The 2025 National Civics Bee® Championship brings finalists from 39 states to our nation's capital to test their civics knowledge, skills, and disposition as they compete for big prizes.
The National Civics Bee is an annual competition that inspires young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. As they compete for a spot in the National Championship, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders from across the country showcase their civics knowledge and skills, winning prizes and recognition along the way.
The National Civics BeeAt a Glance
Entries from more than 7,000 students.
Competitors advance through local and state bees that take place through August.
One finalist from each state receives a trip to Washington, D.C., to compete at the National Championship in November.
Essay Topic: Healthcare Access in Rural Communities
Victoria F.
New York
Essay Topic: Public Health/Eating Disorders
Watch the 2025 National Civics Bee Championship
Join friends, family, classmates, teachers, and more virtual viewers across the country who will tune in on Nov. 11 to cheer on finalists representing 39 states. Register Now
Spotlight
Thank You to Our Sponsors
In addition to funding from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the National Civics Bee is made possible through the generous support of its founding partner, the Daniels Fund, as well as Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Citizen Travelers, Fisher Global Foundation, Ibis Group, The Anschutz Foundation, Walter Scott Family Foundation, Wilson Garling Foundation, and other funders. We are also grateful for our content and research partners, including the Bill of Rights Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Education Institute for Education Policy, and Khan Academy.
News
Profile
Studying the Past, Shaping the Future
Arlo’s journey with the National Civics Bee® began with looking to the past. The California state winner has a deep passion for learning about history. He spends his free time delving into books, immersing himself in time periods from the Victorian era through the World Wars. It was in history class—his favorite subject—where he discovered
To enter the 2025 National Civics Bee, students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades submitted essays describing how they would improve their communities through civics. The top-scoring entrants advanced to a local bee designed to test their civics knowledge during two rounds of civics quiz questions and a Q&A with a distinguished panel of judges. Local winners advanced to their state’s finals, taking place through August. The first-place winner from each state final received a trip to Washington to compete in the National Championship.
Who runs the National Civics Bee?
Organized by The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the National Civics Bee is an annual nonpartisan civics competition for middle schoolers that increases civics knowledge, skills, and disposition among young Americans, their families, and communities. The U.S. Chamber Foundation partners with chambers of commerce across the country to host local and state bees. Study guides, quizzes, and support materials are produced in collaboration with the Bill of Rights Institute.
The competition is made possible through the generous support of its founding partner, the Daniels Fund, as well as Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Citizen Travelers, Fisher Global Foundation, Ibis Group, The Anschutz Foundation, Walter Scott Family Foundation, Wilson Garling Foundation, and other funders.
How can I sponsor the National Civics Bee?
Individuals, companies, and organizations interested in supporting the National Civics Bee may learn more about donating here.
Event Details
1st Place
$100,000 529 plan contribution
2nd Place
$25,000
3rd Place
$15,000
Each finalist who participates in the 2025 National Civics Bee Championship will receive a certificate commemorating their participation.
Agenda
9:00 am ET
Doors Open
10:00 am – 12:45 pm ET
Championship Competition
12:45 – 2:00 pm ET
Celebratory Lunch Reception
Emcee
Mario Lopez
Mario Lopez is the consummate entertainer. The 2-time Emmy winner, is the host of NBC’s “Access Hollywood,” and “Access Daily” and has over-all development deal with NBC/Universal. Mario concurrently hosts the national iHeart radio programs “On with Mario Lopez” and “iHeartRadio Countdown with Mario Lopez.” He can be seen in 2024 as the host of the GSN show “Blank Slate.”
A constant presence on the pop culture scene for almost 4 decades has a legion of fans across the board. Actor, NYT Best Selling author, producer and host, Lopez’s prolific career has made him one of the most sought-after personalities in entertainment today. Some of Lopez’s acting credits include This Is Us, Jane the Virgin, and Nip/Tuck among many others. In 2008, Mario Lopez made his Broadway debut as Zach in the revival of A Chorus Line where he met his wife, Courtney. Mario and Courtney have three adorable kids, Gia, Dominic and Santino and two dogs, Salvador & Oscar.
Want to enter the 2026 Bee?
The online application portal for the 2026 National Civics Bee is now open and closes on February 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time!
