2026 Coast Guard Essay Contest, Funded by Susan Curtin and the Naval Institute

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The US Naval Institute has announced its 2026 Coast Guard Essay Contest.  I am a bit late putting this out, but you have four weeks until the deadline for submission, Tax Day, April 15, 2026.

Here is what they say,

The Challenge

What changes should the U.S. Coast Guard make today to meet the Nation’s maritime security challenges 5, 10, or 20 years in the future? All topics are welcome, and no issue is too big or too small. Authors might consider:

  • Changes to missions and force structure
  • How best to integrate the Coast Guard’s unique authorities and capabilities with the other Sea
    Services
  • Innovative ideas to make the Coast Guard a more capable instrument of national power, including platforms and technologies
  • Barriers to mission execution and how to remove them
  • How to better leverage partnerships at home and abroad

Consider how to make the Coast Guard stronger. This does not mean authors cannot be critical and take on “it’s always been done that way” practices. In fact, we encourage you to push the “dare factor.”

Submission Guidelines

  • Open to all contributors — active-duty, military, reservists, veterans, and civilians.
  • Essays must be no more than 2,500 words, excluding end notes and sources. Include word count on title page of the essay.
  • Essays are judged in the blind. Do not include author name(s) on the title page or within the body of the essay.
  • Submit essay as a Word document at www.usni.org/cgessay no later than 15 April 2026.
  • Essay must be original and not previously published (online or in print) or being considered for publication elsewhere.

First Prize: $5,000

Second Prize: $2,500

Third Prize: $1,500

Selection Process

The Proceedings staff members will evaluate every essay and screen the top essays to a special Essay Selection Committee of at least six members who will include two members of the Naval Institute’s Editorial Board and four subject experts. All essays will be judged in the blind—i.e., the Proceedings staff members and judges will not know the authors of the essays. Since we receive so many submissions (more than 100 per month!), notification of acceptance on one of our platforms can take 4-6 months. We will notify you via email if your essay is selected for a prize or for publication.

Announcement of the Winners

Winners will be published in the August 2026 Proceedings.

Deadline:

1 thought on “2026 Coast Guard Essay Contest, Funded by Susan Curtin and the Naval Institute”

  1. When I consider the USCG and their growing missions particularly in the Greater Ocean Environment . . . I recall some lessons of HiStory:

    1.  Young warriors study ‘Tactics’ . . . and old warriors study ‘Logistics’.  USCG logistical support and facilities across the board require much work particularly in the Arctic above the Arctic Circle, and in Greater Oceania. 
    2. What does USCG vessels look like when mobilized and support USN operations?
    3. Bravo on the new boot camp at Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) in Birmingham, Alabama
    4. Coast Guard Cities must grow in number and capabilities to support note #1.  

    Just my 2¢.

    TORCH OUT

    Reply ↓

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