$150 awards in both the Junior and the Senior divisions

Sponsored by the Rhode Island Foundation, this prize is awarded to one exemplary entry in any category in both the Junior and Senior divisions that uses primary and secondary sources to develop a project tied to Roger Williams, early Rhode Island history and/or the legacies and impact of Roger Williams’ example (for example, religious freedom, free speech, etc.). Successful projects should explain the significance of Roger Williams, his ideas, and/or Rhode Island’s settlement in a historical context.

This award is sponsored by the RI Foundation.

$100 award in both the Junior and Senior divisions

Since 1994, the Fort Adams Trust's mission has been to preserve and revitalize historic Fort Adams for the public’s benefit. Sitting in a Rhode Island State Park this National Historic Landmark from its pre-Revolutionary earthen cannon emplacements to its World War II command center, has stood as a cornerstone of America’s coastal defense and a symbol of our nation’s military resilience.

This $100 cash prize is awarded to one outstanding project in the Junior and one in the Senior Division that demonstrates exceptional engagement with our nation’s military history from the American Revolution through World War II. Projects should make effective use of both primary and secondary sources, with preference given to topics connected to Rhode Island history or strategic defense.

This award is sponsored by the Fort Adams Trust.

$150 awards in both the Junior and the Senior divisions

Junior League of Rhode Island is a nonprofit organization of women that has been working for over 100 years to advance meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. This $150 cash prize is awarded to one outstanding entry in both the Junior and Senior divisions that use primary and secondary sources to develop a project exploring topics related to women's history and its legacies, especially Rhode Island women or examples of how women have positively impacted their communities. 

This award is sponsored by the Junior League of Rhode Island.

$150 awards in both the Junior and Senior divisions

The Museum of Work & Culture Preservation Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to bolstering the Museum of Work & Culture initiatives and ensuring its position as an essential historical and cultural resource in the Blackstone Valley. This $150 prize is awarded to one outstanding entry in both the Junior and Senior divisions that uses primary and secondary sources to develop a project exploring themes of immigration, industry, or the history of the Blackstone Valley.

This award is sponsored by the Museum of Work & Culture Preservation Foundation.

$150 awards in both the Junior and Senior divisions

Since 1963, the National Maritime Historical Society (NMHS) has celebrated the sea and waterways and their role in shaping civilization. In keeping with this year’s National History Day theme, “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History,” NMHS will present a $150 cash award in both the Junior and Senior Divisions for outstanding maritime projects that use strong primary and secondary sources to investigate how the sea and waterways have shaped historical events and ideas. Winners also receive a one-year NMHS membership with Sea History magazine and recognition on the NMHS website and social media (with permission). Mentoring teachers also receive a one-year NMHS membership and Sea History subscription. 

This award is sponsored by the National Maritime Historical Society. 

$200 award in either the Junior or Senior division

The Naval Order of the United States (NOUS) is dedicated to preserving, promoting and celebrating the history of our nation’s maritime services. This $200 prize is awarded to one outstanding entry in both the Junior and Senior divisions for projects that use primary sources to explore naval or maritime history. The project should explain why the subject(s) or event(s) is important and place it in historical context. Primary source materials may be accessed online or in person, and include a broad range of materials. Examples include, but are not limited to, original archival manuscripts and documents, images, artifacts, and oral histories. 

This award is sponsored by the Naval Order of the United States, Newport Commandery. 

$100 awards in both the Junior and Senior divisions

This prize is awarded to an outstanding entry in any category in both the Junior and Senior divisions that develops a project tied to the history of Latinos in Rhode Island, including individuals, community groups, and businesses who have impacted our state's cultural, social, political, or economic history. Preference will be given to projects that use audio and visual primary sources that connect or grow the existing collection of oral histories and stories of Rhode Island’s Spanish-speaking people. Successful projects may use a variety of resources, including the Nuestras Raíces website, digital archives, or collections. Bilingual entries are encouraged. Selected student(s) will receive a stipend award for their work.

This award is sponsored by Nuestras Raíces @ Rhode Island Latino Arts 

$100 awards for documentary or website entries in both the Junior and Senior divisions

Ocean State Media is a locally owned and operated public media organization serving Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. It is rooted in deeply local journalism and community-centered storytelling. We deliver trusted news, engaging programs, and digital content that inform, inspire, and reflect the people, places, and cultures of our region. Guided by civic engagement and innovation across platforms, we bring local, national, and international stories to our community. This prize is awarded to one outstanding entry in the documentary or website category in both junior and senior divisions, with a focus on the organization’s demographic market area of Rhode Island or Bristol County, Massachusetts.

Awardees will receive $100, and their work may be recognized on Ocean State Media broadcast channels, oceanstatemedia.org, and/or Ocean State Media social media outlets. Mentoring teachers will also receive a one-year membership, which includes access to PBS Passport, 12 issues of RI Monthly magazine, and email communications.

This award is sponsored by Ocean State Media.

$100 awards in both the Junior and Senior divisions

This prize is awarded to one outstanding entry in any category in both the Junior and Senior divisions that significantly engages with family history research methods and writing. Topics can be related to a particular record group (ex. Census or newspapers) or focus on the genealogy of a person. The selected student will receive a cash prize and a one year membership to the Rhode Island Genealogical Society.

This award is sponsored by the Rhode Island Genealogical Society

$150 awards in both the Junior and Senior divisions

The Rhode Island Historical Society, the state's oldest and only state-wide historical organization, welcomes everyone to engage with Rhode Island’s complex and significant past through its collections, museums, and educational initiatives. This $150 cash prize is awarded to one outstanding entry in both the Junior and Senior divisions that use primary and secondary sources to significantly engage with the history of the state of Rhode Island. Local topics tied to national or international contexts are particularly encouraged.

This award is sponsored by the Rhode Island Historical Society. 

$150 awards in both the Junior and Senior divisions

Sponsored by the Rhode Island Foundation, this prize is awarded to one outstanding entry in any category in both the  Junior and Senior divisions that relies on primary sources from the Rhode Island State Archives to develop a project tied to Rhode Island history.  Special consideration will be given to projects that explore how communication between individuals and their government has changed over time in Rhode Island, and how these changes in communication have led to social change. Selected student(s) will receive a cash prize for their work.

This award is sponsored by the RI Foundation.

$125 awards in both the Junior and Senior divisions

This award is sponsored by the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial Commission, which was established by a joint resolution from the General Assembly to commemorate Rhode Island's role in the founding of the nation in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. This $125 prize is awarded to an outstanding entry in both the Junior (6-8 grade) and Senior (9-12 grade) divisions that explores Rhode Island's role in the American Revolution, founding of the nation, or that explores the ideals of freedom, equality, and independence in Rhode Island. The project should explain why the subject(s)/event(s)/individual(s) is/are important and place it/them in historical context, and if possible, discuss the topic's relevance for today.  Successful projects may use a variety of primary and secondary sources including those available from Rhode Island 250th Partners (available at rhodeisland250.org/our-partners).

This award is sponsored by the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial Commission

$100 award in either the Junior or Senior divisions

Sponsored by the Simmons Center at Brown University, this $100 prize is awarded to an outstanding entry in any category in either the Junior or Senior divisions that uses primary and secondary sources to develop a project that explores racial slavery and its centrality to the formation of the US. A successful project will explore race from the perspective of Black and Indigenous peoples of the Dawnland (New England Region) through a variety of primary and secondary sources by Black and Indigenous peoples, scholars, artists, and authors. The project can also examine how the legacies of enslavement and racism shaped our more recent past and their impact on our contemporary world. 

This award is sponsored by the Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice at Brown University. 

$150 awards in both the Junior and Senior divisions

Sponsored by the Rhode Island Foundation, this prize is awarded to one outstanding entry in any category in both the Junior and Senior divisions that uses primary and secondary sources to develop a project tied to the history of Indigenous Peoples of the Eastern Woodlands, with preference given to projects about Indigenous Peoples of Rhode Island and how they impacted RI history. The project should explain why the subject(s)/event(s) is/are important and place it/them in historical context and if possible, connect to Indigenous people of today.  Successful projects may use a variety of resources including the Tomaquag Museum, its archives, and digital resources, Native authored books and other historical texts. Selected student(s) will receive a cash prize for their work.

This award is sponsored by the RI Foundation.