By S. Kalekar
These are calls for contests/grants/residencies in fiction, non-fiction, poetry, playwriting, and journalism, awarding up to £20,000 (approximately $26,000). These are, very loosely, divided geographically. A couple of deadlines are in July.
INTERNATIONAL CONTESTS
Sapling Lit Eco Poetry Contest
“For this contest, we are looking for poetry that gives imaginative and vivid descriptions of place. We want poems that paint a beautiful picture in our head and get us to truly care about the natural world around us. Your poetry shouldn’t just describe a scene, it should make the reader feel the spirit of your setting, and the soul of the world. … Reprints and Simultaneous submissions are accepted. The winning poem will receive $30 USD as well as being featured in Issue 1 of Sapling Lit.” Poems should be under 30 lines.
Value: $30
Deadline: 28 July 2026
Open for: All poets
Details here.
Harbor Review: The Washburn Prize
“The prize is awarded once a year for a micro chapbook, which Harbor Review will publish digitally on our website. People of color and marginalized folks are encouraged to apply. Micro chapbooks should be exactly 10 poems long. Manuscripts over 10 poems will not be read.” There is a submission fee to enter this prize, but BIPOC writers and previous finalists can submit for free.
Value: $200
Deadline: 31 July 2025
Open for: BIPOC and Previous Finalists (fee-free)
Details here – see Harbor Review – Prizes: Free Submission (BIPOC and Previous Finalists) tab on Submittable.
Broad Ripple Review Prizes
This magazine wants prose up to 4,000 words — literary fiction (including flash) and creative non-fiction (including memoir, lyric essay, and narrative non-fiction), as well as poetry (send up to 6). “Broad Ripple Review is an online literary magazine publishing work that is formally precise, emotionally resonant, and intellectually alive. We value writing that unfolds with intention, offering layered insight, lyrical control, and structural ambition.
We publish literary fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and critical book reviews and interviews. Work that relies on genre conventions without being firmly rooted in literary tradition will not be a fit.” They are reading submissions for their next issue. They offer a modest honorarium for published work.
See their note regarding their prizes: “All submissions received or currently pending in our queue between May 1st and July 31st are eligible for our annual prize awards. Winners receive $200 and publication. There is no additional fee to submit or be considered for the prizes. Please treat your submission as you would any other and submit to the appropriate open reading period.”
Value: Prizes of $200 each
Deadline: 31 July 2026
Open for: All writers
Details here and here.
International Women’s Media Foundation: Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice in the Americas
These grants are for women and nonbinary journalists reporting on reproductive health, rights, and justice in the Americas. “This initiative funds reporting on issues that impact people’s daily lives in the region, including abortion and contraception access, maternal health, reproductive health policy and abortion bans.” And, “A strong preference will be given to multimedia reporting teams focusing on Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, as well as transnational reporting teams exploring the connections of ultra-right groups and their links to U.S.-based organizations and global networks. This also includes proposals that explore the following themes:
- Exportation of governance models influencing leaders abroad through deregulation, expanded executive power, and weakened public institutions.
- Digital media as organizing infrastructure used to build cross-border anti-rights political networks.
- Gender and reproductive rights as a central battleground for advancing broader authoritarian agendas.
- Austerity framed as economic reform that disproportionately harms vulnerable communities.
- Financial and institutional networks coordinating funding, messaging, and political strategies across countries.
- Crime and migration narratives used to justify expanded surveillance, militarization, and executive authority.
- Cross-border adaptation of strategies and messaging tailored to local political contexts.
- Investigative journalism as a key lens for tracing links between funding, institutions, media, and political actors.
- Democratic institutions under pressure through the erosion of democratic norms, rights, and institutional safeguards.
Grants will vary depending on the need, scope, and location of the project. Grant funds may be used to cover travel and logistics, security costs, insurance, and other reporting expenses.” Journalists can be employees or freelance, and apply individually or as part of a team.
Value: Unspecified
Deadline: 2 August 2026
Open for: Women and nonbinary journalists
Details here and here (see the relevant category).
The Derricotte/Eady Prize
“The Derricotte/Eady Prize, named after Cave Canem co-founders Toi Derricotte and Cornelius Eady, spotlights chapbook-length manuscripts by Black poets.
Awarded to one poet annually, the Derricotte/Eady Prize recipient receives a monetary prize, the publication of their manuscript through Black Lawrence Press, a residency at The Writer’s Room at The Betsy Hotel-South Beach, and a featured reading at the O, Miami Festival in April.” They also say, “All unpublished, original collections of poems written in English by Black poets. … Cave Canem defines Black poets as any poet who identifies as a member of the African Diaspora.” Submissions must be 25-30 pages in length. Please note, submissions for the 2027 and 2028 Derricotte/Eady Prize will run concurrently.
Value: $1,000, residency
Deadline: 7 August 2026
Open for: Black poets
Details here.
Ligonier Valley Writer’s Flash Fiction Contest
“Submissions are now open for LVW’s 21st annual Flash Fiction Contest, which awards cash prizes and does not charge an entry fee.
This year’s topic: What’s behind the door?” Apart from the three winners, the shortlisted writers’ stories will also be listed on their website. “All six winning stories will be edited by a professional editor. Their authors will also receive a one-year complimentary membership to Ligonier Valley Writers. We’ll hold a Flash Fiction reading event shortly before Halloween.” Submission is via a form.Value: $50, $25, $15
Deadline: 15 August 2026
Open for: All writers
Details here.
Ink of Ages Fiction Prize
The contest accepts historical and mythological short stories. For historical fiction: “A story set at least fifty years ago, which takes the social, political, or cultural atmosphere of the past into consideration. Alternative history – events that could have happened – is allowed, but no time travel.
Stories set in prehistory, before written records, are welcome if they plausibly evoke the lived experience, worldview, or oral traditions of that time.”
For mythological fiction: “A story set in the past, at least fifty years ago for this contest, which clearly draws from a myth, mythic figure, or cultural belief e.g., Circe from Greek Mythology, or Ravana from Southeast Asia, yakkas from Sri Lankan folklore.
Stories do not need to be set in the time or place of the original myth.
Fantasy elements are welcome, but stories must remain rooted in specific mythological or folkloric traditions.
Global myths and oral traditions are encouraged; not all cultures had vast pantheons.”
They have two age categories: adults and youth (13-17 years), and “Each author may submit one story strictly between 1,500 and 2,000 words. Youth entries are strictly between 800–1,000 words.” The prize is run by World History Encyclopedia and sponsored by Oxford University Press. Please read the Licensing Terms and Conditions on their submission form carefully.
Value: $500 for the winner in the adults category; second and third prizes are $100 and $50 respectively to spend in the WHE store; youth winner gets custom artwork inspired by their story
Deadline: 22 August 2026
Open for: All writers
Details here, here, and here
Lunch Ticket: Diana Woods Award in Creative Nonfiction
This award is for a creative non-fiction piece of up to 5,000 words on any subject. The contest is open in February and August.
Value: $250
Reading period: 1-31 August 2026
Open for: All writers
Details here.
Lunch Ticket: The Gabo Prize for Literature in Translation & Multilingual Texts
Translators and authors of multilingual texts are encouraged to submit their work for The Gabo Prize. Writers should indicate whether the translation falls under poetry or prose, and include the original work along with your translation. Original, bilingual work qualifies for the Gabo Prize. The contest is open in February and August.
Value: $200
Reading period: 1-31 August 2026
Open for: All translators
Details here.
Fondation Jan Michalski Residencies for Writers
These are residencies at the foot of the Jura mountains in Montricher, Switzerland, and they are open to all types of writers engaged in literary creation. While they give priority to writers and translators, they are also open to any other discipline as long as writing is at the heart of the project. “A percentage of the residencies are dedicated to nature writing, a form of fiction or creative non-fiction that raises awareness of nature, prepares for a sustainable future, and helps to better understand socio-environmental interconnections and the impact of human actions on nature.” There are no age or nationality restrictions. Writers working on a project with a collaborator can apply in pairs. Applications can be in English or French. Excerpts from your writing, both current and previous, can be in any language.
Value: Round-trip travel, CHF400 per week
Deadline: 31 August 2026 (17:00 CET time)
Open for: All writers
Details here and here.
Stiftung Künstlerdorf Schöppingen Scholarship
These are for professionals various disciplines, including literature and art. Collectives can also apply.
Value: €1,500 per month (less rental and operational cost) for individuals, residency at Schöppingen, Germany; up to €3,000 for collectives
Deadline: 31 August 2026
Open for: All writers
Details here and here
The Val Wood Prize for Creative Writing: Titles
This year, they want stories on the ‘Titles’ theme; they “we invite writers to create unique stories that are shaped by, and reflect, the title they choose.
A title is often the first doorway into a story. It can suggest mood, setting, character, conflict, or mystery. A strong title can stay with a reader long after the final page, and for this competition we want entries that show how powerfully a title can inspire a story of its own.” For this round, they also say, “Story requirement: Entries must be based on the title of one of Val Wood’s books, and the story must clearly reflect the chosen title.” Regarding genre, they say, “Any (except poetry or brutality/graphic/violent content)”. Please see their detailed guidelines. They want works of up to 1,500 words. The competition is open to anyone over 16 years of age.
Value: £100
Deadline: 31 August 2026
Open for: All writers
Details here.
Preservation Foundation Contest: Biographical non-fiction
This is an international contest for unpublished writers (those who have never published extensively in any form and have never earned over $250.00 by their writing skills in any single year – see guidelines). Their upcoming deadline is for the biographical non-fictioncategory: “A biographical entry must be a true story of an individual(s) known to the author personally–not a fictional or historical character. Autobiography, of course, must be a true story about the author’s life, the whole or an episode. Biographical stories, especially those from older people, or about them by children and grandchildren, are especially appropriate for our mission–to “preserve the extraordinary stories of ‘ordinary’ people.” ”
Entries should be 1,000-5,000 words. They want all entries, regardless of whether or not they win, to be on their website as long as the Foundation exists (see guidelines).
Value: $200, $100
Deadline: 31 August 2026
Open for: Unpublished writers (see guidelines)
Details here.
(They’re also open for the Travel Nonfiction contest for unpublished writers, deadline end-October.)
The Iowa Short Fiction Award & John Simmons Short Fiction Award
These awards offer publication for two short story collections. Manuscripts must be at least 150 pages. They offer a standard publishing contract. Both winning manuscripts get publication under a standard University of Iowa Press contract. The prize is open for writers who have not published a volume of prose fiction.
Value: Standard University of Iowa Press contract
Deadline: 31 August 2026
Open for: Unspecified
Details here.
Amazon: Kindle Storyteller Award
This is an international award for those who publish their work through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing in English in any genre. Entrants must make the book available for sale in both digital and print versions through KDP between 1st May and 31st August 2026. The book must be at least 24 pages long, and can have a maximum of 2 co-authors. Please note, the books must be published through their KDP Select program (be only available on Amazon), and readers play a significant role in winner selection (see Terms & Conditions – which also lists ineligible countries/nationalities – and General Competition Questions / FAQ).
Value: £20,000
Deadline: 31 August 2026
Open for: Those publishing on Amazon KDP
Details here.
PEN/Robert J Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers
This is an award for 12 emerging fiction writers for their debut short story published during a given calendar year in a literary magazine, journal, or cultural website. Submitted stories must be published or forthcoming in the current calendar year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 2026)
Value: $2,000 each
Deadline: 1 September 2026
Open for: Debut short fiction writers
Details here and here.
Surel’s Place: An Artist in Residence Program
These are month-long residencies at Boise. “The program is open to professional visual, literary, and performance artists: painters, writers, musicians, architects, filmmakers, and choreographers… any artist who needs a place to focus. However, because of the property’s limitations and proximity to neighbors, this is not a place that can accommodate loud or terribly messy processes, such as welding or blacksmithing. We favor artists whose work is technically advanced, unique, attractive (need not be pretty!), and conceptually valuable. Work that is predominantly conceptual, that must be explained in order to attract a viewer, may not be met with as much enthusiasm by our jurists. In addition, because we ask our residents to interact with the public through one workshop and one final event, we welcome artists who desire to connect with an audience in these ways.” While a spouse/partner can accompany the artist (see guidelines), they cannot accommodate children or pets. Please read their terms carefully, including commission on all sales emanating from your residency. They have two annual deadlines to apply, 1 March and 1 September. Writing samples are part of the literary applicants’ requirements (see guidelines).
Value: Residency, $100/week + $300 travel stipend
Deadline: 1 September 2026 (For residences that occur during January-May of the following year)
Open for: All artists
Details here.
The Academy for Teachers – Stories Out of School Flash Fiction Contest
They want honest, unsentimental stories, of 6-499 words, about teachers and schools. The contest is open to all writers, whether or not they are a teacher. The story’s protagonist or narrator must be a K-12 teacher. Sentimentality is discouraged and education jargon is forbidden. The winning story will be published in Epiphany Magazine, and receive a cash prize.
Value: $1,000, and publication
Deadline: 6 September 2026
Open for: All writers
Details here.
(A couple of contests with later deadlines are:
— Academy of American Poets: Ambroggio Prize: This is an opportunity for US poets. They want a book-length poetry manuscript originally written in Spanish and with an English translation. Poets may translate their own work or collaborate with a translator who may or may not be a poet; the poet and translator must share the prize. The original manuscript in Spanish must be between 48 and 100 pages. Their website also says, established in 2017, the Ambroggio Prize is the only annual award of its kind in the United States that honors American poets whose first language is Spanish. The prize is $1,000 and publication; the deadline is 15 September 2026. Details here and here. The Academy of American Poets has other awards as well, both fee-free and fee-based – see their Submittable for all open calls.
— The Camargo Fellowship: This is their flagship program; a residency at Cassis, France is for artists (including writers, playwrights and translators) and scholars/thinkers, to think, create and connect. Applicants should have a publication and/or grant track record. Teams of up to 3 people can apply. They also welcome spouses/partners and dependent minor children – see guidelines. Fellowships span 10 weeks. The award is €350 per week (€3,500 for 10 weeks), basic coach class travel booked in advance for the fellow (see guidelines), and the deadline is 1 October 2026 (Webinar for interested participants on 3rd September – see the notice on their Submittable); details here, here, and here. They also say, “Please note that this year’s call will be the last to take place through an open public call.
Beginning in July 2027, the Camargo Foundation will implement a new selection process that will no longer be based on a public open call. This change is the result of a long process of collective reflection. If you are considering applying for a residency in Fall 2027 or Spring 2028, we encourage you to do so through the current open call.”
(Camargo has several other programs, divided into various types; Stopovers, Incubators, Horizons, In the Long Run, and Impromptus; click on them to see the various programs they offer under each category. Their open calls are here.)
— Fund for Investigative Journalism: Alicia Patterson Fellowships
These can be for six months (paying $20,000) or 12 months (paying $40,000) for in-depth written reporting. “Reporting projects must be for print/online publication (i.e., written projects), and they must be U.S. focused. Fellows aren’t required to live in the U.S., but the reporting project must be focused on the U.S., for publication in U.S. outlets.
Reporting projects should be in-depth and investigative in nature, and can cover any topic of public interest.” They also say, “Freelancers are strongly encouraged to apply for the fellowship. Applicants who are on staff full-time at media outlets may apply, if they intend to take a leave from their job for the fellowship.” The deadline is 1 October 2026. Details here – see the relevant category; they have other opportunities listed as well.)
WRITERS IN AUSTRALIA
University of Melbourne: Peter Blazey Fellowship
The Peter Blazey Fellowship is awarded annually to further a work in progress for those writers in the non-fiction fields of biography, autobiography and life writing. The writer must have a publishing record which can include books, chapters, articles or any other written works including online that are not self-published. A writing sample from the work in progress is part of the application. One fellowship is awarded each year.
Value: Up to AUD20,000
Deadline: 27 July 2026
Open for: Australian writers
Details here.
WRITERS IN US / CANADA
(Also see the International Women’s Media Foundation: Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice in the Americas,the Derricotte/Eady Prize, Surel’s Place: An Artist in Residence Program, Academy of American Poets: Ambroggio Prize and Fund for Investigative Journalism: Alicia Patterson Fellowships in the international section.)
Granum Foundation Prizes Submissions are open for the Granum Foundation Prize and the Granum Foundation Translation Prize. These are for works in progress, to help US-based writers complete substantive literary projects, including novels, memoirs, books of poetry, short story collections, and works in translation. Please note, applications will be capped once their submission quota is met, even if it is before the deadline. Applications are via forms on their website.
Value: The Granum Foundation Prize is $5,000, with up to three finalist prizes of with $500 or more each; and the Translation Prize is $1,500 or more
Deadline: 1 August 2026, or when filled
Open for: US-based writers
Details here.
WRITERS IN UK / IRELAND
RSL Giles St Aubyn Awards for Non-Fiction
This award, by the Royal Society of Literature, is for UK/Ireland-based writers of non-fiction, to buy them time for completing their first commissioned work (see guidelines). Only works to be published in the UK or Republic of Ireland, or by UK/Ireland-based publishers, are eligible. The award will also take into consideration the author’s financial need. Submission is via a form.
Value: £10,000, £5,000, £2,500
Deadline: 27 July 2026
Open for: UK/Ireland-based writers
Details here.
The Mustapha Matura and Alfred Fagon Awards
These are awards for UK-based playwrights of Caribbean or African descent.
The Mustapha Matura Award is an opportunity for UK-based playwrights of Caribbean or African descent, resident in the UK, who are 25 years or younger, for a play. The play must be a minimum of 40 pages, and does not need to have been produced (see guidelines). The prize is £3,000 and mentoring from a top Black British playwright. The deadline is 31 July 2026. Details here.
And submissions are also open for Alfred Fagon Awards for UK-based playwrights of Caribbean or African descent, resident in the UK, for a play. The award is £6,000, and the deadline is 31 July 2026. Details here.
(Please note, writers cannot enter both the Mustapha Matura Award and Alfred Fagon Award. Also see their Roland Rees Bursary.)
Value: £3,000 for the Mustapha Matura Award and £6,000 for Alfred Fagon Awards
Deadline: 31 July 2026 for both awards
Open for: UK-based playwrights of Caribbean or African descent
Details here and here
Mainstage Prize for Playwriting
Writers should submit a full-length horror play (approximately 70–120 minutes). “The Mainstage Prize champions playwrights who are thinking big. We’re interested in plays that:
- Have a strong sense of story, character, and theatrical momentum
- Use horror as a powerful storytelling engine
- Could realistically be staged at scale and engage a broad audience
- Combine ambition, clarity, and emotional impact
We encourage writers to explore horror in all its forms — psychological, political, supernatural, or social — but the work should clearly engage with fear, dread, unease, or the darker edges of human experience, and feel unmistakably theatrical and audience-facing.”
Apart from the cash prize, the winner also gets a rehearsed reading of the winning play, and mentorship opportunities with members of the judging panel.
Value: £10,000
Deadline: 1 August 2026
Open for: UK/Ireland based writers who have had at least one stage production
Details here.
Waterford Poetry Prize
This is for a poem of up to 40 lines, by a poet living in Ireland. There is no age limit; minors have to get a parent or guardian’s consent.
Value: €600, €400, €300
Deadline: 14 August 2026
Open for: Poets in Ireland
Details here.
John McGahern Award
This is a call to emerging writers of fiction resident in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Applicants must have had some fiction or short stories published in a recognised journal or anthology selected by an established publisher or editor. Application includes three samples of recent separate work of up to 500 words each.
Value: €2,500
Deadline: 16 August 2026
Open for: Those resident in Ireland
Details here.
Faber: The FAB Prize
This is for undiscovered BAME writers and illustrators, for books aimed at children. Entrants must be of black, Asian or minority ethnic background and UK- or Ireland-based. For writers, they want a maximum of 5,000 words of text (no minimum word count). Also, “There is no minimum word count and the maximum 5,000 words can be a sample of a longer work – it does not have to be a short story (though those are welcome too!)
We strongly advise you to complete your work as much as you can, even if you do not enter the whole manuscript: after the ceremony agents will request the full manuscript, so in order to get the most out of the prize, it is best to have the whole manuscript ready to go.
Please send in the complete story if the text is for a picture book. (Picture books should not be longer than 5000 words).” Entries must be text or artwork for children.
Value: £1,500 for the winner, £500 for the second place winner, and other non-cash prizes
Deadline: 21 August 2026
Open for: undiscovered BAME children’s writers in UK/Ireland
Details here.
Climate Playwriting Prize
This is an award for a full-length play (70 minutes or longer) by a UK-based playwright on the climate crisis. “We are looking for the best plays that engage meaningfully with the climate crisis.
For this prize, ‘climate’ is defined expansively: it includes the natural world and environmental change, but also the social, political, and cultural conditions connected to it. We are open to all approaches to this subject matter: the climate should be an important dramaturgical element of the play, with an impact on character and/or plot, but it doesn’t need to be the only theme. We are particularly interested in plays that go beyond explaining the problem, to explore what responding to the crisis means for us as people.” They also say, “Although the Globe is leading the prize, we encourage playwrights to develop scripts without a specific stage in mind – the prize producers will support the onward journey of the play to the most appropriate home.” And, “The Globe will option the winning play for production, with an aspiration to produce. Alternatively the award producers will support the writer to find a suitable home for the play.” Longlisted writers will receive short written feedback. Shortlisted writers will receive feedback in person.
Value: £15,000
Deadline: 1 September 2026
Open for: UK-based playwrights
Details here.
Bio: S. Kalekar is the pseudonym of a regular contributor to this magazine. She can be reached here.