Queen Sofía Spanish Institute Quizstory Podcast Award

About the Contest

Handwritten letter from Gardoqui e Hijos (firm) to Arthur Lee, April 4, 1778. (The Gilder Lehrman Institute, GLC01450.523)

High school students in Louisiana and Massachusetts will use primary sources to create and submit a three- to five-minute podcast episode that highlights either

one or more historical figures mentioned in Quizstory: Spanish Friendship
one or several of the historical events featured in the educational platform Spanish Influence on the American Revolution

The submissions form will close on February 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT. A panel of judges appointed by the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute will determine the award winners. The Queen Sofía Spanish Institute will notify the winners by Friday, March 20. Students whose podcasts are not selected for the award will receive an email from the Gilder Lehrman Institute by Friday, March 20.

The winners of this Award will receive a trip to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago, accompanied by a group of other American and Spanish students in association with International Studies Foundation, the philanthropic arm of CIS University. The winners will fly to Madrid on Sunday, June 21, and return on Friday, July 3. These dates cannot be adjusted. The trip includes six consecutive days of hiking. The distances range from eight to fifteen miles across moderate terrain with a cumulative total of seventy-five miles. See the itinerary.

Read the contest rules and regulations. If you have any questions regarding eligibility or requirements for the podcast, please email education@gilderlehrman.org. Questions about the trip can be directed to info@queensofiasi.org.

Submit Your Podcast

Where to Start

Students should familiarize themselves with either of the two resources available for them to use:

Mobile App: Quizstory: Spanish Friendship

The Queen Sofía Spanish Institute, in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Spain, has developed the educational app Quizstory: Spanish Friendship, a bilingual mobile application with the main objective of telling the lesser-known history of Hispanic contributions to the American Revolutionary War. Through various levels, missions, and quizzes, players tour the cities central to Spain’s support, answering questions about each hidden historical episode and ultimately unveiling the fundamental role that Spain and thousands of Hispanic soldiers played in the independence and establishment of the United States of America.

Spanish Influence on the American Revolution

The Queen Sofía Spanish Institute, in collaboration with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and the Royal Academy of Spain, developed an educational platform that highlights Spain’s influence on American history. This online platform offers a rich array of educational materials, providing free digital access to resources including a historical timeline and exhibition, lesson plans, primary sources, videos, scholarly essays, and the Portal of Hispanic History in America.

Entry Requirements and Guidelines

Eligibility

If you have any questions regarding eligibility, please email education@gilderlehrman.org.

Age: Students must be at least sixteen or seventeen years old by June 21, 2026.

Location: Students must be enrolled in a high school in Louisiana or Massachusetts.

Citizenship: Students must be citizens of the United States or Spain, or hold dual citizenship with both the United States and Spain. Students must also possess or be able to possess a valid United States or Spanish passport by June 21, 2026.

Availability: Students must be able to attend the entire trip and participate in all activities. The trip dates cannot be adjusted.

Podcast Requirements

If you have any questions regarding requirements for the podcast, please email education@gilderlehrman.org.

Submissions must highlight
- one or more historical figures mentioned in Quizstory: Spanish Friendship
or
- one or several of the historical events featured in the educational platform Spanish Influence on the American Revolution

Students must work in pairs. Submissions by a group of more or fewer than two students will not be accepted.

The submission must be between three and five minutes long.
Students may choose the format of their podcast, whether it’s an interview, a storytelling format, a news broadcast, or any other creative alternative.

The submission must be accompanied by an image of a historical document, preferably a primary source (such as a map, painting, letter, or receipt) related to the podcast’s content.

The creative piece must not violate any party’s copyright or trademark.

Project Examples

Below are two examples of podcasts created by students for other iterations of this award.

Sponsors

The Queen Sofía Spanish Institute is a New York–based nonprofit corporation founded in 1954 by a group of American Hispanophiles who sought to stimulate American interest in the art, culture, customs, language, literature, and history of Spain and the Spanish-speaking world. The QSSI maintains this vision by striving to share the contributions of Spanish speakers to the history and culture of the United States, and by showcasing the excellence of the Spanish-speaking world in numerous fields, so that lasting ties of friendship may be formed, mutual understanding promoted, and bonds of peace strengthened.

International Studies Foundation (ISF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Miami, United States, and Madrid, Spain. Founded in 2007, its mission is to provide social and educational projects for young people from underprivileged backgrounds, with the goal of promoting equal opportunities and contributing to social progress through personal and educational development.

Among its most notable initiatives is the Camino de Santiago Program, a transformative experience that offers young participants the opportunity to embark on a journey of personal growth and self-discovery. Over the course of ten days, they walk one of the world’s most historic pilgrimage routes, engaging in a cultural, spiritual, and educational experience in the heart of Spain.

CIS University is an American higher education institution based in Madrid, Spain, offering a transformative academic experience grounded in humanistic values and personalized education. With a strong commitment to cultural exchange and global learning, CIS University prepares students to become ethical, conscious, and purpose-driven leaders ready to make a positive impact on society. The university actively promotes partnerships and scholarships that connect education, culture, and personal development across continents.

Iberdrola España, with more than 120 years of experience, is a leader in renewable energies in the Spanish energy sector thanks to its wide variety of business lines and its strategic vision of the future. Patronage, supporting new forms of artistic expression and the restoration of cultural heritage are the main channels through which Iberdrola group’s commitment to culture finds expression. The company fulfills this commitment sustainably, supporting initiatives and programs geared to conserving and promoting cultural heritage and actions that foster and contribute to spreading the creative force of contemporary culture.