National Contest
The National Contest is the culmination of the annual competition cycle and a celebration of student scholarship. After spending months on project research and preparation, and successfully competing at local and affiliate contests, student scholars are invited to share their work at the National Contest.
Each year nearly 3,000 students with their families and teachers gather at the University of Maryland, College Park for the week-long National Contest. They come from all fifty United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Department of Defense Schools in the Atlantic, and international schools in China, Korea, and elsewhere (NHD International). The excitement can be felt across the campus.
The 2023 National Contest
June 11–15, 2023, University of Maryland, College Park
The NHD National Contest kicks off with a Welcome Ceremony to greet students and celebrate their hard work. Students then compete over several days in preliminary and final rounds.
The Awards Ceremony on the final day opens with a Parade of Affiliates, where students from every affiliate march and show off their local pride, much like during the Olympics.
Beyond the NHD National Contest, students can check out Washington, D.C. by participating in our NHD-Explore program. There are many options, including museums and other historical sites, where students can learn about new topics for the upcoming year’s theme.
What to Expect at the National Contest
The National History Day Contest will take place June 11- 15, 2023, at the University of Maryland, College Park, just 12 miles from Washington, D.C. National History Day’s contest headquarters is located in the Stamp Student Union, 3972 Campus Drive College Park, MD 20742.
Student Check In
Contest check-in takes place on Sunday, June 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Stamp Student Union, Colony Ballroom. Information about schedules, judging times/locations, and campus logistics will be available when you check-in. To avoid unnecessary hauling of exhibits or props around the building, DO NOT UNLOAD UNTIL AFTER YOU HAVE CHECKED IN. The Union Lane Garage, across from the Stamp Student Union, will offer free temporary parking on Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11. There is also free long term parking in Lots 1 and Z, West of Stamp Student Union, on Saturday and Sunday.
Late arrivals for the Junior Division can check in from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. on Monday, June 12. Senior Division students can check in from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Monday and 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. Every student (including each member of a group entry) must check in at registration and pick up their registration packet.
If you mailed anything to the Stamp Student Union, it will be in the Prince George’s Room in the Stamp Student Union. If the item you mailed was oversized, it will be at Central Receiving. Please review this document for information on how to collect items from Central Receiving.
Teacher Check In
Teachers may check in at the contest during the same time as student check-in. Look for the signage for Teacher Check In. It is separate from student check in.
Housing Check In
During the contest, housing check-in at Stamp Student Union will be available Saturday from 2:00–8:00 p.m., Sunday from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. On Monday, housing check-in moves to the alcove outside of the Prince George’s Room in Stamp Student Union from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. You will receive your room assignment and meal card at this time. Please note: On-site NHD Registration and Housing Check-In are separate processes. Please follow the signs to the appropriate area.
Late Housing Check In:
If you arrive on campus after 8:00 p.m., you must go to LaPlata Hall to receive your room assignment and meal card. The telephone number for the LaPlata Hall desk is 301-314-5275. The address is 4121 Farm Drive, College Park, MD 20742.
Parking and Shuttles
On-Campus Parking
For information on parking at the University of Maryland, College Park, please review this document. This document includes all of the important parking information and the link to purchase parking permits.
Parking FAQs
1) Do I need to buy an NHD permit if I have a state issued ADA?
- Yes. For parking on campus with a state issued ADA Handicap permit you do still need to purchase an NHD guest parking pass.
- Permits are sold here: https://umd.aceparking.com
- With the display of both your purchased NHD permit and your ADA placard or plate, you may park in ANY non-gated parking lot on campus including both marked ADA spaces and regular parking space.
- Please make sure not to park in specific restricted spaces such as “State Vehicle Only”, “Electric Car Only”, ect.
- You may park at campus meters and paystation spaces with the display of both permits (NHD prepay + state ADA)
- Please be sure to print your parking permit and display it on your dash in addition to your ADA hangtag (or plate)
2) Where are ADA marked accessible parking spaces located?
- There are various ADA parking locations next to nearly all buildings on campus.
- Here is our interactive map. https://maps.umd.edu/map/ You can zoom in and out for details.
- ADA spaces are indicated by the traditional blue highlight.
3) For Thursday’s Closing Ceremony in Xfinity Center, where is the best place to park with an ADA permit?
- For Thursday’s closing ceremony at the Xfinity Center, go to the Terrapin Trail Garage (also known as lot 6).
- Level 2 of the Terrapin Trail Garage (TTG) has many ADA spaces available and goes directly into Xfinity center at the concourse seating level.
- The closing ceremony parking permits sold on the website at https://umd.aceparking.com are valid in the Terrapin Trail Garage (lot 6) as well as lot 4b.
General ADA parking Info page: https://transportation.umd.edu/parking/accessible-parking
Again, you may park in any non-gated campus parking lot with a display of both your NHD prepay permit + State ADA hangtag or plate.
Third-Party Shuttle Drop-Off/Pick-Up
Use Lot Q. GPS Address: 4136 Stadium Dr., College Park, MD 20742
Additional Parking Options
Please review this document for off-campus parking options.
Shuttles
There are free National History Day shuttles to take you to various locations around the University of Maryland, College Park campus, College Park, and the College Park Metro Station. Please review this document for the various shuttle routes and schedules.
Preparing for Judging
You will receive your judging time/location when you check in. For specific submission and preparation instructions, please review this document.
If you are in the Junior Division (grades 6–8), you will be judged on Monday, June 12, 2023 between 10 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If you are in the Senior Division (grades 9–12), you will be judged on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 between 10 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Documentary and Performance categories are the only categories where students need to be present for the finals round of judging.
For the Junior Division, documentary and performance finalists will be announced Monday evening. Junior Division finals judging will take place on Tuesday evening between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. For the Senior Division, documentary and performance finalists will be announced Tuesday evening. Senior Division finals judging will take place on Wednesday morning between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Exhibit, Paper, and Website categories will not be notified if their project advanced to finals, therefore, they do not need to be present for the finals round.
On-Campus Housing and Hotels
If you would still like to purchase on-campus housing, you may do so. Please log back into your registration account, go to the Store tab, and add any additional housing packages/items. Then, check-out and pay. Please see the plans and rates below, as well as the hotel options.
If you purchase any of the packages, you can request boxed lunches (sandwich, chips, a piece of fruit, cookies, and bottled water). Requests will be accepted beginning Wednesday, May 31 by the following deadlines:
● For meals Sunday (6/11) and Monday (6/12) the deadline is Wednesday, June 8.
● For meals Tuesday (6/13) the deadline is Friday, June 9.
● For meals Wednesday (6/14) the deadline is Sunday, June 11.
Please request lunches here beginning Wednesday, May 31: www.summerinfo.umd.edu/nhd. Boxed breakfasts and/or lunches for Wednesday, June 14, will be available for pick up at 6:45 AM on Wednesday at Yahentamitsi Dining Hall. Please make sure you allow enough time to pick up your meal(s) before you meet your bus for departure (if applicable).
If you are part of a group with meal plans, one member can request lunches for everyone in the group (if necessary).
Please note: The following hotels room blocks are full and rooms cannot be added to the blocks – The Hotel, UMUC Marriott, Home 2 Suites by Hilton, Best Western Plus.
Student/Chaperone Code of Conduct
Registration
Students
Registration for the NHD National Contest closed on Tuesday, May 16 at 11:59 p.m.
Registrants who do not complete payment before the 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 16 deadline will face a $50 Late Fee. The late fee will increase to $60 on Thursday, May 18. If payment is not completed by Friday, May 19, the late fee will increase to $75. If you need to complete your payment after the May 16 deadline, you must contact the NHD National Office.
Teachers
Teachers attending the contest will need to register and pay the $60 teacher registration fee. If you are not planning to attend the contest, please still register, but you do not need to pay the teacher registration fee. Teachers who register and pay the fee will receive access to the latest NHD digital resources, entrance to the Monday night Teacher Social, and access to the Tuesday teacher workshops. In addition, they will receive access to contest week activities, including Day on the Hill, showcases at the Smithsonian Institute or White House Historical Association, NHD Explore passes, and participation in any other teacher activities at the National Contest.
Learn more about the the teacher workshops below and sign-up through National Contest registration.
Travel and Shipping to the University of Maryland, College Park
For additional travel and campus information, visit the UMD Conference and Visitor services website.
Air Travel
Tip: When searching for a flight online, you can enter WAS for the airport code to search all three airports simultaneously.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport — BWI
BWI typically has the least expensive flight options. It is about a 30-minute drive (28.4 miles) from the University of Maryland, College Park. Public Transportation from BWI to College Park, MD: There is no longer a direct bus option between BWI and College Park. There is a MARC and Amtrak Station located at BWI. As there are frequent changes, construction, etc., please refer to their websites or Google Maps for the latest travel information.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport — DCA
Reagan is the closest airport option. It is about a 30-minute drive (17.8 miles) from the University of Maryland, College Park. Public Transportation from DCA to College Park, MD: The Washington Metro (subway system) stops at DCA, and you can take it to College Park. To do this, take the Yellow Line toward Mount Vernon Square. You can transfer to the Green Line at the Mt Vernon Sq 7th St-Convention Center stop. Take the Green Line toward Greenbelt and exit at College Park-UMD. The campus is located 1.5 miles from the station. Once you arrive at the College Park Metro station, there will be UMD shuttles to take you from the station to various places on campus. The shuttle routes will be posted at nhd.org/national-contest and the NHD app. The website for Washington’s Metrorail system has system maps and schedules. As there are frequent changes, construction, etc., please refer to their website or Google Maps for the latest travel information. You can get a plastic SmarTrip card at any station or download the app and preload a digital SmarTrip card. You can find the details on both options here.
Dulles International Airport — IAD
Dulles is the furthest airport option. It is about a 1-hour drive (37.4 miles) from the University of Maryland, College Park. Public Transportation from IAD to College Park, MD: The Washington Metro (subway) stops at IAD. Board the Silver Line toward Largo Town Center. Then transfer to the Green Line at L’Enfant Plaza. Take the Green Line toward Greenbelt. Exit at College Park-UMD. The campus is located 1.5 miles from the Metrorail station. The website for Washington’s Metrorail system has system maps and schedules. As there are frequent changes, construction, etc., please refer to their website or Google Maps for the latest travel information. SmarTrip is the ticketing system for Metro. You can get a plastic SmarTrip card at any station or download the app and preload a digital SmarTrip card. You can find the details on both options here.
Train Travel
Amtrak
Amtrak serves the D.C. area. Visit Amtrak’s website. The closest station to the University is New Carrollton, where you will need to take a taxi or ride the Metro to the campus. At the New Carrollton Station, board the Metro and ride the Orange Line toward Vienna. Transfer to the Green Line at L’Enfant Plaza. Take the Green Line toward Greenbelt. Exit the Metro at College Park-UMD. The campus is located 1.5 miles from the Metrorail station. Alternatively, you may arrive at Union Station in downtown Washington, D.C., but a taxi would cost more from there. You could take the Metro (see below) from Union Station to College Park-UMD.
Metro/Metrorail
Washington’s Metrorail system website has maps and schedules. As there are frequent changes, construction, etc., please refer to their website or Google Maps for the latest travel information. SmarTrip is the ticketing system for Metro. You can get a plastic SmarTrip card at any station or download the app and preload a digital SmarTrip card. You can find the details on both options here. First time using Metro? Check out this helpful article.
Driving
All campus locations have a physical address that can conveniently guide you via any GPS-enabled device. We recommend you use the address for the Adele H. Stamp Student Union: 3972 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20742. Due to campus construction, there will be many on-campus road closures. Please review this document to view the detours and road closures.
Parking
For information on parking at the University of Maryland, College Park, please review this document. This document includes all of the important parking information and the link to purchase parking permits.
Shipping
To ship items to the University of Maryland, College Park, please follow these instructions.
Map
Check out this map of the University of Maryland, College Park to familiarize yourself with the important locations around campus. You can also find an interactive campus map here.
Contact NHD (Before Contest Week)
- For general registration and contest questions, please email registration@nhd.org or call the National History Day office at 301-314-9739.
- For technical support issues, please email IT@nhd.org.
- For questions regarding housing and meals, please email NHDhousing@umd.edu or call 301-314-6637.
- For questions regarding payment, please email lorena@nhd.org.
- For press and media inquires, please email communications@nhd.org.
Contact NHD (During Contest Week)
National History Day’s office will be closed during the week of the contest. Do not use the NHD office number for emergencies during the contest. Any questions during the contest should be directed to National History Day staff, who will be stationed in the Stamp Student Union. The main number to the Stamp Student Union is 301-314-3375. Please note: University staff at the Stamp Student Union can provide general campus and building information, but not specific competition information. If you need to reach the NHD staff in an emergency, please call 301-314-0340.
National Contest FAQs
What if I cannot attend the National Contest?
Please contact your affiliate coordinator ASAP. You can find their contact information here: nhd.org/affiliates. There will not be any virtual judging components. All judging will take place in-person.
Do I need to attend the National Contest for the entire week?
No, you only need to be present for your judging time. All other events are optional.
What is NHD-Explore?
Please see this guide and video to learn more about the NHD-Explore program.
How do I ship something to the University of Maryland, College Park?
To ship items to the University of Maryland, College Park, please follow these instructions.
Where can I find information about accessibility on the University of Maryland, College Park campus?
Please visit: https://accessibility.umd.edu/visitors-to-campus
Do I need a chaperone?
Yes, all students need a chaperone throughout the contest week. You will list the chaperone in your student account when you register. Chaperones are responsible for the behavior of the students in their charge. If you are staying in the dorms, you will need to list a chaperone who will be with you in the dorms when you register for housing. Chaperones do not need to register separately.
What safety measures are in place at the University of Maryland, College Park?
Please review this document.
What is the dress code for the Student Dance?
Casual! You can wear whatever you are comfortable wearing. Most students will wear t-shirts, shorts, or jeans.
Contest Week Programming
National History Day partners with museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions in Washington, D.C. to offer dynamic programming for students and teachers during contest week: from field trips to showcases featuring students’ projects to engaging activities and professional development opportunities. We call these opportunities NHD-Explore (or NHDx for short).
Review the 2023 NHD-Explore Guide to learn more about a variety of opportunities. Watch the video linked below to learn how your group can request passes for the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, or the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (just added!). Groups can register for NHD-Explore passes on this page on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, starting at 10 a.m. ET (the morning after NHD Contest Registration closes). All requests will be processed in the order they are received. NHDx registration will close on Friday, May 26 (or earlier if all passes are distributed).
As of Monday, May 22 at 5 pm ET, NHD-Explore registration is officially closed.
If you registered from Sunday 5/21-Monday, 5/22, look for an email on Tuesday 5/23 with programs.
Contest Awards
The National Contest provides several types of awards for outstanding student entries. To find out about special prizes or awards at affiliate and local contests, contact your affiliate coordinator.
The 2023 National Contest Awards Ceremony will be livestreamed at nhd.org/awardsceremony on Thursday, June 15 from 8:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
This is a press release template that can be downloaded and filled out for students who receive awards at the 2023 National History Day Contest.
Contest Category Awards
The top three entries in each contest category receive awards.
Additionally, students whose entries win 1st place in each category receive the designation of National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Scholars.
Special Prizes
View the list of current special prizes available to participants of the National Contest.
Two entries from each NHD Affiliate (one in the Junior Division and one in the Senior Division) have the opportunity to receive Outstanding Affiliate Awards.
Quality teachers are critical to student success. National History Day recognizes their outstanding work and dedication to their students, awarding a teacher in each division with the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Awards, sponsored by the Patricia Behring Foundation.
Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award Winners 2022
Junior Division: Lizandaa Alburg, The Paterson Academy for the Gifted and Talented, School 28, Paterson, New Jersey
Senior Division: Amy Page, Moriarty High School, Moriarty, New Mexico
Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award Winners 2021
Junior Division: Suzanne Zmijewski Lim, Winthrop L. Chenery Middle School, Belmont, Massachusetts
Senior Division: Jeni Boulanger, Oak Hills High School, Oak Hills, California
Judging
Are you interested in judging for the NHD National Contest? The 2023 National Contest will be held in person at the University of Maryland, College Park, with judging days on June 12–13, 2023. NHD is looking for historians, educators, and others to judge student projects.
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