2025 First Amendment Scholars – Law Student Essay Competition

The Freedom From Religion Foundation has just announced its 2025 essay competition for law school students. FFRF is offering over $9,000 in prizes for the top three essays submitted on the topic, and $500 honorable mentions at judges’ discretion.

PRIZE INFORMATION: 1st Place $4,000, 2nd Place $3,000, and 3rd Place $2,000

THIS YEAR'S TOPIC: Under the First Amendment, may states require religious organizations that receive government funding to comply with anti-discrimination laws?

PROMPT: Following the Supreme Court ruling in Carson v. Makin, religious organizations seeking to participate in government funding programs have argued that requiring them to comply with anti-discrimination laws in order to receive public money violates their constitutional rights. Respond to the argument that anti-discrimination laws cannot be enforced against religious schools receiving public funds. Your argument must be supported by clear well-researched legal analysis, including case law.

ESSAY GRADING: Essays will be blinded to avoid unintentional bias. A selection of FFRF attorneys will be on the review panel.

WORD LIMIT AND FORMATTING: Essay must be no longer than 1,500 words (not including footnotes), double spaced, standard margins, and font size 11 to 14 point. Include page numbers and the title of your essay on each page. Choose your own title. Indicate word length at end of essay. Citations must be included as footnotes.

The contest is open to all ongoing law school students attending a North American law school. You remain eligible to enter this contest if you will graduate from law school by spring or summer of 2025. You remain eligible if you graduated law school in December 2024. You are not eligible to enter if you will be starting law school for the first time in the fall of 2025. You may not re-enter if FFRF has already awarded you for a law student essay.