Genre: Poetry

Stanley Kunitz Memorial Prize

American Poetry Review
Entry Fee: 
$15
Deadline: 
May 15, 2026
A prize of $1,000 and publication in American Poetry Review is given annually for a single poem by a poet under the age of 40. The editors will judge. Submit up to three poems totaling no more than three pages with a $15 entry fee, which includes a copy of the prize issue, by May 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Griffin Poetry Prize

Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
June 19, 2026
A prize of $130,000 Canadian (approximately $94,891) is given annually for a poetry collection written in or translated into English by a living poet or translator from anywhere in the world and published during the previous year. Finalists receive $10,000 Canadian (approximately $7,299) each for their participation in the shortlisted authors event to be held in Toronto in June. Should the prize-winning book be a translation, 60 percent of the prize is awarded to the translator and 40 percent to the poet. For the 2027 prize, publishers may submit four copies of a book of at least 48 pages in length published between January 1 and June 30 by June 19. The deadline to submit books published during the second half of the year is December 18. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

Chapbook Prize

Two Sylvias Press
Entry Fee: 
$18
Deadline: 
May 31, 2026
A prize of $1,000, publication by Two Sylvias Press, and 20 author copies is given annually for a poetry chapbook. Kim Addonizio will judge. Submit a manuscript of 17 to 24 pages via e-mail with an $18 entry fee by May 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Anthology Poetry Competition

Anthology Magazine
Entry Fee: 
$18
Deadline: 
June 30, 2026
A prize of €1,000 (approximately $1,169) and publication in Anthology Magazine is given annually for a single poem. Rachael Hegarty will judge. Submit a poem of no more than 40 lines with a €15 (approximately $18) entry fee by the early bird deadline of June 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Joe W. Bratcher Prize

Host Publications
Entry Fee: 
$15
Deadline: 
June 1, 2026
A prize of $8,000, publication by Host Publications, and 25 author copies will be given annually for a poetry collection. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a poetry manuscript of 60 to 90 pages with a $15 entry fee by June 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Akron Poetry Prize

University of Akron Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
June 15, 2026
A prize of $1,500 and publication by University of Akron Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Brenda Shaughnessy will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 48 to 90 pages with a $25 entry fee by June 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Tags: 
book awards

Grants for Artist Projects

Artist Trust
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
June 22, 2026
Grants of $2,500 each are given annually to poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers who are residents of Washington State. Students enrolled in a degree-granting program are ineligible. Using only the online submission system, submit a writing sample of up to 10 pages of poetry, prose, or hybrid-genre work with a project description, a statement about how funding will support the progress of the work, and a brief bio by June 22. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Transformation Awards

Leeway Foundation
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
May 15, 2026
Awards of $15,000 each are given annually to women, transgender, and/or gender-nonconforming poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers in the Philadelphia area who have been creating art for social change for at least five years. Writers who have lived in Bucks, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia counties for at least two years and who are not full-time students in a degree-granting arts program are eligible. Submit a completed application form, which includes a list of relevant experience and a statement demonstrating the applicant’s commitment to “art for social change work” by May 15. A panel of community-based artists will review applications and invite selected poets and prose writers to submit work for the second stage of the application process. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required application form and complete guidelines.

Literary Prizes

Washington Writers’ Publishing House
Entry Fee: 
$28
Deadline: 
June 30, 2026
Two prizes of $1,500 each, publication by Washington Writers’ Publishing House, and 25 author copies are given annually for a poetry collection and a short story collection or novel. Additionally, a prize of $1,500, publication by Washington Writers’ Publishing House, and 25 author copies is given in alternating years for a poetry collection in translation or a book of creative nonfiction. This year the prize will be awarded in creative nonfiction. Winners are also invited to participate in readings at Politics & Prose in Washington, D.C. and the Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Writers who live in Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia are eligible. Using only the online submission system, submit a poetry manuscript of 70 to 100 pages, a novel or story collection of 150 to 250 pages, or a work of creative nonfiction between 150 and 250 pages with a $28 entry fee by June 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Poetry Prize

Autumn House Press
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
June 30, 2026
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Autumn House Press is given annually for a poetry collection. The winner also receives a $1,500 travel and publicity grant. Felicia Zamora will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 50 to 80 pages with a $30 entry fee by June 30. Financial assistance is available upon request. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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