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2025 Daniels Fund National Ethics Case Competition

Ethics in the Free Market – the Ultimate Competitive Advantage

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2025 Daniels Fund National Ethics Case Competition

Ethics in the Free Market – the Ultimate Competitive Advantage

$250,000 in prizes

Travel stipends available

$250,000
in prizes

Travel stipends available

The Daniels Fund invites student teams from colleges and universities nationwide to participate in a one-of-a-kind experience designed to highlight the importance of applying ethical and free market principles in business. The competition offers high-performing teams the chance to showcase their knowledge and understanding by competing in-person for significant cash prizes on April 3-4 in Denver, Colorado.

Click here to register!

"I have always believed that a person's integrity is the cornerstone of success in business."

"The free enterprise system is the eighth wonder of the world, and the ninth is that so few people understand it."

—Bill Daniels

Learn more about Bill Daniels' values

Five lucky students who attend and register will be randomly selected to win a free laptop!*

Prizes

$250,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to the top three placing teams:
PlaceTotal PrizePrize Distribution
1st Place
$120,000
Student Team: $60,000
College/University: $50,000
Supporting Advisor: $10,000
2nd Place
$80,000
Student Team: $40,000
College/University: $35,000
Supporting Advisor: $5,000
3rd Place
$50,000
Student Team: $25,000
College/University: $22,500
Supporting Advisor: $2,500
Prizes will be paid as a grant to the affiliated college or university for timely distribution to team members and advisors.

Competition Structure

Teams will be composed of 4 students (undergrad and/or grad) and 1 supporting advisor.
  • Round 1: Prequalification (submitted electronically) – Registered teams will submit a collaborative essay addressing a provided current ethics issue. Top-scoring teams will advance to Round 2 for the in-person competition in Denver.
  • Round 2: Semi-finals (in-person) – Semi-finalists will present their recommendations based on a given business case. The highest-performing teams will advance to the finalist stage in the afternoon.
  • Round 3: Finals (in-person) – Finalists will present recommendations based on information provided on the business case. The winning teams will share a total of $250,000 in cash prizes.

Key Dates

Registration

  • October 1, 2024
    Registration Opens (no registration fee)
  • January 15, 2025
    Registration Closes
Sign up for more information

Round 1

  • January 17, 2025
    Essay Prompt Released
  • February 12, 2025
    Essay Response Due

Round 2

  • February 26, 2025
    Semi-Finalists Announced
  • March 3, 2025
    Case Released
  • March 10, 2025
    Hotel Room Reservation Deadline
  • March 26, 2025
    Supporting Documents Due
  • April 3, 2025
    Team Reception and Dinner – Denver, Colorado
  • April 4, 2025
    Round 2 Competition (Morning) – Denver, Colorado

Round 3

  • April 4, 2025
    Round 3 Competition (Afternoon) – Denver, Colorado
  • April 4, 2025
    Awards Reception and Dinner (Evening) – Denver, Colorado

Location and Travel Stipends

The in-person competition (rounds 2 and 3) will be held at the Ritz Carlton in Denver, Colorado on April 3-4, 2025. To support travel, lodging, and meal expenses, the following stipends are available for each qualifying team:
  • Colleges and universities within Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico: $3,000
  • All other college and university locations: $5,000
Stipends will be provided as grants to the respective college or university.

Who should attend?

High school seniors graduating in 2025, juniors graduating in 2026, and their parents or guardians.
Click here to register

Details:

Date:
Saturday, September 7
Time:
8:30 – 11:00 am
Location:
CSU Spur Campus — Hydro Building
4777 National Western Drive
Denver, Colorado 80216

Refreshments and light breakfast will be provided.

Who should attend?

High school seniors graduating in 2025, juniors graduating in 2026, and their parents or guardians.
Click here to register

Details:

Date:
Saturday, September 7
Time:
8:30 – 11:00 am
Location:
CSU Spur Campus — Hydro Building
4777 National Western Drive
Denver, Colorado 80216

Refreshments and light breakfast will be provided.


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College & Financial Aid Showcase