On 13 June 1878, with Commander Alfred Thayer Mahan as acting Chair, the Naval Institute adopted rules for the first essay contest — the General Prize Essay Contest. This contest continues to this day.

Currently, the Naval Institute sponsors 14 essay contests.

Current Essay Contests

Essay Contests
2025 MCEC Hero

2025 Marine Corps Essay Contest

Cosponsored by MajGen Charles F. Bolden Jr., USMC (Ret.) and Mr. Dirk P. Mosis III
Deadline
Bring new thinking about how the U.S. Marine Corps will tackle the security challenges of the coming decades.
NIEC Hero Image 2025

2025 Naval Intelligence Essay Contest

Cosponsored by the U.S. Naval Institute and Naval Intelligence Professionals
Deadline
This year’s naval intelligence essay contest invites you to take a fix and then propose a course for naval intelligence to adapt, inform, and shape...