Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2026: £5,000 Award for Emerging Writers
Apply for the £5,000 Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2026
The Commonwealth Foundation has officially announced the 2026 edition of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, an annual writing competition that awards £5,000 to the best unpublished short fiction from across the Commonwealth.
This prestigious contest is free to enter and welcomes submissions from citizens of Commonwealth countries aged 18 and above. Writers can submit original works between 2,000 and 5,000 words, written in any of the approved languages or translated into English.
What Makes the Commonwealth Short Story Prize So Prestigious?
The prize is one of the most competitive and respected literary awards in the world, offering a unique opportunity for emerging and established writers to gain global recognition. Each year, stories are judged regionally across Africa, Asia, Canada and Europe, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, with five regional winners and one overall winner selected.
The overall winner receives £5,000, while each regional winner earns £2,500. If the winning entry is a translation, the translator also receives additional prize money, emphasizing the Foundation’s commitment to linguistic diversity and cross-cultural storytelling.
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Who Can Apply for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2026?
Eligibility is open to any citizen of a Commonwealth country aged 18 years or older. The contest accepts short fiction across all genres, including science fiction, historical fiction, crime, romance, speculative, and literary fiction.
Entries must be unpublished and remain unpublished until May 1, 2026. Submissions in languages like Bengali, Chinese, Creole, French, Greek, Malay, Portuguese, Swahili, Tamil, and Turkish are welcome, alongside English entries. Translated stories are also accepted, and both the author and translator are recognized if the piece wins.
Prize Benefits: More Than Just £5,000
Beyond the prize money, the Commonwealth Short Story Prize opens doors to international visibility and career growth. Winning and shortlisted writers often see their works featured in major literary magazines and anthologies across the Commonwealth.
Past winners have gone on to secure publishing deals, book contracts, and global speaking invitations, making this prize a powerful springboard for any writer’s career. The recognition offers not only financial reward but also validation from a panel of highly esteemed judges drawn from all five regions.
How to Submit Your Entry for the 2026 Prize
Applications are open via the official Commonwealth Foundation website. Writers are advised to carefully review the entry guidelines before submission.
Deadline: November 1, 2025
FAQ: Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2026
Q1: What is the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2026?
A1: It’s an annual £5,000 award from the Commonwealth Foundation for the best unpublished short fiction by writers from Commonwealth countries.
Q2: Who can apply for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2026?
A2: Any citizen of a Commonwealth country aged 18 or older can submit an unpublished short story of 2,000–5,000 words.
Q3: How much is the prize money?
A3: The overall winner receives £5,000, and four regional winners each get £2,500. Translators of winning stories also receive additional prize money.
Q4: What languages are accepted?
A4: Entries are accepted in several languages, including English, Bengali, French, Portuguese, Chinese, Swahili, Tamil, Turkish, and more.
Q5: Is there an entry fee for the prize?
A5: No, the Commonwealth Short Story Prize is completely free to enter.
Q6: Can I submit a story that has won another competition?
A6: Yes, as long as the story remains unpublished in any language, it can be submitted.
Q7: When is the deadline for entries?
A7: The application deadline is November 1, 2025. Entries submitted after that date will not be considered.
Q8: How are winners selected?
A8: Stories are judged regionally by an expert panel from each of the five Commonwealth regions, followed by final deliberation by all judges.
Q9: Can a translated story win?
A9: Yes. Translated stories are eligible, and if such a story wins, the translator receives additional prize money.
Q10: Where can I apply?
A10: Interested writers should apply through the Commonwealth Foundation’s official website.
