Scholarships
Essay Contest
The Optimist International Essay Contest gives young people a platform to share their ideas, perspectives, and opinions about the world around them. Through thoughtful and creative writing, students can explore topics from their own personal experiences, their community or country, or even a historical perspective.
In addition to strengthening their written communication and critical-thinking skills, participants have the opportunity to earn scholarship funding for their future education.
Winners at the Club level advance to the District Contest, where they compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. District-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundations
2026-2027 Topic: “Finding My Voice in a World Full of Noise”
To be eligible, a contestant must:
Be under the age of 19 on October 1 of the current Optimist International contest year (October 1–September 30); and not have completed high school or its equivalent, including students attending CEGEP in Québec, Canada. There is no minimum age requirement. Students must submit their entries through the District in which they reside. U.S. students attending school on military installations outside the United States may enter through the District associated with their last permanent U.S. home of record.
How To Enter:
Students interested in participating should submit an essay on the assigned topic through their local Optimist Club. To find the Optimist Club nearest you or obtain local contact information, email the Programs Department at programs@optimist.org
(Please note: We are unable to connect contestants with their local Optimist Club until October 1, the official start of the new Optimist International contest year.).
Deadline:
The deadline to enter is determined by the sponsoring Optimist Club and varies by area. Please contact your local Club for specific entry deadlines. All Club-level contests are held by early February of each year. Submissions will not be accepted after Club-level contests have closed.
Visual Arts Contest
This exciting competition is designed to encourage and celebrate youth visual art skills and gives the youth we serve another outlet for their creativity!
Guidelines 1. The contest will be held at the Club or school level and International level. The topic this year is Stronger Together.
2. Club or school level judging may be by Club Members, teachers, professional artists/instructors, or by public voting. Clubs and schools should submit their best entries for judging at the international level.
3. The project for the Visual Arts Competition shall be the creation of a set of twelve note cards and envelopes.
4. Artist must be age eleven or lower as of October 1, 2026. There are two age divisions: up to 7 years of age and 8-11 years of age. Art for notecards will be selected from each age division, proportionate to number of entries. Limit one entry per artist.
5. Clubs or schools may provide awards to participants and winners at the local level.
6. Artwork must be created on 11″ wide x 8.5″ high paper or construction paper. The artist’s name should be written lightly on the back of the artwork.