Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that the winner of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate at the upcoming Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) State Championship will receive a $50,000 scholarship and a trophy named in honor of Charlie Kirk. The event aims to emphasize the importance of respectful debate among students. The runner-up will be awarded a $25,000 scholarship, while each semifinalist will receive $15,000, and quarterfinalists will get $10,000 each.
“We have worked hard by to make Florida the national model for civics education,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative reflects our commitment to fostering students’ appreciation for America’s founding principles. 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”
Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas added: “Florida is modeling for the nation the impact of comprehensive civics education. With the addition of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate into FCDI, students have even more opportunities to showcase their civics knowledge while engaging in respectful discourse. 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.”
The scholarships are funded through a donation from philanthropist Patricia Duggan of Clearwater with a ten-year commitment. These funds are matched by the Florida Prepaid Foundation, increasing their effect. In addition, both the winner and runner-up will be invited by the Ronald Reagan Foundation to attend the National Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate in California.
The 2026 FCDI State Championship is scheduled for April 5 at New College of Florida in Sarasota. Thousands of students across all 67 school districts participate in FCDI teams throughout Florida as part of efforts to promote civil discourse and civic virtues statewide.
Since 2020, under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, FCDI has grown from 59 teams in 11 districts to over 330 teams representing every school district in Florida, including more than 125 newly formed teams this year alone. Students are expected to participate in over 30 tournaments during this academic year as part of ongoing efforts to enhance civic education through debate.
