limit: 1250 words
- Writing submissions should be in PDF format with a readable font size (11 or 12 pt.) and a professional font style (Times New Roman, Arial)
- If research is incorporated, any citation style (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.) will be accepted and citations will not count towards the word limit
- Entries might include argumentative essays, research papers, literature reviews, case studies, and other forms of academic writing that use sources and citations to drive key insights
Speech Guidelines
- Speech Limit: 10 minutes
- Speech submissions should be in MP4 format
- High audio and video quality is expected
- Entries might include any form of verbal speech or presentation submitted in a video form. Visual aids are permitted but speech quality will be the foremost evaluation criteria
Categories
Participants are welcomed and encouraged to submit entries to multiple divisions (creative writing, analytical writing, and speech) in order to maximize chances at winning. However, winning contestants will only be awarded 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in ONE division.
Creative Writing
Entries might include personal narratives, reflections, stories, poems, written speeches, memoirs, and other personal essays that address the prompt while showcasing the writer’s critical thinking, personal expression, and storytelling abilities. The emphasis is on originality, personal voice, and engaging the reader with thoughtful insight as well as emotional depth.
Analytical Writing
Entries might include argumentative essays, research papers, literature reviews, case studies, and other forms of academic writing that uses sources and citations to drive key insights. Submissions are expected to present well-researched, evidence-based essays that address the prompt. The emphasis is on logical reasoning, structured analysis, and the ability to support answers to the prompt with facts, examples, or data.
Speech
Entries might include any form of verbal speech or presentation submitted in a video form. Speakers are welcomed to use creative and/or analytical techniques in their speech submission. Visual aids are permitted but the emphasis will be on effective verbal communication while providing unique perspectives, ideas, and insights addressing the prompt.
NOTE: If you're unsure whether your writing submission falls under "creative writing" or "analytical writing," ask yourself if your submission utilizes citations or sources. If it does, your submission likely falls under "analytical writing." If not, it likely falls under "creative writing."
Still unsure? You're welcome to submit to both categories to be safe or reach out to us at admin@challengeusnow.org for further guidance.
Evaluation Rubric
The following rubric is provided to assist, not dictate, participants with how to craft a successful submission. As a general rule of thumb, we ask two questions when evaluating submissions: How well is the contestant communicating their message through their words? How interesting, insightful, or innovative is that message?
| Score (1-5) | Foundational (1) | Progressing (2) | Proficient (3) | Impressive (4) | Exceptional (5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Writing | At this level, the submission is challenging to follow with little to no direction. Grammar and language mistakes are common. There is little to no personal voice. The submission is not engaging and has little to no depth. Trivial ideas are presented and little or no implications are offered. | The submission is sometimes hard to understand with limited originality. There are grammar and spelling mistakes but they are not confusing. There is some presence of a personal voice. The submission is slightly engaging and there is some depth. The submission presents some relevant ideas but offers little significant implications. | The submission is generally easy to follow. Personal voice and originality are present but not seen throughout. There are few grammar and spelling mistakes. The submission is moderately engaging and offers sufficient depth. Relevant ideas are presented and implications are offered. | The submission is clear to understand and originality is present throughout. There are no grammar or spelling mistakes. Writer’s personal voice shines through. The submission is significantly engaging and eloquent while offering depth. Relevant ideas are presented and significant implications are offered. | At this level, the submission meets all the criteria to be considered Impressive (4). However, the submission then goes above and beyond by presenting original, innovative ideas and perspectives that are not commonly heard or presents them in a creative way not commonly seen. |
| Analytical Writing | At this level, the submission is challenging to follow either due to frequent grammar and language mistakes or lack of structure and flow. The submission does not address the prompt or superficial ideas are presented with little to no depth. | The submission is sometimes hard to understand and evidence is limited. There are grammar and language mistakes but they hardly inhibit the reader’s ability to follow. The submission slightly addresses the prompt. Analytical ideas and perspectives are sometimes presented but minimally explored. | The submission is generally easy to follow and offers sufficient evidence. There are few grammar and language mistakes. The submission addresses the prompt and its significance. Analytical ideas and perspectives are present. Relevant ideas are seen and explored with moderate depth. | The submission is clear to understand with strong evidence. There are no grammar or language mistakes. The submission clearly addresses the prompt and its significance. Analytical ideas and perspectives are present throughout. Highly relevant ideas are presented and explored with profound depth. | At this level, the submission meets all the criteria to be considered Impressive (4). However, the submission then goes above and beyond by presenting original and innovative perspectives, ideas or arguments that have not been commonly heard. |
| Speech | At this level, the submission is challenging to follow, and there is no clear direction. Audio or video issues may also be distracting. The speaker doesn’t speak confidently. The submission does not address the prompt. Ideas perspectives are unclear. The submission presents superficial ideas and does not explore further. | The speech is sometimes hard to follow and the speech’s structure is unclear at times. Audio or video issues are present but not distracting. The speaker shows flashes of public speaking skill but is not consistent. The submission somewhat addresses the prompt. Interesting ideas and perspectives are sometimes present but are explored with limited depth. | The speech is generally easy to follow with a structure that makes sense. There are few audio or video issues that are not distracting. The speaker is generally engaging to listen to. The submission addresses the prompt and its significance. Relevant, interesting ideas and perspectives are present and explored beyond the surface. | The speech is not only easy to follow with a clear structure/flow but engaging to listen to due to the speaker’s oratory skill. There are no audio or video issues. The submission clearly addresses the prompt and its significance through interesting ideas and perspectives that are explored with depth. | At this level, the speech meets all the criteria to be considered Impressive (4). However, the submission then goes above and beyond by presenting original, innovative ideas and perspectives that are not commonly heard or communicates them in a unique way that demonstrates advanced oratory ability. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will I be notified about contest results?
Contest results will be released on this page by the end of September 2025. Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we will NOT be able to provide individual updates or feedback on the status of specific submissions.
Can I submit to multiple categories (Creative Writing, Analytical Writing, Speech)?
Yes! In fact, we encourage you to do so in order to maximize chances at winning. However, please be aware winning contestants will only be awarded for ONE division.
I previously participated in a ChallengeUS competition. Can I still participate in this current competition?
Participants from previous competition cycles are indeed eligible to enter the current competition cycle unless they previously won first place in any of our competitions.
I'm not sure if my submission falls under "creative writing" or "analytical writing." What should I do?
If you're not sure whether your writing submission fits under "creative writing" or "analytical writing," ask yourself if your submission utilizes citations or sources. If it does, your submission likely falls under "analytical writing." If not, it likely falls under "creative writing."
Still unsure? You're welcome to submit to both categories to be safe or reach out to us at admin@challengeusnow.org for further guidance.
I already submitted, but would like to resubmit before the deadline. What can I do?
To resubmit, please submit again using the same submission form for the contest division(s) you are entering. Your latest submission will be taken as your final submission.
I'm having an issue submitting my entry. What can I do?
Please email us at admin@challengeusnow.org to receive assistance.
I missed the deadline. Can I have an extension?
To guarantee fairness for all participants, no exceptions are granted for the deadline.
I have a question not covered in the guidelines or these FAQs. What should I do?
Please email admin@challengeusnow.org with your question.
