Overview

Dear Applicant:
The Freedom From Religion Foundation proudly hosts five essay competitions a year — four of which are judged by volunteer FFRF members and staff. We are currently seeking qualified volunteer readers to assist with judging this year's FFRF scholarship contests.

Do you have a special background and interest in encouraging freethinking students? Do you enjoy reading the winning essays in issues of Freethought Today? We are looking for judges who have backgrounds and experience that make them particularly suited to judging student essays. This background can include degrees in English or writing, being a teacher (or retired teacher), writing instructor or tutor, etc. — or other life experiences and freethought activism. With the graduate competition, it can be helpful, although not a prerequisite, to have judges who have advanced degrees or have taught at the college level. The essay prompts vary from year to year, so generally being aware of and interested in freethought topics is adequate. Otherwise the requirements are:
  • Having the time to judge a quantity of essays on a deadline. You may choose to judge at least one contest or if you are ambitious you can review all four.
  • Being comfortable reading and grading essays through our new essay contest software from Kaleidoscope.
  • You will read all the essays assigned to you with your own private Kaleidoscope log account and fill out its corresponding form with your results. You will also have access to Kaleidoscope's professional team of software advisors to assist with any questions or concerns.
The initial judging is based on the volunteer judges scores who are encouraged to add a comment about each essay. The final judges will then review finalists by scores and comments from the volunteer judges in their category. The 10 prizes in each contest range from $3,500 for first place to $300 for 10th place, with $200 honorable mentions at FFRF's discretion.

Judges will be identified and thanked by name publicly in Freethought Today and in FFRF’s "Private Line." Thank you so much for applying!

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