The “Presidential 1776 Award” is a new ‘civics contest’ launched to celebrate America’s 250 birthday. And while some students have ‘mixed feelings’ about President Trump, they’ll be going all out to win a $150,000 scholarship.
Read on, and we’ll show you how to watch the “Presidential 1776 Award” online from anywhere in the world using a VPN and potentially for free.
‘Presidential 1776 Award’ — date, time, and broadcast options
The “Presidential 1776 Award” will be broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 30. It will then be available on Paramount+ the next day.
• U.S. — CBS via YouTube TV (free trial) / Paramount+
• Canada — Paramount+
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk-free
The United States were formally founded back in 1776, and there’s lots of celebrations going on this year to commemorate that pivotal moment in human history, including the “Presidential 1776 Award” ceremony.
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This is a civic showdown, recognizing excellence in American founding history, boasts a total prize pool of $250,000 (one thousand for every year America has existed). The brightest, most deserving students across the country will receive a share, with the ultimate winner earning a massive $150,000 scholarship.
If you want to see how it all plays out live on the night, here’s to watch the “Presidential 1776 Award” online from anywhere in the world.
How to watch ‘Presidential 1776 Award’ 2026 for free
You can watch ‘Presidential 1776 Award’ on CBS at 8 p.m. on June 30.
Don’t have cable? Use the YouTube TV free-trial to access to CBS broadcasts.
The event will also be available the following day on Paramount Plus – one of our favorite streaming servicees
Pro tip: there’s a sneaky way to get Paramount Plus Essential for free with the Walmart Plus 30 days for $1 trial.
Abroad when the event takes place? Use NordVPN to unlock your bargain stream of the big show.
How to watch the ‘Presidential 1776 Award’ from anywhere
If you’re traveling and find that your usual streaming apps stop working outside your home region, a VPN (virtual private network) can help. It lets your device connect via a secure server back home, so you can use your existing subscriptions as normal.
Tom’s Guide has tested a wide range of services, and NordVPN is the one we favor.
Using a VPN is straightforward; follow these steps.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As noted, NordVPN is our preferred option.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you’re in the U.K. and want to view an American service, you’d select U.S. from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the show. Head to Paramount+ and stream the “Presidential 1776 Award” online
How to watch ‘Presidential 1776 Award’ in the U.S.
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How to watch ‘Presidential 1776 Award’ in Canada
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
To watch the “Presidential 1776 Award” in Canada, you’ll need a Paramount+ subscription. Either watch live with a Premium package or stream it on-demand the next day if you’re on the Essential package.
Not in Canada right now? A VPN can help you access your usual Canadian streaming services when you’re overseas. We recommend NordVPN for its speed, reliability, and ease of use.
Can you watch ‘Presidential 1776 Award’ in Australia?
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Unfortunately, there is no broadcast or streaming option for “Presidential 1776 Award” in Australia. But there is a solution…
Away from home? Use one of the best VPN services to log into your usual streaming platforms from overseas. We recommend NordVPN for its speed, reliability, and trusted security features.
Can you watch ‘Presidential 1776 Award’ in the U.K.?
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
It’s a similar story in the U.K. with no broadcast or streaming drop lined up for “Presidential 1776 Award”.
In the U.K. on vacation right now? We recommend NordVPN so you can bypass geo-restrictions, with the service rated highly for its speed, reliability, and trusted security features. Then you can watch your regular streams as normal.
‘Presidential 1776 Award’ – all you need to know
Why is the ‘Presidential 1776 Award’ happening?
In December 2025, U.S. Department of Education launched the Presidential 1776 Award. This will be the first of its kind, and it’s all in place to celebrate America’s 250th birthday as a country.
As per the U.S. Department of Education, the award is being utilized to align with the ideologies of the Founding Fathers. The website states: “Our founders knew that education was the foundation for our liberty. Rigorous, merit-based standards weren’t just a value to them; they were their ethos.
“They knew that only through a grounded, fact-based education could the heirs of the revolution carry our nation to greatness. This same spirit is why [we launched the award].”
To this end, the website adds: “The Presidential 1776 Award reflects a belief central to American education: that informed students become patriotic citizens, and patriotic citizens are essential to the future of the Republic.”
What prizes are available?
There is a total of $250,000 in scholarship funding on offer to winners, with the top winner receiving a huge $150,000 grand prize. $25,000 is on offer to other notable participants.
How do you win the Presidential 1776 Award?
For a start, anyone wanting to win the Presidential 1776 Award must have a strong knowledge of the official study materials, which focus on America’s founding era, the Constitution, and foundational documents.
Those taking part then attempt to pass a a 90-minute, three-session multiple-choice qualifying test. There are no notes and no aids and this test must be completed in one session.
There are then state and national level competitions for the best performers from each region, before moving on to the National Finals, which is what we’ll see on TV.
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