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.
Please note: Exhibit, Paper, and Website categories will not be notified if their project advances to finals; therefore, they do not need to be present for the finals round.
The 2027 National Contest
June 13–17, 2027, 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. Watch the recorded 2025 Welcome Ceremony on YouTube.
The Awards Ceremony on the final day opens with a Parade of Affiliates, where students from every affiliate marched and showed off their local pride, much like during the Olympics. Watch the recorded 2026 Awards Ceremony at nhd.org/awards-ceremony.
Beyond the NHD National Contest, students visit Washington, D.C., where they can explore museums and other historical sites to learn about topics for the upcoming year’s theme.
What to Expect at the National Contest
The National History Day Contest will take place June 14- 18, 2026, 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 and teacher registration for the National Contest will open on April 15 at 12:00 p.m. ET and closed on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Continue to check this page for additional National Contest information (registration instructions, shipping to the contest, travel information, parking at UMD, and more).
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 15, 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 16, 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 on Tuesday evening. Senior Division finals judging will take place on Wednesday morning between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Please note: Exhibit, Paper, and Website categories will not be notified if their project advances 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 27, by the following deadlines:
● For meals on Sunday (6/14) and Monday (6/15), the deadline is Wednesday, June 10.
● For meals on Tuesday (6/16), the deadline is Thursday, June 11.
● For meals on Wednesday (6/17), the deadline is Sunday, June 14.
Please request lunches here beginning Wednesday, May 27: https://go.umd.edu/NHDBoxMealRequest. Boxed breakfasts and/or lunches for Wednesday, June 17, will be available for pickup at 6:45 AM 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).
On-Campus Housing & Meal Plans
Student/Chaperone Code of Conduct and Expectations
Registration Fees
Student Registration Fee: $165
Teacher Registration Fee: $65
Only teachers attending the National Contest must pay a $65 registration fee. Please note: Teachers are not required to attend the National Contest. This fee includes access to teacher resources, Monday night Teacher Social, Tuesday workshops, Smithsonian Institute or White House Historical Association showcases, and other teacher activities.
Registrants who do not complete payment before the 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 19 deadline will face a $50 Late Fee. The late payment fee will increase to $60 on Thursday, May 21. If payment is not completed by Friday, May 22, the late fee will increase to $75. If you need to complete your payment after the May 19 deadline, you must contact the NHD National Office.
Teachers
Teachers attending the contest must register and pay the $65 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 showcases at the Smithsonian Institute or White House Historical Association, and participation in any other teacher activities at the National Contest.
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
DCA 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) stops at DCA. Take the Yellow Line going toward Greenbelt and 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 the WMATA website or Google Maps for the latest travel information. You can pay via SmarTrip or by tapping a credit or debit card to the card reader at the faregate. Learn more about 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 or New Carrollton. Then transfer to the Green or Yellow Line at L’Enfant Plaza. Take the Green or Yellow 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 the WMATA website or Google Maps for the latest travel information. You can pay via SmarTrip or by tapping a credit or debit card to the card reader at the faregate. Learn more about 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. 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.
Public Transportation from New Carrollton to College Park, MD: Take the Orange Line toward Vienna. Then transfer to the Green or Yellow Line at L’Enfant Plaza. Take the Green or Yellow Line going toward Greenbelt. Exit at College Park-UMD. The campus is located 1.5 miles from the Metrorail station.
Public Transportation from Union Station to College Park, MD: Take the Red Line going toward Glenmont. Then transfer to the Green or Yellow Line at Fort Totten. Take the Green or Yellow Line going toward Greenbelt. Exit at College Park-UMD. The campus is located 1.5 miles from the Metrorail station.
Metro/Metrorail
Washington’s Metrorail system website has maps and schedules. As there are frequent changes, construction, etc., please refer to the WMATA 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 also pay the fare using a debit or credit card. You can find the details on payment options here. First time using Metro? Check out this helpful article.
Please note: The Kiss and Ride at the College Park-UMD station will be closed for construction. Please read the construction notice here and plan travel accordingly.
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.
Parking
If you purchase housing packages, parking is included in the rate, and there will be parking spots near the dorms. All other parking will be much more limited this year, as the University of Maryland lost many spaces/lots due to the Metro Purple Line construction.
Please review this information on parking permits and purchase them here.
Pending availability, representatives from the Department of Transportation Services will be available at registration during the following hours to assist with permit purchase and answer questions: Saturday, 2:00 pm–8:00 pm, and Sunday, 9:00 am–8:00 pm. Beginning Monday, guests should pre-purchase permits online or park in designated visitor parking lots and pay the hourly/daily fee.
In College Park, there are also off-campus parking options. Please review this document for additional information, locations, and rates.
Shuttles
There are free National History Day campus shuttles to take you to various locations around the University of Maryland, College Park campus, College Park, and the College Park Metro Station. Please view the shuttle schedule and routes here.
Shipping
Please review this document for instructions on shipping to the University of Maryland, College Park.
Map
Please review this interactive map of the University of Maryland campus and check out this NHD-specific map to get acquainted with campus before the contest week.
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.
When will I be judged?
If you are in the Junior Division (grades 6–8), you will be judged on Monday, June 15, 2026, 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 16, 2026, between 10 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. You will receive your precise judging time and location when you check-in at the National Contest.
What should I expect during judging?
For the exhibit, website, and paper categories, the judges will interview you about your project during your judging time. You do not need to prepare any type of presentation – the judges will ask you questions about your project.
For the documentary and performance categories, you will show your documentary or performance to the judges, and then the judges will interview you following your project – the judges will ask you questions about your project.
You will receive your judging time/location when you check in at the National Contest.
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.
Where can I find information about accessibility on the University of Maryland, College Park campus?
Please visit this page of the UMD website: 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 for the National Contest separately.
What safety measures are in place at the University of Maryland, College Park?
Please visit this page of the UMD website: https://umpd.umd.edu/resources/safety-information
What are the hours for the Prince George’s Room in the Stamp Student Union?
What are the public viewing hours for the exhibit hall?
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 2027 National Contest Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 17, at the Xfinity Center at the University of Maryland, College Park. Please review the bag policy for the Xfinity Center.
Contest Category Awards
The top three entries in each contest category receive awards.
Special Prizes
View the list of current special prizes available to participants of the National Contest.
Outstanding Affiliate Awards
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.
Teacher of the Year Award
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 Teacher of the Year Award.
Teacher of the Year Award Winners 2026
Junior Division: Ann Jackson, B.R. Miller Middle School, Iowa
Senior Division: Josh Elders, Peters Township Middle School, Pennsylvania
Teacher of the Year Award Winners 2025
Junior Division: Robert DeCerbo, Palmetto Academy, South Carolina
Senior Division: Michael Biondo, Main South High School, Illinois
Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award Winners 2024
Junior Division: Matthew Elms, Singapore American School, Singapore
Senior Division: Aditi Doshi, Van Nuys High School, Van Nuys, California
Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award Winners 2023
Junior Division: Terry Kaldhusdal, Kettle Moraine Middle School, Dousman, Wisconsin
Senior Division: Sarah Razee, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
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 serving as a judge for the NHD National Contest? The 2027 National Contest will be held in person at the University of Maryland, College Park, from June 13-17, 2027. Judge registration will open in Fall 2026.
