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 is set to take place on April 5, 2026, at New College of Florida in Sarasota.
The runner-up will be awarded a $25,000 scholarship, while each semifinalist will receive $15,000 and quarterfinalists will each get $10,000. These scholarships are funded through a donation from philanthropist Patricia Duggan of Clearwater, with a ten-year commitment to continue support. The scholarships are matched by the Florida Prepaid Foundation. In addition to these awards, both the winner and runner-up will be invited to attend the National Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate in California.
Governor DeSantis said, “We have worked hard by to make Florida the national model for civics education. 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 FCDI now includes teams in all 67 school districts across Florida. Since 2020 under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, it has grown from 59 teams in 11 districts to more than 330 teams statewide, including over 125 new teams. This year alone, students are expected to participate in over 30 tournaments focused on debate as a means to enhance civic understanding.
Through initiatives like FCDI and expanded access across all school districts, thousands of students are participating in activities designed to improve their reasoning skills and understanding of constitutional values.
