ChallengeUS Future Leaders Competition (summer 2026)

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.

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.

Prompt: Summer 2026

Young people are often told that their voices and actions can shape the world around them. But the ability to feel powerful, heard, or capable of creating change is not experienced equally by everyone. What experiences have shaped your belief in whether or not you can make a difference? 

Categories

Participants are welcomed and encouraged to submit entries to multiple categories (creative writing, analytical writing, speech, and art) in order to maximize chances at winning. However, winning contestants will only be awarded recognized in ONE category.

• 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.
• Art: Entries might include drawings, paintings, digital artworks, photographs, mixed media pieces, cartoons, magazine covers and other forms of artistic media, whether digital or traditional. Submissions should be original works, be made with effort, and follow the prompt. The emphasis is on interpretation of theme, creativity, and demonstrated skill.