Welcome to the 2026 DNA Day Essay Contest submission site. 

As you prepare your submission, please note the following important items:

• All submitters must create an account with ASHG. Creating an account does not require any payment.
• Please follow DNA Day Submission Instructions to submit more than one essay.

What You Need to Know Before You Submit

• Teachers should create an account and submit the essay for each student. This can be any teacher at the current school of the student.
• If a teacher or other adult (such as a dean or guidance counselor) at a school is not availble to submit, a parent may submit.
• The contest is open to high school students (grades 9-12) in the U.S. and internationally.
• Essays must be in English and no more than 750 words. Word count includes in-text citations, but not reference lists.
• Essays must include at least one reference. 

SUBMIT ESSAY HERE

For more information about the ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest, visit the contest homepage. 

Questions? Contact us at dnaday@ashg.org