Sponsors/facilitators of student writing competitions provide more detailed instructions and rules at their websites. Students need to review the information and rules available at these websites.
Topic in 2025 Competition was: "Paper topics are limited to FDA and regulated agencies’ laws and regulations. Topical focus should be on FDA-regulated industries: food, drugs, animal drugs, biologics, cosmetics, diagnostics, dietary supplements, medical devices, veterinary devices, cannabis, or tobacco and nicotine products."
2025 Competition description stated: "We do accept submissions that have been submitted to other writing contests. However, articles must be unpublished at the time of judging in order to remain in consideration for the competition. Articles that have been accepted for forthcoming publication will still be eligible for placement in the competition but will not be considered for publication in the Food and Drug Law Journal. Published papers will be disqualified from the Austern Competition." "We encourage students interested in submitting to the Austern Writing Competition to apply for our complimentary Student Membership Program. This program is available to full-time students of accredited universities and provides access to member benefits as well as student-only discounts and programs."
Format requirements in 2025 Competition included: "Papers shall not exceed 100 pages (assuming double spacing, one-inch margins). "Students will submit an abstract."
Eligibility requirements in 2025 Competition included: "Students currently enrolled in a JD program at any of the nation’s ABA-accredited law schools and 2024–2025 academic year graduates are eligible to participate."
Prizes in 2025 Competition were: "Top papers will receive a monetary prize. Winners are awarded: $1,000 for first place, $750 for second, and $500 for third."
