Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes in USA: Scholarship of $10,000
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, sponsored by the nonprofit organization Young Heroes Project, honors inspirational, civic-minded young people from all throughout North America. The Barron Prize, established in 2001 by author T.A. Barron, recognizes 25 outstanding young leaders between the ages of 8 and 18 who have had a major beneficial influence on people, communities, and the environment.
The Barron Prize has granted more than half a million dollars to hundreds of young leaders since its establishment, and has received backing from groups such as the National Geographic Education Foundation, Girl Scouts of the USA, and the National Youth Leadership Council, among others.
The Barron Prize welcomes applications from public-spirited young people who are, on our April 15 deadline:
The Barron Prize does not discriminate against its applicants based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
Citizen or permanent resident of USA or Canada
You may download a sample application to use in planning and organizing your application. Remember, applications are accepted online ONLY. Applications sent via mail or by any method other than our online system will be deemed ineligible.
Our judges use the following criteria in choosing winners:
1. Winners must have organized and led an extraordinary service activity which has clearly benefited other people or the planet we share.
• The service activity must have been initiated and motivated primarily by the winner himself or herself.
• The service activity cannot have been done solely to complete an assignment for school or work.
2. Winners must have:
• demonstrated positive spirit, courage, intelligence, generosity, and high moral purpose.
• shown initiative, tenacity, and unselfishness in pursuit of their goals.
• accomplished something with inspirational value—something that could inspire others to make a difference.
• done more than survive a difficult personal challenge.
Each of the $10,000 Award Winners will get $10,000 to go towards their further education or community activity.
Gifts of Appreciation:
Each winner is presented with a lovely customized plaque as well as a certificate of honor.
Materials for Young Heroes:
Each winner will get an autographed copy of T.A. Barron's The Hero's Trail, as well as a copy of Dream Big, our documentary film on previous Barron Prize winners. Our Young Heroes Activity Guide and Bibliography are also given to the winners.
Opportunities for Networking:
Our Young Heroes online community provides winners with the chance to engage with other Barron Prize recipients.