Free courses. One video. $15,000 in scholarships. Closes Sep 30.

Master the ideas

that built freedom

then make your case on video.

Take any 5 of our 8 free courses, about an hour each, then submit one 2–3 minute video.

Submit your video Start your first free course
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Free forever
Beginner friendly
Under 1 hour each
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Eight ideas worth talking about

01PROGRESSHuman ProgressStart learning → 02JUSTICECriminal Justice ReformStart learning → 03EDUCATIONK–12 EducationStart learning → 04TRADEGlobalizationStart learning → 05POLICYImmigrationStart learning → 06ECONOMICSCapitalismStart learning → 07BUDGETFiscal PolicyStart learning → 08LIBERTYFree Speech in the Digital AgeStart learning →
How it's judged

How videos are scored

A first panel of judges scores every qualified entry against the four criteria below. Look at the weighting: how well you argue counts four times as much as how well you film.

Who can enter

Ages 16–25 Living in the US

Open to residents of the 50 US states and Washington, DC. Entrants under 18 need a parent or guardian’s permission. Full terms are in the Official Rules.

Persuasiveness and clarity of argument How clearly and convincingly you make your case.
40 points
Command of the ideas Accurate, thoughtful engagement with the concept from your Cato course.
30 points
Creativity and originality A fresh, original take that holds the viewer’s attention.
20 points
Production and delivery Clear audio and visuals within the two-to-three-minute limit.
10 points
100 points

Entries scoring 95 or above advance to a second panel of judges, who choose the five winners.

Start your first free course Free, about an hour, no credit card.

Submit your application

Applications close in
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Deadline: September 30, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET. Start completing your courses now. You will need 5 to be eligible.
Scholarship prizes

What you can win

$15,000 in scholarships, awarded to the five highest-scoring videos.

Top prize
$10,000
First place
One scholarship
$2,000
Second place
One scholarship
$1,000
Third–fifth place
Three scholarships, one each

Scholarships are paid by check within three weeks of a winner being selected and are intended to support education-related expenses. See the Official Rules for full details.

Frequently asked questions

Short answers drawn from the Official Rules. For the complete terms, read the full Official Rules.

Be between ages 16-25 living in the US. Complete all requested information on the entry form and submit an original persuasive video that is two to three minutes long (2:00–3:00).

An original video is one that is filmed and edited by you and presents a persuasive argument about an idea from Cato Courses or libertarianism more generally. The video should reflect your own thinking, creativity, and point of view. You may use outside materials, such as images, music, or short clips, only if you (and we) have the right to use them (i.e., they are subject to a share-alike Creative Commons license or are in the public domain) and they support your original presentation. No person but you (if you so choose) should be included in the video. Videos that are primarily copied, AI-generated, or assembled from someone else’s content do not count as original. Please consult the Official Rules for more detail on what meets the requirements for originality.

An originally created, persuasive video that discusses a concept from a Cato course or makes a case for libertarianism.

One entry per individual.

Qualified entries are scored by a first panel against the criteria stated above. Persuasiveness and Clarity of Argument (40 points), Command of the Ideas (30 points), Creativity and Originality (20 points), and Production and Delivery (10 points). Entries scoring 95 or more points advance as finalists to a second panel, whose scores determine the winners. Ties are resolved using the tie-breaking procedures in the Official Rules.

After judging, the five highest-scoring entrants are notified as Potential Winners using the contact information on their submission form. They must complete and return an affidavit and related documents (including a Social Security number for tax reporting) along with a publicity and liability release.

They may be, depending on your jurisdiction. Winners (and their parents or guardians, for minors) are solely responsible for any applicable taxes. Cato can't provide tax advice, so consult your own adviser.

You grant Cato the right to use your entry, video, name, likeness, voice, and biographical information for publicity, promotional, and related purposes, worldwide and without further compensation. Cato will credit you as the creator of your video. See the Official Rules for the full grant of rights.

Explore Cato Courses

Dive into key topics shaping the world today, built to make classical liberal
ideas engaging and relevant.

Hands holding out under a stream of water from a faucet, washing them.

Human Progress

Explore the remarkable pace of the world’s progress and the key drivers of success.

Start Learning
The Statue of Liberty with an American flag flying on a flagpole nearby, against a blue sky with a few clouds, and trees in the foreground.

Immigration

Learn how immigrants have long advanced America’s freedom and prosperity.

Start Learning
Close-up of a metallic Lady Justice statue with a blindfold, holding a sword in one hand and scales in the other, in a blurred background of legal books

Criminal Justice Reform

Journey through the evolution of the criminal justice system and how to create a more just society.

Start Learning
A man standing in front of a digital collage of diverse people, including children and adults, smiling and engaging in various activities.

Globalization

Dive into the extraordinary pace of global progress propelling human advancement worldwide.

Start Learning
A woman and four children holding hands walk toward a school building on a sunny day, surrounded by trees with autumn foliage.

K–12 Education

Examine the current state of education and innovative solutions.

Start Learning
A US hundred-dollar bill partially covered by a blue American flag with white stars.

Fiscal Policy

Understand US fiscal policy and why debt, taxes, and spending shape economic growth.

Start Learning
Woman stands on a rock with a backpack, holding a megaphone, facing a digital world with city skyline and floating social media icons at sunset.

Free Speech in the Digital Age

Explore the challenges and opportunities of expression in a connected world.

Start Learning
An illustration of a historical banknote featuring a profile of a man with curly hair. The background shows a silhouette of a city skyline with prominent buildings, including Big Ben, in orange and yellow tones.

Capitalism

Discover the system that has lifted billions out of poverty and expanded individual freedom.

Start Learning