Submission window for the 2025 contest is now closed. Thank you to all who submitted!
Update (April 1, 2025): We are thrilled with the diversity and quality of the essay submissions in our first annual scholarship contest. We have engaged a panel of judges to select a group of finalists, who will then be invited to participate in a panel discussion interview. Stayed tuned for more updates on our LinkedIn page.
CONTEST DETAILS:
Are you a high school student with a keen interest in how data and technology are shaping our world and your future? Have you thought critically about your own role in the design, deployment, usage and management of data and technology? In our first annual essay contest, we invite you to reflect on your personal journey and vision as a future leader in this field. Evaluated by a panel of experts in relevant fields, a student with a winning submission will earn a $2,000 scholarship towards their college tuition, books, and fees.*
Eligibility:
Must be a current high school student as of Fall 2024. Must be a legal resident of the United States of America.
Prompt:
What do you believe to be the biggest challenge in our current use, treatment, and/or development of data and technology as it relates to you and your life as a high school student?
What are the personal experiences you’ve had, as well as examples from your peers and the community around you, that led you to believe this issue to be a serious challenge?
Describe in details actions that you are taking now or could take in the future to curtail the negative impact of this issue or provide a solution. Illustrate ways your educators, communities, and related organizations could help you in this effort.
Submission Guidelines:
Essays should be between 750-1000 words.
Focus on personal storytelling and thoughtful engagement with ethical issues surrounding our current use and development of data-driven technologies.
Include examples from your life or experiences that connect to your aspirations in shaping the ways you and your community interact with data and technology.
Registration opens on January 27th, 2025: [REGISTER HERE]
Upon acceptance of your registration, submissions are due on March 30th, 2025.
In addition to the scholarship, select essays will be recognized for their creativity, insight, and potential to inspire others in the community. By participating, you contribute to a vital conversation about not only how you will shape the future of data and technology, but how you can begin empowering yourself and those around you to make ethical decisions about data and technology right now.
*Definition of scholarship: Scholarships are gifts that don’t have to be repaid and are designed to help students pay for college or career school. They can be a one-time gift or renewable, depending on the scholarship. Source: https://studentaid.gov/help-center/answers/article/scholarship