Scholarship Contests

2026-2027 Scholarship Topics

2026-2027 Scholarship Topics - French


Optimist International offers three exciting scholarship contests that give students the opportunity to showcase their talents, build confidence, and earn scholarships to support their higher education goals: the Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH), the Essay Contest, and the Oratorical Contest.

Students begin competing at the Club level, with top participants advancing through Zone competitions (where applicable) and ultimately to the District level. Scholarships awarded at the District level are funded by the Optimist International Foundations and presented by Optimist International.

These contests are open to students who are under 19 years of age as of October 1 of the current Optimist International contest year (October 1–September 30) and who have not yet completed secondary school (high school) or its equivalent, including students enrolled in CEGEP in Québec, Canada. There are no minimum age requirements.

Essay Contest

Oratorical Contest

Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing


*Optimist International scholarships are made possible by you and your Optimist Club’s donations to the Optimist International Foundation in the United States and the Caribbean and the Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation.