Voice for Animals High School Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Humane Education Network
Supported by a collaboration between the Animal Welfare Institute and the Humane Education Network, with additional assistance from the Palo Alto Humane Society, the A Voice for Animals contest is accepting entries for its 35th Annual competition.
Before you begin your entry, carefully review the Official Rules and Advice for Participants. All entries must be submitted online via the entry form while the contest is open. Note: we reserve the right to change the number of awards and individual prize amounts depending on the volume and quality of submissions.
Who may enter
- The contest is open to students currently enrolled in middle or high school, or to home-schooled students, provided they are under 19 years old on March 1, 2025 (the contest opening date). No exceptions.
- Students from any country may participate; eligibility is not limited by nationality, citizenship, or country of residence.
- ESL (English as a Second Language) students are welcome to enter.
- Read all rules and participant guidance before preparing your submission.
Categories and the 2025 Special Topic
Entrants may submit work in one of these standard topic areas:
- Companion Animals
- Farm Animals
- Wildlife on Land
- Wildlife in the Oceans
For 2025 there is an additional optional theme available across all age groups and submission types: Protecting Marine Life from Human Impact.
Protecting Marine Life from Human Impact — topic guidance
Many marine animals are threatened by human-driven problems such as pollution, overfishing, entanglement in fishing gear, collisions with ships, and habitat loss. Select a marine species affected by these pressures—local or global—and consider addressing questions such as:
- Which human activities are harming this species?
- Are there laws or regulations in place to protect it? Have new policies been proposed?
- Could technical innovations reduce impacts on the species?
- What interventions have been tried, and how successful were they?
- Have protections been weakened or revoked, and with what consequences?
- If no action is taken, how might the species fare in the future?
- What actions can individuals, including students, take to help and to advocate for change?
Your entry may emphasize policy solutions, scientific or technological advances, or a mixture of both. Support assertions with research and real examples. Make sure your submission complies with the rules for the entry type you choose (essay, photo essay, or video).
Essay entries — general points for all ages
- All essays must be uploaded using the online entry form during the open-entry period. Submissions sent by e-mail, postal mail, or any other method will not be accepted.
- Essays must be the original work of the entrant(s).
- Clearly identify the animal issue you are addressing and explain why you chose it.
- Provide accurate citations for any quoted or referenced material.
- Include a bibliography in either APA or MLA format (use whichever you prefer). For formatting help, consult Purdue OWL or similar style guides.
Rules specific to the 14–15 year-old essay section
Purpose: Write an essay that addresses either the mistreatment of a single animal species or a single cause of animal suffering, and propose ways to raise awareness and protect that species. Essays must be entered under one of the categories listed above or the 2025 special topic.
Formatting and technical requirements:
- Word count must be between 1,400 and 1,500 words (exclude citations, headers, and footers). Essays outside this range will be disqualified.
- Language: English.
- Place your name and the essay title at the top of every page. Do not include any contact details (email address, phone number, etc.) within the essay itself.
- Number all pages and double-space the text.
- Use a readable font such as 12-point Times New Roman.
- Save and submit your essay as a PDF file only. File size must be under 2 MB.
- If you need help creating a PDF, follow available online instructions before submission.
Rules specific to the 16–18 year-old essay section
Purpose: Write an essay that examines either the mistreatment of a specific animal species, a single cause of animal suffering, or the conservation of an endangered species anywhere in the world, and propose solutions to reduce suffering. Choose one of the standard categories or the 2025 special topic when submitting.
Formatting and technical requirements: same as for 14–15 year-olds
- 1,400–1,500 words (excluding citations, headers, footers)
- English language
- Bibliography in APA or MLA format
- Name and title at top of each page; no contact information in the essay
- Pages numbered; double-spaced; readable 12-point font (e.g., Times New Roman)
- PDF only; file under 2 MB
Video entries — 16–18 year-old section only
Entrants aged 16–18 may submit one video that either documents a project in which they have been actively involved for at least two months or provides an educational, inspirational piece for peers. The video should address one of these focuses: mistreatment of a species, a cause of animal suffering, or conservation of an endangered species. Select one of the standard categories or the 2025 special topic when submitting.
Content and citation expectations
- Clearly state which animal issue you are addressing and explain why it matters.
- Cite any quoted or referenced material used in the video.
Project videos
- The project must have been active for a minimum of two months and must demonstrate a direct or indirect impact on animals.
- Your video should document the project, describe your role, and, where possible, demonstrate how the work reduces animal suffering.
- Examples of eligible projects include active participation in an awareness organization, developing an alternative to a harmful practice, or organizing a group or activity to address animal suffering.
- If you formed a group, show how many participants were involved and provide evidence of the group’s activity and accomplishments.
- Provide contact information for an adult or other verifier who can confirm the project’s originality and duration.
- Group projects: up to four students may collaborate on a single project. Only one student should submit the entry form; the names of other group members must appear on the project submission itself.
Educational videos
- Include clear learning objectives that state what viewers should understand after watching.
- Provide a concrete call to action describing what the audience can do to help alleviate animal suffering.
- Use supporting visuals—images, animations, or infographics—to reinforce key points.
Reminder: All entries must be uploaded via the online entry form during the contest’s open period. Review the Official Rules and Advice for Participants fully before preparing and submitting your work.