APPLY
How to apply for the Barron PrizeNEW BARRON PRIZE TWO-STEP APPLICATION PROCESS
We are moving to a two-part application process for our 2026 awards cycle. The first step in that process – our new pre-application – will be open on our website from Jan. 7 – March 15, 2026.
Congratulations to Our 2025 Winners!
ELIGIBILITY
AGE
- Applicant must be between the ages of 8 and 18 (not yet age 19) on our annual application deadline of April 15.
- Applicants who are deemed eligible during Step 1 of our application process and will be under the age of 16 on the April 15 application deadline must provide parental consent during Step 2 of our application process.
RESIDENCY
- Applicant must be a permanent, legal resident of the U.S. or Canada with a social security number or valid tax i.d. number.
- Applicant must be currently residing in the 50 U.S. states, District of Columbia, or Canada. Residents of U.S. territories are not eligible to apply due to territories’ differences in contest rules.
SERVICE PROJECT
- Applicant has organized and led an extraordinary service activity that is clearly benefitting other people or the planet. This can include research projects that are already helping or have very real potential to help other people or the planet.
- The service activity must have been initiated primarily by the applicant and cannot have been done solely to complete an assignment for school or work.
- Applicant is currently working on his/her inspiring service project or has done so within the past 12 months.
- Applicant is working as an individual (or possibly with one other person) to lead their service work. No more than two co-applicants may apply together (and if selected as a winner, co-applicants share one award).
- Applicant has demonstrated heroic character qualities such as courage, compassion, dedication, generosity, perseverance, and high moral purpose.
- Applicant has done more than survive a difficult personal challenge. Their heroism must have made an impact on the world beyond themselves.
The Barron Prize does not discriminate against its applicants based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
QUESTIONS?
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
SAMPLE APPLICATION
You may preview our application here for planning purposes.
Remember, applications are accepted online ONLY. Applications sent via mail or by any method other than our online system will be deemed ineligible.
APPLICATION PROCESS TIMELINE
2025 winners will be announced in September!
WHAT WINNERS RECEIVE
$10,000 Award
Recognition Gifts
Young Heroes Materials
Each winner receives a copy of The Hero’s Trail by Barron Prize founder T. A. Barron, along with a copy of Dream Big, our documentary film profiling several former Barron Prize winners. Winners also receive our Young Heroes Activity Guide.
Networking Opportunities
Winners are given the opportunity to connect with other Barron Prize young heroes.
Media Coverage
Winners are provided with media opportunities to help publicize their service efforts.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Our judges use the following criteria in choosing winners:
1. Winners must have organized and led an extraordinary service activity which has clearly benefited other people or the planet we share.
• The service activity must have been initiated and motivated primarily by the winner himself or herself.
• The service activity cannot have been done solely to complete an assignment for school or work.
2. Winners must have:
• demonstrated positive spirit, courage, intelligence, generosity, and high moral purpose.
• shown initiative, tenacity, and unselfishness in pursuit of their goals.
• accomplished something with inspirational value—something that could inspire others to make a difference.
• done more than survive a difficult personal challenge. Their heroism must have made an impact on the world beyond themselves.
3. Winners may or may not have received recognition for their heroic work. Fame itself shall not have been a motivating factor.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Please read these requirements carefully before you begin the application process.
- Pre-Applications must be completed and submitted online by our deadline of 5:00 PM MT on March 15 each year. Pre-applicants will be notified via email within 10 days of submitting the Step 1 pre-application form regarding their eligibility to proceed to Step 2 of the application process (full application).
- Full Applications must be completed and submitted online by our deadline of 5:00 PM MT on April 15 each year, when the system will automatically close.
- We do not accept applications via fax, email, U.S. mail, or any other carrier.
- Please contact us well in advance of our deadline for any assistance you need. We do not accept pre-applications after 5:00 PM MT on March 15. We do not accept full applications after 5:00 PM MT on April 15.
- Parental consent is required for applicants who are not yet 16 years of age or older. This consent is found at the bottom of the first page (“Profile”) of the online application.
- Applications must include a letter from the Lead Reference. A Lead Reference is simply an adult advocate who has solid knowledge of the young person’s heroic activities. Examples of Lead References include teachers, librarians, school counselors, youth service officials, and religious leaders.
- Applications must also include two additional letters of recommendation.
- Members of the applicant’s family cannot act as a Lead Reference nor write the other two required letters of recommendation.
- Letters of recommendation must be submitted by references using our online system. Applicants cannot upload letters.
- All required application materials, including letters of recommendation, must be submitted by the full application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Contents of the application are considered public information once submitted and should not include private or privileged information.