NSDA/NFHS Policy Debate Topic Fellowship

The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to partner with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) to support an increase in diversity in the Policy Debate selection process. In order to have topics that best reflect the evolving needs of our diverse membership, we are committed to increasing the diversity of representation in the Policy Debate selection process. To that end, we have created two two-year Policy Debate topic fellowships to assist.

From Aug 1 – 3, 2025 in Austin, Texas, the two fellows will participate in the NFHS Policy Debate Topic Selection Meeting to learn more about the topic selection process. During the fall of the 2025 school year, the two fellows will write Policy Debate topic papers. In August of 2026, the two fellows will present and advocate for their Policy Debate topics. These fellows will be eligible to serve on the NFHS Wording Committee. Applications are due April 14, 2025. Applications for 2025-2026 will open by November 2024.

Apply for the Policy Topic Fellowship

Review the Handbook

Eligibility

Be excited to participate in the Policy Debate topic writing and topic selection process
Actively coach Policy Debate at the high school level for at least two previous school years
Demonstrate a commitment to working with historically underserved or underprivileged students
Be committed to participation in 2025 and 2026 Policy Debate topic selection process, including submitting a topic for consideration at the 2026 selection process
Complete the authorship process on time and meet all deadlines
Be active NSDA coach members (preferred)
Have demonstrated experience or interest in debate topic selection processes (preferred)

Expectations

Year 1:

Attend the NFHS Policy Debate Topic Selection Meeting in Austin, Texas, on August 1-3.
Learn about the process, ask questions of topic authors, and participate in topic selection.

Year 2:

Write a topic paper in accordance with NFHS guidelines and deadlines. Review 2024 deadlines for a sense of what the process entails.
Attend office hours to receive support, make adjustments to the topic paper based on feedback, and submit drafts of the paper to reviewers.
Attend the NFHS Policy Debate Topic Selection Meeting (location TBD), present the paper, and advocate for their topic.

Compensation

Year 1, fellows will receive:

Travel honorarium to the NFHS Policy Debate selection process of up to $600
2-3 nights of lodging at the NFHS Policy Debate selection hotel
Meal per diem of up to $50 per day for the selection process
$250 annual honorarium
A writing stipend of $400 to compensate their preparation for writing a topic paper the following year

Year 2, fellows will receive:

Travel honorarium to the NFHS Policy Debate selection process of up to $600
2-3 nights of lodging at the NFHS Policy Debate selection hotel
Meal per diem of up to $50 per day for the selection process
$250 annual honorarium
Base writing stipend of $250 with additional financial incentives for completing work on-time and attending meetings. A topic paper writer can earn up to $750 if they fully participate in the process.

Subsequent years, if a fellow continues to write a Policy Debate topic paper, the NFHS will award them a $400 writing stipend.