National Rice Month Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by US Rice Federation

Overview

Description: September is National Rice Month, celebrating a grain grown on family farms across six U.S. states: Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas. The National Rice Month Scholarship Video Contest invites graduating high school students from those states to create an original short video or animation (3 minutes or less) that highlights U.S.-grown rice. The contest seeks entries that educate, entertain, and convey why rice matters locally or globally. Entry offers a chance to win scholarships and public recognition for creative storytelling about rice.

• Open to graduating high school students in six primary rice-growing states.
• Submission format: original video or animation up to 3 minutes.
• Focus: stories about U.S.-grown rice and its importance.

How to Enter

Application Steps: Create an original short video (3 minutes or less) about U.S. rice, National Rice Month, or the role of rice in your community or the world. Upload the video to YouTube or Vimeo (TikTok submissions must be uploaded via Vimeo) and complete the entry form to submit. After uploading, share your video on social media to encourage friends, family, and teachers to view and vote. Entries must be submitted by the posted October due date to be eligible.

1. Create an original short (3 minutes or less) video about U.S. rice or National Rice Month.
2. Upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo; TikTok videos must be uploaded via Vimeo.
3. Complete and submit the entry form by the October due date.
4. Share your video on social media and encourage others to watch and vote.

• Follow the upload and submission steps exactly to ensure eligibility.
• Use YouTube or Vimeo for hosting; TikTok content requires Vimeo upload.
• Promote your entry to increase views and votes.

Eligibility

Eligibility: The contest is open to graduating high school students in the 2026–27 school year who reside in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, or Texas and who have not previously won a National Rice Month Scholarship. Certain exclusions apply: children of board members of the USA Rice Federation and its affiliated organizations, committee members, USA Rice Federation employees, and American Commodity Company (ACC) employees are not eligible. Entries that do not meet eligibility criteria will be disqualified. Applicants should review the full eligibility guidance before submitting.

• Must be a graduating high school student (2026–27) residing in one of six specified states.
• Previous National Rice Month Scholarship winners are ineligible.
• Specific family and employee exclusions apply; verify eligibility before entering.

Scholarship Prizes

Award Value: Three scholarships sponsored by the American Commodity Company (ACC) total $10,000 and will be awarded to the top entrants. The grand-prize winner receives $5,000 and an invitation, with a chaperone, to the USA Rice Outlook Conference. Second place receives $3,000, and third place receives $2,000. Prizes are awarded as scholarships and are subject to verification requirements.

• Total prize pool: $10,000, sponsored by ACC.
• Grand prize: $5,000 plus conference invitation with chaperone.
• Second and third places: $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.

Video Requirements & Important Dates

Application Timeline: Videos must be original, focus on U.S.-grown rice, and be no longer than 3 minutes. Entries must be submitted by the October due date specified in contest materials. Winners will be notified by November 21, 2026. Be sure to follow submission instructions and meet deadlines to ensure your entry is considered.

• Video length: 3 minutes maximum.
• Submission deadline: entries must be received by the October due date.
• Winners notified by November 21, 2026.

Judging Criteria

Criteria: Entries will be evaluated on creativity, production quality, and effectiveness in telling a story about U.S.-grown rice. Judges will assess how well the video educates and engages the audience while communicating the significance of rice. High-quality production and original storytelling that connects personally or culturally will strengthen an entry's chances. Review the judging criteria to align your submission with these priorities.

• Primary factors: creativity, quality, and storytelling effectiveness.
• Clear, engaging narratives and good production value are favored.
• Focus on conveying why U.S. rice is important to you or your community.

Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions: Each entry must include a completed and signed application form; entries will not be returned. By submitting, entrants agree to contest rules and acknowledge that submissions may be used for promotional purposes. Prize awards are subject to verification and compliance with applicable laws and policies. Read all terms carefully before submitting to understand rights, responsibilities, and prize conditions.

1. The USA Rice Federation is not responsible for lost, damaged, or misdirected entries.
2. All entries become the property of the USA Rice Federation, including promotional and advertising rights; entries will not be returned.
3. The USA Rice Federation reserves the right to use entries in any form of promotion it deems appropriate.
4. Entries will be judged by the USA Rice Federation; decisions are final.
5. Substitution or transfer of prizes is not permitted; the contest is void where prohibited by law or company policy.
6. By entering, winners agree that the USA Rice Federation and its members have no liability for injuries, losses, or damages arising from any prize or its use.
7. Proof of enrollment in an accredited college, university, or qualifying trade school or program is required before scholarship funds will be administered directly to the winner’s school.

• Signed application form required; entries become organization property.
• Decisions by the USA Rice Federation are final.
• Prize payouts require proof of enrollment and are subject to verification.