National Literary Competition
The National Literary Competition is a writing and American Sign Language (ASL) competition open to all deaf and hard of hearing students in grades 2-12 in the United States and Canada. To participate, students must create original written or ASL submissions in accordance with the year’s theme. The purpose of the competition is to give deaf and hard of hearing students the opportunity to showcase their abilities, as well as instill pride and ownership in their work.
Top contestants in each category will win prize money! Additionally, two grand prize winners will receive a prize bundle of:
- $250 gift certificate
- A Gallaudet University sweatshirt
And your choice of:
- Free registration and trip to one of Gallaudet University’s Summer Youth Camps
Or
- $1,000 scholarship to Gallaudet University
ASL Competition
The ASL competition is broken down into four divisions:
- Elementary (2nd- 5th grades)
- Middle School (6th-8th grades)
- High School (9th-12th grades)
- *Deaf Plus (2nd-12th grades)
ASL Categories
Theme: “You’re granted one superpower for 24 hours—how do you use it?”
- Handshapes
- Storytelling
*The term “Deaf Plus” is used here as a general grouping for students with additional learning disabilities and/or who are on an alternative track in school.
Writing Competition
The Writing competition is broken down into two divisions:
- Middle School (6th-8th grades)
- High School (9th-12th grades)
Writing Categories
Theme: “Something small you did ends up having a huge impact…”
- Creative Writing
- Poetry
- Submit Your Creation
Eligibility
The 2025-2026 NLC Submission period is on December 1, 2025 – January 10, 2026.
- For the ASL competition, contestants must be deaf or hard of hearing, and currently enrolled in the 2nd through 12th grades.
- For the Writing competition, contestants must be deaf or hard of hearing and currently enrolled in the 6th through 12th grades.
- Additionally, all students must register under the school that they are currently enrolled in.
Resources
For NLC flyer to distribute to students or post up in hallways, download here.
- Prizes
- Grand Prize
$250 gift certificate
Gallaudet University sweatshirt
And your choice of:
Free registration and trip to one of Gallaudet University’s summer camps
Or
$1,000 scholarship to Gallaudet University
- 1st Place
$100 gift certificate
Gallaudet University sweatshirt
A waived fee for one of Gallaudet University’s summer camps (for Middle School and High School only)
- Honorable Mention
Recognized on Gallaudet University Youth Programs’ YouTube page and/or website.
- FAQs
You got this. We look forward to seeing your work!
Submissions and registration are done entirely online. The link to register/submit for the NLC competition is available on this page. Students compete as individuals, and there are no teams in this competition.
You can submit one entry in each genre (there are 2 for ASL and 2 for Writing) of each category (ASL and Writing).
You can register as an individual with your parents’ help OR you can register with the assistance of a teacher/ASL specialist at your school.
No. There are no expenses for participants. The competition is free!
- Contact Us
Contact Us
- Youth Programs
- Edward Miner Gallaudet Memorial Building | #112 & #111
- click to show email
- (202) 651-2474
Why Gallaudet?
Gallaudet University, the world’s only four-year liberal arts university serving deaf and hard-of-hearing students, serves as the educational, social, and political engine of Deaf America. The duty of the university to foster disagreement, debate, and civic engagement is embedded in its role as a higher education institution.
