National Rice Month Scholarship

September is National Rice Month, a time to celebrate the harvest of the small but mighty grain that has captivated Americans’ hearts and stomachs for more than 300 years.  Nearly 85 percent of the rice consumed in the United States is grown right here on family farms across six states:  Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas.

That’s a fun fact that not many people are aware of — and that’s where you come in!  The National Rice Month Scholarship Video Contest is an opportunity for graduating high school students living in one of those six rice-growing states to tell a story about U.S. rice.

Create a video or animation that in three minutes or less, shines a light on this versatile, tasty, home-grown grain.  Educate, entertain, and tell us why you think rice is special – to you, to your state, or to the world!

How to Enter

1. Create an original, short (3 minutes or less) video about U.S. rice, National Rice Month, and the importance of rice to you, your state, or the world in general.
2. Before uploading your video, let us know you’re A REAL PERSON by adding an intro that shows you, on camera, saying your name and the name of your school (this footage will not count towards the 3-minute video limit).
3. Upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo.  Please note, TikTok videos may only be uploaded via Vimeo.
4. Complete the entry form and submit your video. Entries must be received by October 15, 2025.
5. After you’ve uploaded your video, share it on your social media.  Encourage your friends, family, and teachers to watch and vote for your video. (You can also check out your competition.)

Eligibility Requirements

Graduating high school students (2025-26 school year) from the six primary rice-growing states — Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas — who have not previously won a National Rice Month Scholarship are eligible to apply with the following exclusions: children of board members of the USA Rice Federation, USA Rice Council, USA Rice Farmers, USA Rice Millers’ Association, and USA Rice Merchants’ Association; and/or children of USA Rice Federation committee members, USA Rice Federation employees, or American Commodity Company (ACC) employees.

Scholarship Prizes

Three scholarship prizes, sponsored by the American Commodity Company (ACC), totaling $10,000 will be awarded:

• The grand-prize winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship, and an invitation (along with a chaperone) to the USA Rice Outlook Conference, this year in New Orleans, Louisiana.
• The second-place winner will receive a $3,000 scholarship.
• The third-place winner will receive a $2,000 scholarship.

Video Requirements & Important Dates

Create an original video about U.S.-grown rice that’s 3 minutes or less in length. Don’t forget the video intro where you tell us your name and the name of your school.

Entries must be received by October 15, 2025.  Winners will be notified by November 7, 2025.

Judging Criteria

Contest entries will be judged on creativity, quality, and effectiveness in telling a story about U.S.-grown rice.

Terms & Conditions

Your entry must be accompanied by a completed and signed application form.  Entries will not be returned.

1. The USA Rice Federation is not responsible for lost, damaged, or misdirected entries.
2. All entries become the property of the USA Rice Federation, including all promotional and advertising rights; none will be returned.
3. The USA Rice Federation reserves the right to utilize all entries in any form of promotion it deems appropriate.
4. Entries will be judged by the USA Rice Federation, whose decisions are final.
5. Substitutions or transfer of prizes is not permitted. The contest is void where prohibited by law or company policy.  All federal, state, and local laws, and regulations apply.
6. By entering, winners agree that the prizes are awarded upon the condition that the USA Rice Federation and its members have no liability whatsoever for any injuries, losses, or damages of any kind caused by any prize or resulting from acceptance, possession, or use of any prize.
7. Proof of enrollment in an accredited college or university or qualifying trade school or program must be verified before funds will be administered directly to the winner’s school.