JASNA Essay Contest

JASNA's annual essay contest asks students to write literary analysis responding to a prompt about Jane Austen's novels and their social, historical, or cultural contexts. High-school, college, and graduate students compete in separate divisions, and membership is not required. The contest generally accepts work in late winter and spring; the 2026 deadline was June 1, and JASNA says 2027 information will appear in November 2026. Each division awards $1,000 for first, $500 for second, and $250 for third; first place also receives conference registration and two nights of lodging.