The Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest is a scholarship program sponsored by the Ayn Rand Institute (ARI). It is open to students worldwide and asks entrants to write an essay on one of three topics related to Rand's novel, Atlas Shrugged. First prize is $20,000, with additional prizes of $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500. The contest is held annually, with the deadline for submissions typically falling in the month of April.