FAQs

Can’t find your answer here? Reach us at romanianheritageawards.org/contact.

Eligibility

Any student currently enrolled in a school in the United States and entering grades 8 through 12 as of September of the competition year. There is no US citizenship requirement and no Romanian citizenship requirement.

It means having a family connection to Romania — a parent, grandparent, or other ancestor born there — or having a project or experience that meaningfully relates to the Romanian-American diaspora. If you are unsure whether you qualify, apply and let the committee decide. We are inclusive by design.

No. Language ability is not an eligibility criterion.

We require an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or its equivalent. If your school uses a different grading scale, note that in your application and we will convert accordingly.

Yes, if your project directly relates to the Romanian diaspora or Romanian culture in the United States. See Example 2 on this page for guidance.

Yes. Past participants and award recipients may reapply in a subsequent year with a new or continued project. Previous recognition does not disadvantage you, nor does it guarantee a higher award level.

Yes, provided you are enrolled in a recognized homeschool program in the United States and meet the grade-level requirement.

The Application

No. The competition is entirely free. The only potential costs are travel and accommodation if you attend the ceremony, which are your own responsibility unless travel funding is specifically offered and confirmed to you in writing.

Through the online application form, which opens June 15, 2026. The link will be posted on this page and announced on our Facebook page.

Yes, and we encourage it. Teams can submit a shared project. Each team member must be individually eligible. All participating members will be recognized, and the team will receive a single award level collectively. Each team member receives their own diploma.

There is no hard cap, but teams typically range from 2 to 5 students. Very large teams should note that individual contributions must be clearly described in the application.

The primary application language is English. You may include supplementary materials in Romanian, but the main application fields should be completed in English to ensure consistent evaluation.

No. Each applicant or team may submit one application per competition cycle.

No. Ongoing projects are accepted. Describe what you have done to date and what you are continuing to work on.

The application form will ask for: a project or activity description, contact information for an adult who can verify your work (a teacher, community leader, or supervisor), your GPA or equivalent academic standing, and basic personal and parent/guardian contact information. Supporting documents such as photos, letters, or certificates are welcome but not required.

No. Students self-nominate. However, you will need to provide contact information for at least one adult who can verify the work described in your application.

Specific field limits are indicated in the application form. Generally, project descriptions should be thorough enough to convey the scope and impact of your work — typically 300 to 600 words.

You will receive a confirmation email. The committee reviews all applications after the August 25 deadline. Winners are notified individually by September 7. All applicants receive confirmation of their participation status once the evaluation is complete.

The Awards

The Romanian Heritage Awards recognizes students at four levels:

  • Platinum Award — the highest distinction, given to students whose contribution is exceptional in scope, depth, and impact.
  • Gold Award — recognizes outstanding commitment and demonstrated results.
  • Silver Award — recognizes meaningful participation with clear community benefit.
  • Honorary Mention — acknowledges students who applied with a qualifying project but whose contribution did not yet reach Silver-level criteria.

The committee may also confer special or regional distinctions at its discretion.

Monetary awards vary by year and are funded through sponsorships. The specific amounts for the 2026 cycle will be published when confirmed. Not all award levels carry a monetary component.

Yes. All recognized participants receive an official diploma. Diplomas are mailed to the address provided in the application. Digital copies are also provided.

Yes. The Romanian Heritage Awards is a nationally organized program, now in its 10th edition, operating under the Federation of Romanian-American Organizations (FORA) and endorsed by the Embassy of Romania to the United States. We encourage all recipients to list it on the Common App and any other college application platforms.

Award recipients may request a letter of recommendation. These are mailed following the ceremony, ahead of most college application deadlines. Please indicate your need in your RSVP for the ceremony, or contact us directly.

What is an eligible project?

The examples below are for guidance only. They are not an indication of the type of community work required.

Example 1

A high school junior with first-generation Romanian parents who has participated as a teacher’s assistant in Sunday school Romanian language classes at their church. They have held that role for at least a few months, the work has been recognized by the local community, and they have also participated in the church’s summer camp for Romanian heritage youth. The application would describe the hours worked, the number of children benefiting, their ages, and contact information for a supervising adult.

Example 2

A high school sophomore with no Romanian background who volunteered in Romania or Moldova, working with Romanian-speaking disadvantaged children. The application would describe the location, the number of children worked with, and contact information allowing the committee to verify the work.

Example 3

A high school freshman who entered a local photography contest showcasing Romanian landscapes and traditions, won a locally recognized award, and used the experience to introduce the Romanian-American community to local audiences.