Governor Ron DeSantis today highlighted a significant new incentive for the upcoming Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) State Championship, announcing that the winner of the high school-level Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate will receive a $50,000 scholarship and a trophy named in honor of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The announcement, made on Monday, October 27, 2025, underscores the state’s focus on civics education and civil discourse. The FCDI State Championship will be held on April 5, 2026, at New College of Florida in Sarasota.
Significant Scholarship Awards to Recognize Debate Excellence
The top competitors in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate will be awarded substantial scholarships, made possible by a generous ten-year commitment from philanthropist Patricia Duggan of Clearwater, with funds matched by the Florida Prepaid Foundation to double their impact.
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The awards structure is as follows:
- Champion: $50,000 scholarship and the Charlie Kirk-named trophy.
- Runner-up: $25,000 scholarship.
- Semifinalists (2): $15,000 scholarship each.
- Quarterfinalists (4): $10,000 scholarship each.
“We have worked hard by to make Florida the national model for civics education,” said Governor DeSantis. “The champion of the next FCDI state championship will take home the Charlie Kirk prize, renamed in honor of a young man who embodied the principles of patriotism, civil discourse, and open debate. The generous scholarship awards for the winner and other top competitors will be a great memorial to Kirk’s legacy.”
FCDI Growth and Commitment to Civics
In addition to the scholarships, the winner and runner-up will receive invitations to attend the National Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate in California, thanks to the Ronald Reagan Foundation.
The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative has seen rapid expansion under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, growing from just 59 teams in 11 districts in 2020 to more than 330 teams in every one of the state’s 67 school districts today. This initiative aims to deepen students’ understanding of America’s founding principles, sharpen their reasoning skills, and foster active civic participation.
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Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas noted the impact of the program. “Florida is modeling for the nation the impact of comprehensive civics education… Through FCDI and the Civics Literacy Excellence Initiatives, we are ensuring the next generation understands our founding principles and is equipped to preserve them through active civic participation,” Kamoutsas stated.
Florida’s Civics Literacy Efforts
The FCDI is part of a broader effort by the state, known as the Civics Literacy Excellence Initiative, which includes:
- Mandating a civic literacy assessment for all high school students in the U.S. Government course.
- Requiring postsecondary students to demonstrate civic literacy competency.
- Revising K-12 Civics and Government standards, with full implementation beginning in the 2023-24 school year.
- Creating the Civics Seal of Excellence Endorsement for teacher training.
- Developing and integrating a K-12 Civics curriculum and providing on-the-ground support through regional directors and coaches.
With over 30 tournaments scheduled this year, the FCDI continues to use debate as a primary vehicle for students to engage in respectful discourse and embody the civic virtues necessary to uphold the constitutional republic.
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