State Contest

State Contest Updates

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The 2026 NHD in Iowa state contest will take place on Monday, April 27, 2026 at Scheman Building (1805 Center Dr) in Ames.

You can access the state zFairs site here using your regional login information.

Interested in judging at the state contest? Please go to the Iowa State Contest zFairs site and follow these sign-up instructions (120.12 KB) .pdf .

Projects and Dates
Project/Event	Deadline
Documentary Projects Submit to zFairs: Written Materials (Title Page, Process Paper, Annotated Bibliography) and Link to Finalized Documentary Saved on Public Drive	April 13 at 11:59 p.m. CT
Exhibit Projects Submit to zFairs: Written Materials (Title Page, Process Paper, Annotated Bibliography)	April 13 at 11:59 p.m. CT
Paper Projects Submit to zFairs: Written Materials (Title Page, Process Paper, Annotated Bibliography) and Finalized Paper	April 13 at 11:59 p.m. CT
Performance Projects Submit to zFairs: Written Materials (Title Page, Process Paper, Annotated Bibliography)	April 13 at 11:59 p.m. CT
Website Projects Submit to zFairs: Written Materials (Title Page, Process Paper, Annotated Bibliography) and NHDWebCentral Key	April 13 at 11:59 p.m. CT
Tentative State Contest Judging Schedule Posted	April 20
State Contest	April 27
Websites Unlocked	April 28
Comment Forms Released	April 30

State Contest Project Details At-a-Glance
Read the State Contest Guide for Complete Information Before Attending the State Contest (Available March 2026)
Documentary Projects + Students will show the documentary and have an interview in the preliminary round + Students do not need to be present for the final round + Students do not need to bring extra copies of the written materials
Exhibit Projects + Students will bring their physical exhibit and have an interview in the preliminary round + Students do not need to be present for the final round + Students do not need to bring extra copies of the written materials
Paper Projects + Students will have an interview in the preliminary round + Students do not need to be present for the final round + Students do not need to bring extra copies of the written materials
Performance Projects + Students will perform and have an interview in the preliminary round + Students will perform in the final round without an interview + Students do not need to bring extra copies of the written materials
Website Projects + Students will have an interview in the preliminary round + Students do not need to be present for the final round + Students do not need to bring extra copies of the written materials