Essay Contest

JASNA conducts an annual student Essay Contest to encourage the study and appreciation of Jane Austen's works in new generations of readers.

Students world-wide are invited to compete for scholarship awards in three divisions: 

• High School: students and home-schooled students enrolled at the high school level during the contest year

• College/University: students enrolled in at least six credit hours of course work at a junior college, college, or university during the contest year

• Graduate School: students enrolled during the contest year in at least three credit hours of graduate course work at a college or university leading to an advanced degree 

Membership in JASNA is not required to enter the contest.

2026 Contest Topic and Details

Men and Boys in Jane Austen’s Novels

In Austen’s novels, we usually see the world through her heroines’ eyes. For this year's essay topic, we invite you to shift the focus and examine her male characters. Choose two or more from among her heroes, villains, friends, enemies, relatives, comic figures, young boys, etc. Your essay can explore their similarities and/or differences, whether their characters change during the novel, their relations with their siblings, how men tend to treat women, or focus on another area of your choosing. These are only suggestions—you’re welcome to take another approach.

You may also do some research into the Regency era if you like, but please don't submit a research essay. We want to know what you think. Read and re-read. Support your points with pertinent passages from the novel(s) you choose. In short, try to write an interesting essay.

High School Students: Choose two or more characters from one of Austen's novels or from two or more of her books.

Undergraduate Students: Choose characters from at least two novels.

Graduate Students: Choose characters from at least two novels. In addition to the suggestions above, you might also discuss how Austen’s portrayal of men changes (or does it?) from her early works to her last and unfinished. Other topics are also welcome. Write for a general audience, not a scholarly journal.

Collage illustrations by A. Wallis Mills for Jane Austen's novels, 1908-1910

Submissions

The deadline for submissions is June 1, 2026. (We will accept entries up to 3:00 am ET on June 2.)

We will begin accepting entries online in February 2026. In the meantime, it is important that you visit the Submissions page to learn about the contest rules and eligibility requirements before entering.

Essay Contest Awards

JASNA awards scholarships to winners in each of the three divisions: 

• First Place:  $1,000 scholarship, plus free registration and two nights’ lodging for JASNA’s upcoming Annual General Meeting. (Transportation to the conference is not provided.)
• Second Place:  $500 scholarship
• Third Place:  $250 scholarship 

Winners also receive one year of membership in JASNA, publication of their essays on this website, and a set of Norton Critical Editions of Jane Austen's novels.
 

Questions?

Please review the Essay Contest FAQs. If you have any questions, please contact Meg Levin at essay-contest@jasna.org. Use “JASNA Essay Contest” in your subject line.