The 2026 Citizenship Challenge contest is now open, allowing students in our Affiliate School network to creatively showcase their understanding of American history, civics, and the naturalization exam by creating a new exam question.
The Citizenship Challenge
The Citizenship Challenge: Redesigning America’s Citizenship Test
Ten $500 Prizes
Grades 3–12
About the Contest
Students in grades 3 –12 are eligible. As part of the contest, students will submit an original question they believe should be added to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Department naturalization exam. Review the steps to participate and contest guidelines below.
Students, teachers, or parents can submit student entries here by 10:00 p.m. ET on Friday, March 13, 2026, to be considered for the prize. A jury of master teachers recruited by GLI will review the entries and select the finalists. The winners will be determined by a panel composed of members of GLI’s Student Advisory Council. Entries will be evaluated for their creativity, accuracy, and quality of argumentation. Students’ work will be reviewed and judged at their respective grade levels (Grades 3–8 and Grades 9–12). Winners will be notified and announced in May 2026.
Steps to Participate
Step 1: Imagine and Advise
Imagine you are a student advisor to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Department (USCIS) on redesigning the naturalization exam. Review the current 128 questions on the exam and explore the questions and answers on GLI’s website.
Consider:
- Are all the essential historical topics covered?
- What is missing that future citizens should know?
Step 2: Create Your Entry
High-quality entries will include the following:
- A relevant and insightful history-based question that should be included in the new test
- A multiple-choice format with the correct answer to your question as well as three incorrect answers
- A short rationale explaining why the correct answer is correct, and sharing additional information about the topic your question addresses (50–200 words)
- The reason you chose this question, highlighting why the information is critical for US citizens to know (100–150 words)
- A bibliography that lists all sources. If you are in grades 9–12, your sources should be documented using MLA, APA, or the Chicago Manual of Style/Turabian.
Step 3: Submit Your Entry
Submit your entry through the GLI contest submission portal by March 13, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET. For more details and submission instructions, visit our contest rules here. If you have any questions, please contact citizenship@gilderlehrman.org.
We can’t wait to see your unique perspectives and brilliant insights on citizenship and naturalization.
Congratulations to the 2025 Winners!
A panel of Gilder Lehrman master teachers selected the pool of finalists from 450 submissions, from which a jury of Gilder Lehrman Student Advisory Council members selected the winners. Entries were evaluated for their historical reflection, clarity, research, persuasiveness, and imagination.
Grades 3–8 Winners
Olivia Charles
Grade: 5
School: Davis Elementary School, NY
Marguerite Mauldin
Grade: 8
School: Eastern Middle School, MD
Ira Rao
Grade: 7
School: Timberline Middle School, WA
Juno Seigel
Grade: 8
School: Eastern Middle School, MD
Iahn Jemsin Seo
Grade: 7
School: Boston Latin School, MA
Grades 9–12 Winners
Juliana Albanese
Grade: 9
School: Croton-Harmon High School, NY
Yi Xiang Chen
Grade: 12
School: Francis Lewis High School, NY
Gabriel Gougenheim
Grade: 9
School: The British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Shamir Pena
Grade: 11
School: Passaic County Technical Institute, NJ
Viola Venezia
Grade: 9
School: Haverford High School, PA
Other Citizenship Resources
Review the Citizenship Test
Use the full version of the citizenship test on our website to get a sense of what is on the exam.
View the Video Library
Our resource suite includes a library of short videos explaining key topics connected to questions on the citizenship test, featuring eminent historians and content experts in the field.