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 scheduled to take place on April 5, 2026, at New College of Florida in Sarasota.
The runner-up in the debate will be awarded a $25,000 scholarship. Two semifinalists will each receive $15,000 scholarships, while four quarterfinalists will each get $10,000 scholarships. These awards are supported by a donation from philanthropist Patricia Duggan of Clearwater, who has committed to funding the scholarships for ten years. The Florida Prepaid Foundation matches these contributions, doubling their value. In addition to financial awards, both the winner and runner-up will be invited to attend the National Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate in California through support from the Ronald Reagan Foundation.
“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”
“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,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “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.”
Since its launch under Governor DeSantis’ leadership in 2020 with just 59 teams across 11 districts, FCDI has grown significantly. There are now over 330 teams established throughout all 67 school districts in Florida—including more than 125 new teams this year alone—demonstrating statewide engagement with civic education initiatives. Students are expected to participate in over 30 tournaments during this academic year as part of efforts to enhance their understanding of civic issues through debate.
Thousands of students statewide are participating in FCDI activities designed to promote civil discourse and critical thinking skills related to constitutional values and citizenship responsibilities.
