Purpose:

The NPS Foundation/U.S. Naval Institute Annual Essay Contest Award is jointly sponsored by the NPS Foundation and the U.S. Naval Institute to encourage writing for publication and critical thinking among students, faculty, and staff at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. Essays should be based on thesis, research, or operational experience that best advances the military profession.

Eligibility:

Open to U.S. Naval Postgraduate School students, faculty or staff members.

  • For NPS students: The essays can be directly related to a thesis or recent operational experience.
  • For NPS faculty or staff members: The essays could address an issue of particular relevance to the military profession.

Submission Guidelines

  • Word Count: 3,000 words maximum (excludes endnotes/sources).
  • Include word count on the title page but do not include your name on title page or within the essay.
  • Note: Your essay must be original and not previously published (online or in print) or being considered for publication elsewhere. 

Prize:

$5,000

Selection Process:

Final selection of the winning essay will be made by the U.S. Naval Institute's Editorial Board.  All essays will be judged in the blind—i.e., the judges will not know the authors of the essays.

Announcement of the Winner:

The winner will be published in the June issue of Proceedings and recognized at the Naval Postgraduate School (date to be determined).

Selected Submissions

PRIZE
TITLE
NAME
Winner
Chief Warrant Officer-3 Richard Manley, U.S. Army
Cosponsored by
NPS Foundation Logo
Naval Postgraduate School Foundation
Cosponsored by
Naval Institute

Previous Winners