Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes Grant

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Young Heroes Project
Amount: US $10,000
Last Updated: March 19, 2026

Summary

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors 25 exceptional young leaders aged 8 to 18 from diverse backgrounds across the U.S. and Canada. Each winner receives $10,000 for education or service projects, a personalized plaque, and media opportunities. Selection focuses on impactful service activities primarily initiated by the young hero, demonstrating qualities of courage, generosity, and moral purpose. This prize encourages youth to inspire others and create positive change in their communities.

Overview

eAbout Us The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, a program of the nonprofit organization Young Heroes Project, celebrates inspiring, public-spirited young people from diverse backgrounds all across the U.S. and Canada. Established in 2001 by author T. A. Barron, the Barron Prize annually honors 25 outstanding young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive impact on people, their communities, and the environment. What Winners Receive Winners each receive $10,000 to be applied to their higher education or to their service project.Each winner receives a beautiful personalized plaque and recognition certificate.Each winner receives a copy of The Hero’s Trail by Barron Prize founder T. A. Barron, along with a copy of Dream Big, our documentary film profiling several former Barron Prize winners. Winners also receive our Young Heroes Activity Guide.Winners are given the opportunity to connect with other Barron Prize young heroes.Winners are provided with media opportunities to help publicize their service efforts. Selection Criteria Our judges use the following criteria in choosing winners: Winners must have organized and led an extraordinary service activity which has clearly benefited other people or the planet we share.The service activity must have been initiated and motivated primarily by the winner himself or herself.The service activity cannot have been done solely to complete an assignment for school or work.Winners must have:demonstrated positive spirit, courage, intelligence, generosity, and high moral purpose.shown initiative, tenacity, and unselfishness in pursuit of their goals.accomplished something with inspirational value—something that could inspire others to make a difference.done more than survive a difficult personal challenge. Their heroism must have made an impact on the world beyond themselves.Winners may or may not have received recognition for their heroic work. Fame itself shall not have been a motivating factor.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The Barron Prize welcomes applications from public-spirited young people who are, on our deadline:between the ages of 8 and 18 (not yet age 19)permanent residents of and currently residing in the U.S.A. or Canadacurrently working on an inspiring service project or have done so within the past 12 monthsworking as an individual to lead their service work. The Barron Prize does not discriminate against its applicants based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.Parental consent is required for applicants who are not yet 16 years of age or older.Applications must include a letter from the Lead Reference. A Lead Reference is simply an adult advocate who has solid knowledge of the young person’s heroic activities. Examples of Lead References include teachers, librarians, school counselors, youth service officials, and religious leaders.

Ineligibility

The Barron Prize does not accept applications from large groups of young people.We do not accept applications via fax, email, U.S. mail, or any other carrier.