Please review this Official Rules before submitting your work.   
1.  Eligibility.  Entrants (herein "Entrant") must be current Minds Matter participants (grades 10th through 12th) who are in good standing with their chapters.  Minds Matter alumni can also participate if they successfully completed the three-year program at their local chapter.  However, students and alumni submissions will be evaluated separately.
2.  Individual Entries.  No group entries will be considered. 
3.  Number of Entries.  Each Entrant may submit up to two (2) works for consideration.  Each submission must be the entirely original work of the Entrant and must NOT have been previously published online or in print.  The submissions must be in accordance with the three topics provided on this website, under Topics.
4.  Usage.  By submitting their work, the Entrant (and their guardian for those under the age of 18) understands and agrees that Minds Matter maintains the right to publish, transmit, or otherwise display the Entrant's submitted work, as well as their name, likeness and biography.  The Entrant agrees that they will not be financially compensated for their work or these additional use rights beyond being considered for the contest prizes of Amazon Gift Certificates.  The Entrant's submission, name, likeness and biography may be used for promotional purposes for Minds Matter National, Inc. and/or its affiliated chapters.
5.  Submissions.  Submissions must be made via email to SUBMIT@mmnationalwritingawards.com on or before October 21st, 2017 at midnight, Pacific Standard Time.  All submissions must also include a .pdf of a signed release and affidavit of eligibility signed by a parent/guardian (for entrants under 18 years old) or the Entrants themselves (if over the age of 18). 
6.  Written Entries.  Written work must be submitted as a Microsoft Word Document in 12 point font in Times New Roman and should not exceed more than 1,000 words.     
7.  Video and Graphic Entries.  Video should be submitted via VIMEO and shared with submit@mmnationalwritingawards.com.  Graphic entries (photography or graphics) must be submitted in high resolution (minimum 300dpi, or at least 1800 pixels in width) in .jpeg format for it to be usable.  
8.  Notification.  The winners will be notified by email on or before November 30th and their award will be announced on November 30th, 2018.    All entrants will be emailed confirmation of their submission and will be informed of the results.    
9.  Criteria for Evaluation.  Work will be judged based on the following criteria:
Creativity and Originality of Work - 30%
Critical Thinking Elements - 20%
Relevance to Theme - 20%
Quality  - 20%
Conventions, Grammar and Organization - 10%
10.  Anonymity.  All submissions will be evaluated anonymously, so do not include any personally-identifying information within your submission.   In the first round, submissions will be evaluated by award organizers for content and eligibility.  Entries that qualify for the Final Round will be evaluated by a panel of judges who will make the final determination of the winners.   
11.  Publication.  All entries will be seriously considered for inclusion in a collection of work to be published by Minds Matter.  This publication will celebrate Minds Matter's 25th anniversary and will be used for a variety of promotional purposes.  
12.  Editing Rights.  Minds Matter National, Inc. reserves the right to edit all materials as it deems before publishing.  It is not required to make any use of any submission, including award winners.13. The start date of this contest is September 13th, 2017 and the end date is October 22nd, 2017.   There will be no entry fee for this competition and no purchase of any kind is necessary for entrance into this contest.  Void where prohibited. 
13.  Prizes.  The approximate retail value of the aggregate prizes will be $1,300 and is subject to change.  Minds Matter National, Inc. reserves the right to substitute a prize of equivalent value in the event that the prize is not available.
14.  Modifications.  Minds Matter National, Inc. reserves the right to cancel, suspend or modify a promotion if any problem prevents the promotion from running as planned.
15.  Release.  All Entrants agree to release and hold the Minds Matter National, Inc. harmless from and against any claim associated with these writing awards.
16.  Limitation of Liability. Minds Matter National, Inc. (and its affiliated chapters and corporations) is not responsible and cannot be held liable for technical errors or other occurrences that may prevent the promotion from running as planned, including any failure of computer equipment or programs or Internet connectivity.
17. Jurisdiction.  These Official Rules and the writing awards are governed by the laws of the State of New York.  Void where prohibited.