Arkansas middle school students have an opportunity to turn their ideas for improving their communities into a trip to Washington, D.C., and a chance to win a $100,000 education savings plan through the 2027 National Civics Bee. Arkansas students in grades 6, 7, and 8 are invited to apply.
The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas, in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is inviting students in grades 6, 7, and 8 from across Arkansas to apply for the nationwide competition.
The program encourages students to identify challenges facing their communities, develop potential solutions, and demonstrate their knowledge of American government and civic responsibility.
Students attending public, private, and charter schools are eligible, along with homeschooled students.
Participation is completely FREE.
Applications are now being accepted, with a submission deadline of Tuesday, February 2, 2027, at 11:59 PM Hawaii Standard Time.
$100,000 National Championship Prize
The National Civics Bee offers students an opportunity to compete for recognition, educational opportunities, and prizes at regional, state, and national levels.
The student who wins the 2027 National Civics Bee Championship will receive a $100,000 contribution to a 529 education savings plan.
A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings account designed to help families pay for qualifying education expenses.
The national championship will take place in Washington, D.C., where state champions from across the country will compete for the top honor.
The 2027 National Civics Bee offers the following anticipated national prizes:
- 1st place: $100,000 contribution to a 529 education savings plan
- 2nd place: $25,000 cash prize
- 3rd place: $15,000 cash prize
The competition also offers awards at regional and state levels.
The national grand prize provides a significant opportunity for a middle school student to begin building financial resources for future educational expenses.
All Arkansas Middle School Students Encouraged to Apply
The 2027 National Civics Bee in Arkansas is open to residents currently enrolled in grades 6, 7, or 8.
Eligible students include those attending:
- Public middle schools.
- Private schools.
- Charter schools.
- Homeschool programs.
Students do not have to attend a particular school or live in a specific Arkansas city to participate.
The program is open statewide, giving students from small rural communities and larger cities the same opportunity to submit their ideas.
That includes students throughout North Central Arkansas in communities such as Searcy, Batesville, Heber Springs, Beebe, Cabot, Conway, Mountain View, Clinton, and surrounding areas.
There is no application fee or participation cost.
Students must have permission from a parent or guardian to participate.
How the 2027 National Civics Bee Works
The competition begins with an online essay application.
Students identify a problem or issue affecting their school or community and explain how they would work to address it.
The 2027 application includes 4 short-answer prompts.
Students are encouraged to prepare approximately 150-200 words for each response.
Their answers should explain:
- Community improvement — Identify an issue affecting a school or community and propose a positive change.
- Action plan — Explain how the student would put the idea into action.
- Community support — Identify individuals, organizations, or groups that could help make the idea successful.
- Civic responsibility — Explain how the proposal connects to American founding principles and civic virtues.
The competition encourages creative thinking, research, problem-solving, writing, and understanding the responsibilities of citizenship.
Students may develop proposals involving issues such as community safety, parks, environmental protection, education, neighborhood improvements, or other local concerns.
The goal is to encourage students to think about ways they can make a positive difference in their communities.
5 Regional Competition Hosts in Arkansas
The 2027 National Civics Bee will include regional competitions hosted by organizations throughout Arkansas.
The Arkansas State Chamber has identified the following regional hosts:
- The Academies of Central Arkansas
- Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance & Area Chamber of Commerce
- Magnolia-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce
- Paragould Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Rogers-Lowell Chamber
Students selected to advance from the essay application round will be assigned to the regional competition closest to their home address.
Regional competitions will give finalists an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of civics, American government, and community leadership.
The live competitions will feature civics questions, opportunities to demonstrate knowledge, and recognition for participating students.
According to the national competition schedule, regional competitions are expected to take place between late March and early May 2027.
Top Regional Students Advance to Arkansas State Finals
The top 3 students from each regional competition will advance to the Arkansas State Finals.
The state competition will bring together leading student competitors from participating regions across Arkansas.
Finalists will compete for awards and the opportunity to represent Arkansas at the national level.
The student receiving the highest qualifying score will be named the Arkansas State Champion.
That student will earn the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to compete in the National Civics Bee Championship.
The Arkansas State Finals are expected to take place between May and July 2027, with additional scheduling information to be announced.
Regional and State Prizes Also Available
Students do not have to win the national championship to receive recognition and prizes.
The National Civics Bee also offers anticipated cash awards at regional and state competitions.
Regional competition prizes:
1st place: $500
2nd place: $250
3rd place: $125
State competition prizes:
1st place: $1,000
2nd place: $500
3rd place: $250
These are anticipated minimum prize amounts listed by the national program. Official competition rules determine final award eligibility and conditions.
Students selected for regional and state competitions also gain opportunities to develop their public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership skills.
A Chance for Arkansas Students to Visit Washington, D.C.
One of the biggest opportunities offered through the National Civics Bee is the chance to represent Arkansas at the national competition.
The Arkansas State Champion will advance to Washington, D.C., where students from across the country will compete for national recognition and major educational prizes.
The national event provides students with opportunities to meet other young leaders, demonstrate their knowledge of government, and participate in an educational competition focused on civic engagement.
The trip also offers an opportunity for students to learn more about the nation’s capital and the importance of government institutions.
For a student from a small Arkansas community, the competition could open doors to experiences and opportunities well beyond their hometown.
Building Tomorrow’s Community Leaders
The National Civics Bee is designed to strengthen civic knowledge among young Americans while encouraging greater participation in their communities.
The nonpartisan competition focuses on helping students understand how government works, the importance of civic responsibility, and the role individuals can play in improving their communities.
Participation can help students develop several valuable skills, including:
- Critical thinking and problem-solving.
- Research and writing.
- Public speaking and communication.
- Understanding American government.
- Community involvement and leadership.
- Developing practical solutions to local challenges.
The program encourages students to recognize that their ideas and actions can make a meaningful difference, regardless of their age.
Educators and Parents Encouraged to Share Opportunity
The Arkansas State Chamber is encouraging teachers, school administrators, homeschool families, businesses, and community organizations to share information about the 2027 National Civics Bee.
Middle school teachers can incorporate the competition into classroom discussions involving government, history, writing, and civic responsibility.
Parents and guardians can encourage students to identify issues they care about and begin developing proposals for improving their communities.
Local chambers of commerce and businesses are also encouraged to help promote the opportunity.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation provides an essay application guide, student resources, and an educator toolkit to help students prepare.
The resources are available through the official National Civics Bee website.
Application Deadline February 2, 2027
Students interested in participating should begin preparing their applications before the February deadline.
The application portal opened September 7, 2026.
Completed applications must be submitted online no later than Tuesday, February 2, 2027, at 11:59 PM Hawaii Standard Time.
For Arkansas families, that corresponds to 3:59 AM Central Standard Time on Wednesday, February 3, 2027.
Students are encouraged to submit their applications well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical difficulties.
There is no cost to enter.
How to Apply for the 2027 National Civics Bee
Students and families can complete the application process online.
- Visit the official National Civics Bee application website.
- Review the 2027 Essay Application Guide and competition rules.
- Identify a community issue and develop a proposed solution.
- Prepare responses to the 4 application prompts.
- Complete and submit the online application before the February 2 deadline.
Official application: National Civics Bee 2027 application
Arkansas State Chamber information: arkansasstatechamber.com/national-civics-bee
National Civics Bee information: civics.uschamberfoundation.org/national-civics-bee
Arkansas Students Have an Opportunity to Make a Difference
The 2027 National Civics Bee offers Arkansas middle school students an opportunity to share their ideas, strengthen their knowledge of government, and compete for recognition and educational prizes.
Whether a student wants to improve a school, help a neighborhood, address an environmental concern, or develop another community project, the competition provides a way to turn an idea into a proposal.
One Arkansas student will ultimately earn the opportunity to represent the state in Washington, D.C., and compete for the $100,000 national championship education savings prize.
The Arkansas State Chamber is encouraging students, parents, educators, and community organizations to help spread the word before the February 2, 2027, application deadline.
2027 National Civics Bee at a Glance
Who can enter: Arkansas students in grades 6, 7, and 8
Eligible schools: Public, private, charter, and homeschool
Application cost: FREE
Application requirement: 4 short-answer essay responses proposing a solution to a community issue
Regional competitions: Expected March-May 2027
Arkansas State Finals: Expected May-July 2027
National championship: Washington, D.C., Fall 2027
Grand prize: $100,000 contribution to a 529 education savings plan
Application deadline: February 2, 2027, at 11:59 PM Hawaii Standard Time
Source: Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce; Associated Industries of Arkansas; U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation; The Civic Trust; 2027 National Civics Bee announcement
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