National Civics Bee

National Civics Bee

Empowering our youth to raise their voices, show off their civics skills and be informed, involved citizens!

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and regional partners across Indiana to host a first-of-its-kind statewide civics competition. The 2026 National Civics Bee encourages middle school students in grades 6-8 to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Learn more about the National Civics Bee here.

The competition, modeled on traditional spelling and geography bees, gives students the chance to win recognition and earn cash prizes by sharing ideas for improving their communities and showing their enthusiasm for civics. The winner of the National Civics Bee Indiana State Finals in June 2026 will be invited to Washington, D.C. to compete in the inaugural National Civics Bee national championship in Fall 2026.

Why Civics?

We are hosting the National Civics Bee Indiana State Finals because we believe that informed and active citizens make for a strong country, a strong economy, and a strong workforce, and that our continued prosperity depends on the strength of all three. Through the Bee, we are promoting greater civic knowledge throughout Indiana and celebrating our civic pride.

Who is Eligible + How to Enter

Any Indiana student enrolled in grades 6, 7 or 8 at a public, private, charter or home school institution at the time of entry is eligible to participate. To enter, students should select one of Indiana’s local chamber competitions (see links above) and follow the steps, rules and guidelines provided by the chamber to submit your entry.

NOTE: Students can only apply to one local chamber competition, and it must be in their state of residence.

How the Competition Works

  • Regional Essay Round: Students enter the regional Bee of their choosing by submitting a 4-paragraph essay to a participating regional partner. Access the student informational flyer.
  • Regional Civics Bee Competitions: Regional partners will judge each essay and select twenty regional finalists to compete live in a regional Civics Bee Competition, which will determine the first, second and third place winners. The regional Civics Bee Competition is a 90-minute, in-person event featuring two rounds of civics questions followed by an essay summary and Q&A round.

  • State Civics Bee Competition: The top three winners from each regional competition will advance to compete in the National Civics Bee Indiana State Finals – hosted by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Indiana Department of Education. The state finalist with the highest cumulative score will be named the first-place winner of the state competition and have the opportunity to compete in the National Civics Bee Championship. The event will take place on June 23, 2026 at the Indiana War Memorial and Museum (55 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis, 46204). Click here to view or register for the event.

  • National Championship: The 2026 National Civics Bee Championship will take place in Fall 2026, in Washington, D.C.

Questions? Visit the National Civics Bee website to learn more.

Local Competitions

The following local chambers of commerce are participating in the 2026 National Civics Bee. Use the links below to find more information about each local bee and to submit your entry.

Get Involved

Are you interested in showcasing your company’s commitment to developing active and engaged citizens? For information about corporate sponsorships, view the sponsor prospectus or contact Tim Brewer at (317) 496-0704 or tbrewer@indianachamber.com.