By S. Kalekar
These are contests/grants/residencies for fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and journalism, and they have awards up to $30,000. A couple of the deadlines are in April. The prizes are, very loosely, divided geographically.
Waterston Desert Writing Prize
This prize is for a proposed book of literary non-fiction that illustrates artistic excellence, sensitivity to place, and desert literacy – with the desert both as subject and setting. “It is recommended the writing sample submitted is part of the proposed project or closely represents it in content and style.” Apart from the cash award, there is also a residency at PLAYA in Summer Lake, Oregon, as well as a reading and reception at the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon.
Value: $3,000, residency
Deadline: 1 May 2026
Open for: All writers
Details here and here.
confluence Poetry Prize: Death and dying
“The 2026 confluence Poetry Prize invites your submission of one Japanese short form poem on the theme of death and dying. We will award $500 in total prize money for the best poems on this theme that expand our capacity for imagining and illuminating this human existence.” They have detailed guidelines, including, “Your poem must be written in a Japanese short form, broadly understood. For example, you may submit a haiku, tanka, haibun, tanka prose, haiga, tanka art, haiku sequence, rengay, split sequence, renku, or any other form that derives organically from the traditions of haiku or tanka in English, Japanese, or other languages. This includes experimental forms.
You may submit a collaborative poem, created together with others. Should you do so, please identify the name and location of each contributor.
Your poem must be in English. You may submit work originally written in a language other than English; in that case, please include both the original and English translation, and credit the translator.” Submission is via a form.
Deadline: 1 May 2026
Length: 1 poem
Pay: Total prize pool of $500
Details here.
CINTAS Foundation: Fellowship in Creative Writing
This is a creative writing fellowship for writers having Cuban citizenship or direct lineage (having a Cuban parent or grandparent). Applications can be in English or Spanish. Fellows who are not U.S. citizens and who are living abroad must provide a U.S. taxpayer identification number when they accept the fellowship to receive payment. The foundation also offers fellowships for other disciplines as well. A work sample is part of the submission requirement.
Value: $25,000
Deadline: 1 May 2026
Open for: Writers having Cuban citizenship or direct lineage
Details here (scroll down), here (work sample form), here (application form).
Tiny Weird Objects Residency
This is an Ireland-based residency. “The Dock is seeking expressions of interest for Tiny Weird Projects, a mini-residency for writers who need time and space to work through fledgling ideas.
Through a simple submission process, writers can apply for a Monday-to-Friday stay in a self-catering apartment by the River Shannon. This is a self-directed residency, however writers can propose an optional public reading, talk, or other event at The Dock with team support during their stay. There is no concrete output expected.
The Dock will cover the cost of accommodation, a daily stipend of €20/day, and an artist’s fee for the optional public event. The apartment is located in the centre of Carrick-on-Shannon, a short walk from The Dock.” Please note, there’s no travel stipend.
Value: €20/day for 5-day residency; optional event payment of €250
Deadline: 16 May 2026
Open for: All writers
Details here and here.
FRONTIERS Science Journalism Residency Program
“FRONTIERS, an initiative funded by the European Research Council, invites applications from science journalists worldwide for immersive residencies at European research institutions. These residencies, spanning 3 to 5 months, offer unparalleled opportunities to delve into frontier research across diverse disciplines, including social sciences and humanities.” They have detailed guidelines, including, “This round particularly encourages proposals covering less represented scientific fields and host institutions from countries that have received fewer residencies to date. Prospective applicants are encouraged to browse the Fellows Profiles page to explore what projects have been selected so far.” And, “Selected journalists will embark on residencies at European research institutions, pursuing independent reporting ideas or delving into specific frontier research fields.” Please note, eligible journalists should find and contact an eligible host institution. There are up to 10 fellowships available. This is the call for the fourth round (final call) for this fellowship.
Value: Up to €6,000 per month for 3 to 5 months
Deadline: 25 May 2026 (17:00 CEST)
Open for: Science journalists worldwide
Details here.
Livingston Press Changing Light Prize for a Novel-in-Verse
This is an annual prize run by Livingston Press, affiliated with the University of Alabama. It is for a novel-in-verse; the recommended length is 90-160 pages.
Value: $500, standard contract, 20 copies
Deadline: 25 May 2026
Open for: Unspecified
Details here.
Humane Education Network: A Voice for Animals
“The Humane Education Network and the Animal Welfare Institute are excited to present the 36th annual A Voice for Animals Contest for high schoolers across the globe. Our contest is an exciting opportunity to make a difference for animals and possibly get rewarded in the process.”It is open for students in two categories: for 14-15-year-olds, and for 16-18-year-olds (see guidelines). “Participants are invited to submit an essay or video entry that addresses either the mistreatment of one animal species or one cause of animal suffering; or the preservation of one endangered species, occurring anywhere in the world, and potential solutions to alleviate animal suffering. The entry should fall into one of the following categories: Companion Animals, Farm Animals, Wildlife on Land, Wildlife in the Oceans, Insects/Invertebrates, or this year’s special category: The Endangered Species Act. You will need to choose one of these when you submit your entry..”Participants must currently be attending middle or high school, or be home-schooled, and less than 19 years of age (see guidelines). Entries can be essays or videos. They have detailed guidelines.
Value: Unspecified
Deadline: 25 May 2026
Open for: All 14 to 18 year old students
Details here and here (download rules)
The Irene Adler Prize
The Irene Adler Prize winner will receive a $1,000 US scholarship. The competition is open to women from any country, commencing or continuing to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D degree in journalism, creative writing, or literature at a recognized post-secondary institution in 2026-27. One of the application requirements is a 500-word essay on one of these five prompts on the website:
— Illustrate what you have learned and gained from meeting a person (or people) from another culture.
— What development in recent history makes you most optimistic about the future of women?
— Describe the most unforgettable dream – asleep or awake – you have ever had.
— Write a fictional short story with a female protagonist and a dramatic twist ending.
— Show what the rise of women’s sports worldwide means through non-fiction storytelling.
The prize is intended to be applied to educational expenses such as tuition fees – please see the rules.
Value: $1,000; up to two prizes of $250 each
Deadline: 30 May 2026
Open for: Women writers
Details here (download 2026 submission guidelines and rules).
Speculative Literature Foundation: Older Writers Grant
They offer grants for writers of speculative literature, spread out across the year; during May, they’ll be open for The Older Writers Grant for writers who are at least 50 years old at the time of grant application, and is intended to assist such writers who are just starting to work at a professional level. The writing application sample could be of fiction, poetry, drama, or creative nonfiction, of speculative literature. A writing sample (see guidelines) is part of the application. They are scheduled to open soon for submissions.
Value: $1,000
Reading period: 1-31 May 2026
Open for: Writers of speculative literature who are at least 50 years old
Details here and here.
The Black Orchid Novella Award
This is an international contest for novellas (15,000-20,000 words) that confirm to the tradition of Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe series (see guidelines). They should focus on the deductive skills of the sleuth. They are not looking for derivatives of the Nero Wolfe series, or the milieu. Submission is via a form.
Value: $1,000 and publication
Deadline: 31 May 2026 – see FAQ
Details here (also download the flyer from here.)
Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest
This is an international fiction contest. While the story should appeal to the audience of this magazine, all themes will be considered. Their readers have interests in music, social history, literature, politics, art, film and theater, particularly that of the counter-culture of mid-twentieth century America. Ideally, stories should not exceed 3,000 words, but those up to 4,000 words will be considered.
Value: $150
Deadline: 31 May 2026
Open for: All writers
Details here.
The Heron’s Nest: Peggy Willis Lyles Haiku Awards
This poetry contest is run by The Heron’s Nest, a quarterly online journal of haiku. Submit up to 2 haiku for this contest.
Value: $200, $100, $50
Deadline: 1 June 2026
Open for: All poets
Details here.
SETI Institute: Cosmic Consciousness Literary Residency
This is an international, remote residency, over 18 months. They invite “writers and poets working in all areas of literature, including, but not limited to, speculative fiction/sci-fi and experimental writing and poetry. The artworks resulting from this residency should reflect and expand on the SETI Institute’s “Intelligence and Consciousness” research division, whose central science questions are: “What is the nature of consciousness?” and “What is the nature and evolution of intelligence?” …. Areas of creative research may engage with the following topics:
- Experiments in language and consciousness
- Alien intelligence and cultural exchange
- Transhumanism and posthuman consciousness
- AI and consciousness
- Multisensory poetry and multiple intelligences”
They also say, artists are expected to develop a project (not necessarily a book) on the residency theme, and be willing and interested to consult with SETI Institute scientists and partners. Also, “The Residency begins on October 1 each cycle. During the first year, Residents will present their work directions, issues, and development status to the SETI Institute AIR program. The project will be completed by May of Year 2 and presented at a public SETI Institute event in Year 2.”
Value: $10,000
Deadline: 1 June 2026
Open for: All writers
Details here (BlueSky post) and here.
The Novel Prize
“This is a biennial award for a book-length work of literary fiction written in English by published and unpublished writers around the world. It is managed collaboratively by Giramondo Publishing, Fitzcarraldo Editions and New Directions.
The Novel Prize offers US$10,000 to the winner and simultaneous publication of their novel in Australia and New Zealand by Giramondo, in the UK and Ireland by Fitzcarraldo Editions, and in North America by New Directions. The prize recognises works which explore and expand the possibilities of the form, and are innovative and imaginative in style.
The Novel Prize is managed by the three publishers working in collaboration … Writers based in Asia and Oceania which includes Australia, New Zealand, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia) should submit to Giramondo. Writers based in the Americas should submit via New Directions; and writers based in Africa and Europe should submit to Fitzcarraldo Editions.”
Value: $10,000, publication
Deadline: 1 June 2026
Open for: All writers
Details here (Giramondo), here (Fitzcarraldo), and here (New Directions)
(The Novel Prize runs alongside the Poetry in Translation Prize – closed now – a biennial award for an outstanding poetry collection translated into English; also see The Fitzcarraldo Editions Essay Prize – closed now.)
The Dream Foundry Emerging Writers Contest
This is a contest for emerging writers of speculative fiction (it is for writers who are relatively new to paid or incoming-earning publication of speculative short fiction in English; please check detailed eligibility rules on their website). Send a speculative fiction story of up to 10,000 words. They want short speculative fiction only (science fiction, fantasy, weird fiction, etc.); do not send stories that have no speculative element. Submission is via a form on their website.
Value: $1,500, $750, $400
Deadline: 8 June 2026
Open for: Emerging writers of speculative fiction
Details here.
Pulitzer Center: Global Reporting Grants
“The Pulitzer Center’s global reporting grants support in-depth, high-impact reporting on critical issues that are often overlooked in the media. This is our “catch-all” grant, so there are no restrictions on topic or reporting location. Staff and freelance journalists are eligible worldwide.” And, “There is no deadline for applications; grants are awarded on a rolling basis. Awards cover reporting costs and are based on reasonable, detailed budgets. Most awards for international travel are between $5,000 and $10,000, but may be more or less depending on circumstances. … We support projects across all media platforms and encourage ambitious proposals that combine print, photography, audio, and/or video for one or more news outlets. … Grants are open to reporters, photographers, radio/audio journalists, television/video journalists, and documentary filmmakers.”
Value: Up to $10,000
Deadline: Ongoing
Open for: Journalists worldwide
Details here.
(A couple of contests with later deadlines:
— PEN/Heim Translation Fund Grants: This international grant is to support the translation of book-length works of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, or drama that have not previously appeared in English in print or have appeared only in an outdated or otherwise flawed translation. Works should be translations-in-progress, as the grant aims to provide support for completion. The works must be translated into English. Projects may have up to two translators. There are various submission requirements, including a translation sample of 8-10 pages. The grants, for all writers, are for $2,000-4,000, and the deadline is 15th June 2026; details here, here, and here.
(PEN America is also open for other grants; the PEN/Bare Life Review Grants which recognize literary works by immigrant and refugee writers, details here, here, and here; the PEN/Phyllis Naylor Grant for Children’s and Young Adult Novelists,forpublished YA/children’s writers (by a US trade publisher), details here, here, and here; and PEN/Jean Stein Grant for Literary Oral History, details here, here, and here; grant amounts vary for all, and please check individual links for eligibility and submission requirements; they all close for applications on 15th June 2026.)
— The Norton Writer’s Prize: This is a non-fiction prize for undergraduates in the US, who are enrolled in an accredited 2- or 4-year college or university, enrolled during the 2025-26 year, and aged 18 and above. They will accept literacy narratives, literary and other textual analyses, reports, profiles, evaluations, arguments, memoirs, proposals, multimodal pieces, and other forms of original non-fiction pieces of 1,000-3,000 words. Entries require nomination by an instructor. There are three prizes of $1,000 each, and the deadline is 15 June 2026; details here (you can download rules). — Academy of American Poets: James Laughlin Award: This is for a second full-length poetry manuscript by a US poet, contracted by a publisher. Manuscripts have to be 48-100 pages long. Translations and new editions of previously published books are not eligible. Apart from a cash prize of $5,000, the poet also receives an all-expenses-paid weeklong residency at The Betsy Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. The deadline is 15 June 2026. Details here and here.
— Richard J. Margolis Award: The award is for non-fiction writers of social justice journalism. It is for a promising new journalist or essayist whose work combines warmth, humour, wisdom and concern with social justice. Applications should include 2-3 non-fiction writing samples, up to 30 pages. At least one sample should be non-memoir material. The prize is $10,000 and residency at Blue Mountain Centre artists’ colony; $1,000 for runners-up. The deadline is 1 July 2026; details here and here.)
WRITERS IN THE US/CANADA
(Also see the Waterston Desert Writing Prize, the CINTAS Foundation Fellowship for Cuban writers, the Irene Adler Prize, the PEN grants, the Norton Writer’s Prize, the Academy of American Poets: James Laughlin Award, and the Richard J. Margolis Award in the international section above.)
The Rumpus: Three grants / fellowships
The Rumpus is now open for one grant and two fellowships for writers who are in the US:
— The Rumpus/Harnisch Microgrants: These arefor people who genuinely have the financial and technological need; they will host two grant cycles a year and will award 10 writers “a microgrant of $1,000 and a technology package (Macbook Neo, Airpods Pro 3, 1-year subscription to Apple Creator Studio). These microgrants are designed to help writers who need material support to further or finish a writing project. … To apply, we ask for a brief bio, creative resumé and project description with details on how the grant will be used. … Eligibility for this grant program is open but applications from emerging writers who have published one or no books will be prioritized. Grantees must reside in the United States.”
— The Rumpus Editorial Fellowship: These are two 6-month editorial fellowships “with a stipend of $12,000 and editorial mentorship for candidates who are interested in the practice of literary editing. Fellows will be expected to work 20 hours a week, and the stipend will be paid monthly. Duties include reading and responding to Rumpus submissions, supporting senior editors, and each fellow will have the opportunity to develop an editorial feature of their choosing. …. Ideal candidates should be familiar with the Google Workplace suite, Microsoft Word and using Track Changes. … This is a remote position and fellows can participate from anywhere. Fellows must be US citizens.”
— The Rumpus Writing Fellowships: These will offer“two writers a year a $10,000 stipend and mentorship to write two pieces of fiction or creative nonfiction to be published on The Rumpus during the course of the fellowship.
This fellowship is open to emerging writers who have not published a book and have five (5) or fewer essay or story publications. This is a remote position and fellows can participate from anywhere. …
To apply, you will be asked to submit a cover letter, brief bio, resumé, and a prose sample of 5,000 words or fewer. Fellows must be U.S. citizens.”
Value: See above
Deadline: 30 April 2026 for the three Rumpus grants / fellowships
Open for: US writers
Details here (see the relevant categories)
(The Rumpus is also open for magazine submissions in various categories, see here.)
RBC PEN Canada New Voices Award
This is a prize for new Canadian writers, ages 17 and over; unpublished writers (see guidelines) “are encouraged to submit short stories, creative nonfiction, scripts, journalism, and poetry collections.”
Value: CAD3,000 and mentorship
Deadline: 7 May 2026
Open for: Unpublished Canadian writers (see guidelines)
Details here and here.
CNO Naval History Essay Contest – Professional Historian
This contest is supported by the US Naval Institute. Their website says, “The CNO invites entrants to submit essays that apply lessons from throughout naval history to solving today’s Navy challenges.” See guidelines for details on the theme. Essays have to be up to 3,500 words. This contest is open to: professional historians (including history museum curators, archivists, history teachers/professors, persons with history-related doctoral degrees; authors of books on naval history (not including self-published works); civilians who have published articles in an established historical or naval journal or magazine. They invite essays for various other prizes as well, with different deadlines – see here.
Value: $5,000 and $2,500
Deadline: 30 May 2026
Open for: See above
Details here and here.
(Also see the Veterans’ Contest, run by The Iowa Review; it is for US military veterans and active duty personnel, writing in any genre and about any subject matter. Submissions will open from 1st to 31st May; send poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction. The prizes are $1,000, $750, $500; details here.)
Sambasivan & Parikh and Free Spirit Publishing: 2026 Asian Voices in Children’s Literature
This will be their first annual Asian Voices in Children’s Literature Writing Contest, open for writers of Asian heritage in the US. It is for children’s books “for ages 0–4 (50–125 words) or for ages 4–8 (300–1,000 words)”. The books “Must feature authentic, realistic characters of Asian heritage
- Must focus on one or more of the following topics: resilience, character development, self-esteem, identity, getting along with others, engaging with family and community, or other topics related to positive childhood development
- Must be connected in writers of Asian heritage in the US some way to the writer’s personal experience”
The contest is run by Sambasivan & Parikh and Free Spirit Publishing. Free Spirit Publishing is an imprint of Teacher Created Materials (TCM); they also run the Black Voices in Children’s Literature and Latino Voices in Children’s Literature contests, both of which are yet to announce their 2026 submission dates. Apart from a cash prize, winner receives other opportunities as well, including a meeting with the publishers. Winner will be considered for publication but this is not guaranteed. A slot will open on their Submittable page for this category during their submission period (there are other opportunities listed there, too); or you can submit to the contest by other means (see guidelines). Please send your entries only during the submission period. Value: $1,000, $500, $300
Submission period: 4th to 31st May 2026
Open for: Writers of Asian heritage in the US
Details here.
The Bard Fiction Prize
This is an annual fiction prize for young US-based writers. Their website says, “The Bard Fiction Prize is awarded to a promising emerging writer who is an American citizen aged 39 years or younger at the time of application. In addition to a $30,000 cash award, the winner receives an appointment as writer in residence at Bard College for one semester, without the expectation that he or she teach traditional courses. The recipient gives at least one public lecture and meets informally with students.” Also, “To apply, candidates should write a cover letter explaining the project they plan to work on while at Bard and submit a CV, along with three copies of the published book they feel best represents their work. No manuscripts will be accepted.”
Value: $30,000, residency
Deadline: 1 June 2026
Open for: Young US writers
Details here.
ABA Journal / Ross Writing Contest for Legal Short Fiction
This is a fiction contest for US writers (see guidelines). The ABA Journal is the flagship magazine of the American Bar Association. Send a story of up to 5,000 words that illuminates the role of the law and/or lawyers in modern society.
Value: $5,000
Deadline: 1 June 2026
Open for: US writers
Details here.
The Amerind Museum Artist in Residence
This is a call for early-career Native American writers. “The Amerind Museum, Dragoon, AZ, seeks Artist in Residence applications from emerging Native American artists. The selected artists must be in residence at the Amerind Museum for 1 month at a time to be determined between the selected artists and Amerind’s staff. The selected artist(s) will receive housing, workspace, and a $3,000/month stipend. The artist will be asked to give a public talk about their work and/or hold some open studio hours. … We welcome visual artists, performing artists, and literary artists. We are seeking Indigenous artists who are at the beginning of their artistic careers. Artists must be enrolled members of a state or federally recognized Native American Tribe. …The artist must have reliable transportation.”
Value: $3,000, residency
Deadline: Open now
Open for: Early-career Native American writers
Details here (scroll down to Call For Artist In Residence Applications).
PRIZES FOR WRITERS IN UK AND IRELAND
(Also see Tiny Weird Objects in the international section, above.)
Molly Keane Creative Writing Award
This is an open competition for people resident on the island of Ireland for a short story of up to 2,000 words. There is no age limit (see guidelines).
Value: €500
Deadline: 1 May 2026
Open for: Irish residents
Details here.
The Future Bookshelf: Mo Siewcharran Prize
This is for underrepresented writers in the UK. “The initiative … aims to nurture talent from under-represented backgrounds writing in English. Run as part of Hachette UK’s The Future Bookshelf scheme, the prize was launched in 2019.” The prize is hosted by different divisions of the publisher each year. “Hachette UK’s The Future Bookshelf is running the Mo Siewcharran Prize for its sixth year to help discover unpublished fiction writers from Black, Asian, mixed heritage and/or multiple ethnic backgrounds.
For 2026, the prize will be hosted by Bookouture and we are looking for page-turning commercial fiction within the genres of psychological thriller and romantic fiction.” One of the submission requirements is the first 10,000 words of the manuscript.” Apart from the cash prizes, there are various non-cash prizes, including a meeting with literary agents. “The winner’s entry will also be taken forward to Bookouture’s acquisitions meeting and considered for full digital publication under our no advance 45% royalty model. Bookouture does not guarantee that the winner will be offered a publishing contract.”
Value: £2,500, £1,500, £750
Deadline: 2 May 2026
Open for: BAME writers in the UK
Details here.
Creative Futures Writers’ Award
This is for writers of underrepresented backgrounds (see eligibility here) in the UK. Send one piece of writing – a poem (up to 50 lines), fiction (up to 2,000 words), or creative non-fiction (up to 2,000 words). “The theme for 2026 is ‘Material.’ The theme is a creative prompt, not a requirement.” You can enter online (deadline 5th May) or if submitting by post, your work must reach by 6th May 2026.
Value: £75, £50, £25 in each genre
Deadline: See above
Open for: Underrepresented writers in the UK
Details here.
The British Society of Magazine Editors: BSME Young Writers’ Prize
This is for UK residents aged 18-25 from across the UK. No previous experience is needed. “Submit a short piece of original writing based on the subject of ‘something you love’. This could be a feature, review, opinion piece, a column, personal essay or a fun piece of creative writing based on your life experience or a news event or a topic that interests you. We are looking for writing that comes from a real place — your experience, your opinion, your obsession with something in the news or just in life. Voice-led, specific, yours.” Apart from a cash prize, winner also gets mentorship and work experience placement with a UK magazine or online publication; top 10 runners-up get work experience opportunity or mentoring; the top 20 runners-up will be invited to an online seminar. Entry is via a form.
Value: £12,000
Deadline: 8 May 2026
Open for: Young UK residents
Details here.
RTÉ Short Story Competition
This is a fiction contest from RTÉ Radio 1, for those who live in Ireland, or have an Irish passport. Stories must be 1,800-2,000 words. All 10 winning/shortlisted stories will be broadcast.
Value: €5,000, €4,000 and €3,000; the other shortlisted authors will each receive €300
Deadline: 15 May 2025
Open for: Ireland-based/Irish authors
Details here (see various tabs) and here.
Bio: S. Kalekar is the pseudonym of a regular contributor to this magazine. She can be reached here.