GRHS Scholarship Essay Contest

Scholarship Sponsored by Germans from Russia Heritage Society

Theme: Giant Steppes Toward Freedom

Overview
The Germans from Russia Heritage Society (GRHS), based in Bismarck, North Dakota, is sponsoring an international essay contest to promote student learning about the history, culture and heritage of Germans who emigrated from Germany to Russia in the 18th and 19th centuries — today commonly referred to as Germans from Russia in the Americas and elsewhere. The contest closes on 31 March; judging will begin after that date and winners will be announced when scoring is complete. Award recipients will be invited to a recognition luncheon held during the 55th Annual GRHS Convention in July 2026 in Fargo, North Dakota.

Eligibility
- The contest is open to students who meet the eligibility rules for one of the categories below.
- Entrants may be enrolled in public, private, parochial, or home schools, or be full-time undergraduate students at accredited colleges or universities.
- Submissions must be the entrant’s original work and must focus directly on German‑Russian history, culture, or heritage.
- Use of AI-generated text or any form of plagiarism will result in disqualification.
- Previously judged submissions are not eligible for re-entry.

Categories (international winners selected in each)
I. Middle School — grades 6–8
II. High School — grades 9–12
III. High School Senior — the top-scoring senior receives the Gwen Pritzkau Scholarship
IV. College/University Undergraduate — for full-time, degree-seeking undergraduates (two scholarships will be awarded)

Suggested Topics
Essays may address any aspect of German‑Russian heritage, for example:
- Cultural anthropology and traditions of Germans from Russia
- Historical causes and consequences of the German‑Russian diaspora
- German‑Russian communities and history in North America (U.S. and Canada)
- German‑Russian experiences in Russia and the Soviet Union, including loss of Soviet citizenship, and labor camp experiences (including those in England and France after WWII)
- Family or genealogical histories insofar as they illuminate German‑Russian history and culture

Acceptable Formats
Submissions may take several forms; all will be judged by the same standards:
- Research papers (analytical or persuasive)
- Creative writing that demonstrates historical understanding (short stories, fictional diaries, plays, historical fiction, descriptive prose)
- Genealogical/family histories documenting ancestors and family experience
- Digital media (PowerPoint, short film, website, etc.) — note these entries are evaluated using the same judging criteria as written entries

Formatting and Entry Requirements
General
- All entries must include the Official GRHS Essay Contest Entry Form.
- The contestant’s name should appear only on the entry form; it must not be printed on the essay or project itself to preserve anonymity.
- Entries should be typed, double-spaced, and printed on one side of the paper only (when applicable).

Middle School
- Typed, double-spaced, single-sided print.
- Include the Official GRHS Essay Contest Entry Form.
- The student’s name must be on the entry form only, not on the submission.

High School
- Typed, double-spaced, single-sided print.
- Maximum length: 5 pages (not counting cover sheet(s) or Works Cited/Bibliography).
- Research papers must include footnotes or be cited using MLA or APA format. Creative pieces must include a bibliography showing sources consulted.
- Include the Official GRHS Essay Contest Entry Form.
- The student’s name must be on the entry form only.

College/University Undergraduate
- Typed, double-spaced, single-sided print.
- Maximum length: 5 pages (not counting cover sheet(s) or Works Cited/Bibliography).
- Research papers must include footnotes or use MLA or APA citation; if another citation style is used, identify it at the top of the Works Cited page. Creative works must include a bibliography of sources consulted.
- Include the Official GRHS Essay Contest Entry Form.
- The student’s name must be on the entry form only.

Research Resources
- Your local public library’s reference, genealogy and history collections may have books, periodicals and donated materials from GRHS chapters or genealogical societies. Contact the information desk for assistance.
- Family members — especially older relatives — can be valuable sources of oral history and family records.
- Helpful online resources:
- Germans from Russia Heritage Society: www.grhs.org
- Germans from Russia Heritage Collection: http://www.lib.ndsu.nodak.edu/grhc

Judging
- Entries are evaluated anonymously by a panel of judges who complete scoring sheets; totals determine the winners.
- Judging emphasizes the quality of research and the writing or presentation style. A significant portion of the scoring focuses on how well the entry addresses German‑Russian history and heritage.
- Criteria include historical accuracy, clarity, originality of thought, creativity, and overall style. All formats must demonstrate evidence of careful research into German‑Russian history and culture.

Publication
With the author’s permission, winning essays may be published in the GRHS Heritage Review and/or posted on the GRHS website.

Awards
- Middle School: 1st Place — Trophy and $150; 2nd Place — Runner-Up Trophy and $100.
- High School: 1st Place — Trophy and $150; 2nd Place — Runner-Up Trophy and $100.
- High School Senior Scholarship: Trophy and the Gwen Pritzkau Scholarship of $1,000 (funded by the Heritage Foundation for Germans from Russia), awarded to the highest-scoring high school senior.
- College/University: Trophy and the Vera Hoff Scholarship of $1,000 will be given to the top-scoring university entry.

Questions
For additional information, contact the Germans from Russia Heritage Society through their website or consult your local GRHS chapter.