2026 NHD-CA Virtual Contest

For Online Schools

The NHD-CA Virtual Contest is ONLY for students, grades 4 - 12, who attend an online or virtual school. These students will not compete at a county contest. Instead, they will register and submit projects through NHD-CA.

Projects will be evaluated by judges from across the state and top projects will advance to the state contest.

NO INTERVIEWS

THEME

Steps to Learn More

Attend Zoom Information Meeting

We will host a zoom meeting on October 14^th at 4:00 PM to walk through the contest process, answer questions, and help schools get started. We encourage you to attend if you are considering participating. Complete the form to receive the zoom link.

Date: October 14, 2025

Time: 4:00 PM

Complete an Interest Form

Complete an interest form so we can add you to the email list, send the zoom link, and learn more about how we can support your school as it gets started with NHD.

Complete Form

How Does It Work?

REGISTRATION

Teachers must register first to create projects and add students. Students must also register in order to participate.

Registration Opens January 14, 2026

Registration Closes / projects uploaded, February 12, 2026.

Fee: $45 per student

PROJECT SUBMISSION

All entry categories including exhibits and posters will be submitted electronically by February 12, 2026.

More information on project submissions coming soon.

Students will not participate in an Interview for the virtual contest

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Elementary, Junior, and Senior Division finalists will be eligible to compete at the state contest.

PROJECTS MAY BE REVISED BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM JUDGES.

STUDENTS CHOOSING TO ATTEND THE STATE CONTEST IN THE POSTER & EXHIBIT CATEGORIES MUST BRING A PHYSICAL PROJECT TO THE CONTEST.

2026 Finalists (posts 3/25/26)

NHD-CA STATE CONTEST

Invited finalists may attend the NHD-CA California state contest in May. Students in the Junior and Senior divisions will be competing for an opportunity to advance to the national contest in June*.

FINALISTS MUST MEET ALL DEADLINES, INCLUDING REGISTRATION & PAYMENT ($110 per student) FOR THE NHD-CA STATE CONTEST.

IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE & INTERVIEWS REQUIRED.

*Podcasts projects do not advance to the National competition.

2025-26 Timeline

January 14th

Registration Opens

February 12th

Registration Closes

February 12th

Projects Due

March 16th

State Qualifiers Announced

March 24th

Deadline for Finalists to register for NHD-CA State Contest

May 1st – 3rd

NHD-CA Contest at Sac State
Registered Finalist Student Interviews

Sacramento County Office of Education

NHD-CA
P.O. Box 269003
Sacramento, CA 95826

Contact Us

[email protected]