Ready to compete?

— 2026 NSDA Nationals Application —

Applications for the 2026 National Speech and Debate Tournament are now closed. Please return to this page in August of 2026 to apply to the Fall 2026 scholarship. For more information, please email info@outreachdebateal.org

Frequently Asked Questions

  • In most cases, Outreach Debate will write a check to the recipient school or team. If your team or school requires a different method of transfer, please state accordingly in the Additional Concerns section of the application form.

  • Yes — coaches are free to use awarded scholarships at their discretion as long as the scholarship committee determines their intended use aligns reasonably with speech and debate tournaments in Alabama.

    However, large travel cost requests may fall outside the budget of this scholarship and may not be awarded or only partially granted.

    If teams require assistance for both tournament and travel costs, we still encourage coaches to list both in their itemized list in the application. Requesting a large sum does not jeopardize an application as a whole.

  • Our scholarship committee consists of former and current members of the executive board of Outreach Debate. The committee reflects the following policies:

    1. Students and coaches from Alabama are strictly prohibited from serving on the committee.

    2. Review of applications will be blind, omitting school, coach, and student names.

    To learn more about the members of the committee, view our complete procedures.

  • Please apply as early as possible. For teams with demonstrated need, the Mockingbird Scholarship is primarily first-come, first-served.

    We prefer that teams apply at least two weeks prior to attending a tournament so that checks can be mailed and arrive in 4-5 business days.

    Teams with demonstrated need may also apply retroactively to our scholarship to cover costs that have already been spent. The Alabama Speech and Debate Association often allows teams to pay their dues after the tournament is over. As long as an accurate invoice is provided as proof of expenditure, teams may receive retroactive scholarships.

Have additional questions or concerns?

Send us an email at info@outreachdebateal.org