Free Market Essay Contest

KSU's Bagwell Center for the Study of Markets and Economic Opportunity and the are now accepting submissions for the second annual Free Market Essay Contest. This year's topic examines approaches to balancing the federal budget.

Prompt 

Many people feel that the federal government should have a balanced budget.  To do so, should the government increase taxes or reduce spending?  , President of Americans for Tax Reform, asks political candidates to sign the , promising to oppose all net tax increases.  If you were a candidate, would you sign the Pledge?  Why or why not?

Entry criteria

  1. Must be enrolled as a KSU undergraduate student.
  2. Essays must be 1000-1200 words.
  3. Submissions must be through the form below on this page.
  4. Submissions must be the author鈥檚 own work. Any elements derived from other published sources or the work of other writers must be acknowledged. Copyright infringement, plagiarism, and failure to provide adequate attribution will not be tolerated.
  5. All content submitted to FEE must be your original work and not previously published elsewhere. Do not submit AI-generated content in whole or part. 

Prizes

First Place Prize: $500 and an invitation to join FEE's Spirit of Liberty Summer Campus, University of Maryland, College Park, July 20-24, 2026.

Second Place Prize: $250 and an invitation to join FEE's Spirit of Liberty Summer Campus, University of Maryland, College Park, July 20-24, 2026.

Prize winners must be available to attend the Bagwell Center's Annual Dinner in Johns Creek, GA on March 27th, 2026.

Winning essays may be published on .

Additional Submission criteria based on 


The deadline to submit your essay is February 27, 2026.

The application for the KSU/FEE Essay Contest is now closed.