Competition · In person

National History Day 2027 — US Senior Division route

National History Day · United States

Open applicationTravel needs confirmationApplications upcomingNeeds confirmation

Research Innovation in History and present a paper, exhibit, documentary, performance or website to contest judges.

Cost: Fees not confirmed; Fees not confirmed
Duration: Dates agreed individually
Grade: Grades 9–12; Not published
Format: In person; United States

Deadline

Deadline not published

Cost: Fees not confirmed
Program dates: Dates agreed individually
Format: In person
Who registers: Needs confirmation

View application instructions

What you’ll need

One original current-year historical project linked to 2027 Innovation in History theme
Correct US affiliate/division; group 2–5 or individual, paper individual only
Title page, process paper≤500 words, annotated primary/secondary bibliography in Chicago or MLA
Paper 1,500–2,500 words; performance/documentary≤10 min
Exhibit≤500 student words, 40×30×72 in or circular/all-sides≤30 in; embedded media≤2 min
Website only NHDWebCentral, ≤1,200 student words/100 MB/3 min media; required papers integrated as PDF
Student research/design with permitted guidance only; credit sources, no reused topic/research or plagiarism
Meet all local entry/material deadlines; bring equipment; individuals attend nationals if selected

Last verified Oct 15, 2026

Overview

National History Day’s 2027 theme is Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change. Choose a focused historical topic, develop an argument from primary/secondary sources and explain its context/significance. The US-school/local-affiliate route progresses from school or regional to affiliate competitions; each affiliate may advance two entries per category/division to the June 13–17, 2027 national contest at the University of Maryland, College Park. Enter one category: paper individually, or exhibit/documentary/performance/website individually or in a group of 2–5. All group members research and interpret; membership cannot be added/replaced after first beyond-school competition, and category/topic cannot change. Judging is 80% historical quality and 20% presentation. The currently governing rule book remains the June 22, 2020 edition as expressly confirmed by the live rules page.

Official website

Subject

HumanitiesArtsHistoryResearch projectSchool competition

Overview

Subject

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