Poetry Awards, Prizes, & Competitions
When I see poets' biographies in poetry magazines I always notice there are lots of awards, prizes and competition winners, many of which I have not previously heard about. Time for a list, I thought...
Click the underlined titles to link to the online page of the award / competition.
Note: For a more general year by year winner of many top awards see: List of years in poetry - Wikipedia
In the United Kingdom
Aesthetica Creative Writing Award
'The Aesthetica Creative Writing Award is celebrating 15 years of supporting outstanding writers. The Award was launched after the publication of Aesthetica Magazine, as a way to support the next generation of literary talent. Including both established and emerging practitioners to submit pieces on any theme, celebrating innovative poetry and short fiction.'
Alice Hunt Bartlett Prize - Wikipedia
Awarded by the Poetry Society of London for a collection of poetry. It is named after Alice Hunt Bartlett who was the American editor of the society's Poetry Review from 1923 to 1949. The prize ran from1966 to 1987.
The Alpine Fellowship Poetry Prize
Awarded for the best poetry on the theme of the Alpine Fellowship: in 2022 - Freedom. The winner will receive a £3,000 cash prize and will be invited to our symposium. Runners up will be invited to attend the symposium and travel expenses will be reimbursed up to a total of £500. Open to all nationalities and to anyone aged 18 and above. All entries must be written in English.
Hold an annual competition.
Anne Born Prize – The Poetry Society
'The Anne Born Prize (was) an annual prize for a poet whose work has been published in Poetry News members‘ poems competitions over the preceding year. Poets are asked to submit some additional work for consideration by the judge, and the prize is a year of mentoring and support.' It ran from 2014 to 2018.
Artlyst Art to Poetry Award – The Poetry Society
'The Artlyst Art to Poetry Award celebrates ekphrastic poetry, and was open to all poets worldwide aged 18 or over. Entrants may submit as many poems as they wish so long as they are based on an artwork. This can be in the form of a painting, sculpture installation, video, or fine art photograph.' There was a prize for 11 to 17 year olds, too.
AUB International Poetry Prize
AUB – Arts University Bournemouth. The prize is in its inaugral year.
Competition of the Bangor Literary Journal. 2021 was the 9th competition with money prizes to fifth position plus 2 Highly Commended. In this year a theme was set for the poems. The journal also runs a Forty Words Competition, with two categories of prose and poems.
Bard of Bath also see Bard of Bath - Wikipedia
The Bard of Bath is the city's representative poet, singer or storyteller. The role continues the Iron-Age Celtic tradition where DRUIDS were the law-makers, judges and ceremonial leaders, OVATES were mediums, healers and prophets and BARDS were poets, musicians and history-keepers. All of them held high status and a place in mystical/religious circles.
The Beaver Trust Lodge: Nature and the Ecological Emergency International Poetry Competition
The prize is in its inaugural year. 'This competition is about exploring new ways to think about nature and our connection with it, whether through the engaging, humble beaver, the wide range of emotions brought about by the ecological emergency, our recovery and resilience building, or any other aspect of nature and ecology.'
There is not a specific poetry award, though poetry may feature in its prizes. John Agard won 2021's Lifetime Achievement Award. 'BookTrust is the UK’s largest children’s reading charity. We are dedicated to getting children reading. Each year we reach millions of children across the UK with books, resources and support to help develop a love of reading.'
Brian Dempsey Memorial Prize - Dempsey and Windle Publishing
This is an annual competition with a pamphlet prize - for entries of ten poems open to the UK only, and an individual poem prize, with three prize winners (First prize: £200.00; Second prize: £100.00;
Third prize:£50.00) open to international entries. The shortlist is printed in an anthology.
'One of the largest poetry prizes, the winning poem also features in our anthology, a chance to see your words on the printed page. That’s not all. It opens up further opportunities where your work needs to have been published. '
Brotherton Poetry Prize : University of Leeds Poetry Centre
The prize is open to anyone in the world over the age of 18 who hasn’t yet published a full collection of poems (a chapbook or pamphlet does not count as a full collection). Entries to the competition should include no more than 200 lines of poetry in up to five individual poems.
The Browne Medals (also known as the Sir William Browne's Medals) are gold medals which since 1774 have been awarded for annual competitions in Latin and Greek poetry at the University of Cambridge.
Brunel International African Poetry Prize
This is aimed at the development, celebration and promotion of poetry from Africa. The Prize is sponsored by Brunel University London. Bernardine Evaristo, writer and Professor of Creative Writing at Brunel, initiated the award in 2012 to revitalise African poetry.
Cafe Writers Poetry Competition
Annual competition of the Cafe Writers group based in Norwich. There is an additional prize for a permanent resident of Norfolk who did not win one of the main prizes.
Callum Macdonald Memorial Award - Scottish Poetry Library
Established in 2001 in memory of Scottish publisher Callum Macdonald, this award was created to encourage, recognise and reward the publication of poetry in pamphlet form. In rewarding the publisher of an outstanding example of pamphlet poetry published during the previous year, rather than a poet, it is a unique award in Scotland.
Chancellor's Gold Medal (Wikipedia)
'The Chancellor's Gold Medal is a prestigious annual award at Cambridge University for poetry, paralleling Oxford University's Newdigate Prize.'
The Charles Causley International Poetry Competition 2021
Charles Causley (1917-2003) is acknowledged as one of the finest of all 20th-century English poets. The Charles Causley Trust aims to keep his memory alive. The 1st prize winner will receive £2,000 plus a one week writing residency at Cyprus Well, Charles Causley’s former home in Launceston. 2nd prize £250 3rd prize £100; plus 5 Highly Commended poets receive £30.
Run three competitions through its ezine Wildfire Words. The New Voices First Pamphlet Competition for under 25s, Frosted Fire Firsts, and Transformation online anthology, which are listed under their own headings on this page.
Cholmondeley Awards for Poets - Society of Authors' Awards
The Cholmondeley Awards for Poets were founded by the late Dowager Marchioness of Cholmondeley in 1966 to recognise the achievement and distinction of individual poets.
Christopher Tower Poetry Competition - see Tower Poetry Competition
'Open to all writers, both debut and established voices. This is a great way to get your short story collection, poetry collection or novel seen.' The competition of Cinnamon Press.
Costa Book Awards - Costa Coffee
'Launched in 1971, the Costa Book Awards is one of the UK's most prestigious and popular book prizes and celebrates the most enjoyable books of the year by writers resident in the UK and Ireland. Uniquely, the prize has five categories – First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children’s Book – with one of the five winning books selected as the overall Costa Book of the year. '
Formerly called the Whitbread Poetry award. Also see Wikipedia: Costa Poetry Award
Coventry Poet Laureate and Coventry Young Poet Laureate | Coventry City of Culture 2021
'As part of the BBC Contains Strong Language Festival Coventry 2021, Coventry Libraries and Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 are supporting these two exciting roles:
Coventry Poet Laureate – 18 years and older on 31 August 2021
Coventry Young Poet Laureate – 13 years or older and under 18 years old on 31 August 2021'
Creative Future Writers' Award
Annual competition open to writers who are underrepresented. This includes people who feel their opportunities are limited as a result of: mental health issues, Black, Asian, traveller, mixed heritage or other ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQAI+, physical disability, long-term limiting illness, sensory impairment, learning disability/ADHD/dyslexia/dyspraxia, eurodivergent/ASD, working class background, substance misuse issue, survivors.
Creative Manchester Poetry Competition 2022 - The University of Manchester
To enter the competition all you need to do is tweet your micropoem through Twitter, including the hashtag #micropoem22. The competition has a theme - Climate Change this year, and must be no more than 280 characters long.
David Cohen Prize for Literature
The Dylan Thomas Award is no longer, er, awarded. (See Dylan Thomas Prize - Wikipedia)
The Dylan Thomas Prize - see The Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize below.
Edward Cawston Thomas Prize - Edward Thomas Fellowship Poetry Competition
For the 2022 Competition, poems are invited on any subject but of no more than forty lines please. Closing date January15th, 2022. The judge will be the prize-winning poet Jamie McKendrick.
Prizes:1st prize £150, two further £75 prizes and up to six highly commended of £25
The Edwin Morgan Trust was established in 2012 to fulfil the wishes of the Scottish poet laureate, Edwin Morgan (1920–2010), particularly the foundation of a new award for young Scottish poets.
Eric Gregory Award - The Society of Authors' Awards
'The Eric Gregory Awards, for a collection by poets under the age of 30, were founded in 1960 by the late Dr Eric Gregory for the encouragement of young poets.'
'Forward Arts Foundation promotes public knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of poetry in the UK and Ireland. We are a charity committed to widening poetry’s audience, honouring achievement and supporting talent: our programmes include National Poetry Day, the Forward Prizes for Poetry and the Forward Book of Poetry, an annual anthology of the year’s best poems.'
There are three Forward Prizes For Poetry. The Forward Prize for Best Collection, the Felix Dennis Prize for Best First Collection, and the Forward Prize for Best Single Poem.
Foyle Young Poets – The Poetry Society
'It is free to enter and is open to poets aged 11-17 years anywhere in the world.'
Frosted Fire First Paphlet Award - Wildfire Words
Annual competition held by Frosted Fire Press is the publishing house of Cheltenham Poetry Festival.
'The Gaisford Prize is a prize in the University of Oxford, founded in 1855 in memory of Dr Thomas Gaisford (1779–1855). For most of its history, the prize was awarded for Classical Greek Verse and Prose. The prizes now include the Gaisford Essay Prize and the Gaisford Dissertation Prize.'
Geoffrey Dearmer Prize – The Poetry Society
The Geoffrey Dearmer Prize is an annual prize for the best poem published in The Poetry Review written by a poet who doesn’t yet have a full collection. The winner is announced in the summer issue of The Poetry Review each year.
Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize - Faber & Faber
As a memorial to the founder and first Chairman of the firm, Faber & Faber established in 1963 the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize. The Prize of £l,500 is awarded annually: and it is given, in alternate years, for a volume of verse and for a volume of prose fiction, first published originally in this country during the two years preceding the year in which the award is given.
For more details of past winners see Wikipedia: Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize
Geoff Stevens Memorial Poetry Prize
Competition run by Indigo Dreams
'The world's biggest prize for ecopoetry. The Ginkgo Prize also runs ecopoetry workshops and publishes eye-opening essays on ecology and writing.'
Hamish Canham Prize – The Poetry Society
'The annual prize for the best members’ poem in Poetry News was established in 2004 by Sheena and Hugh Canham, in memory of their son, Hamish Canham (1962-2003).'
Hastings LitFest- Poetry Competition
Held annually there is a short story competition and a single poem competition. The winning entries in each category will receive a cash prize of £250. The runner up in each category will receive a cash prize of £50.
'At the Hedgehog Poetry Press we try our best to give as many opportunities for poets to be published as possible, with these largely being based on Competitions, which is why we have a wide variety of them over the course of the year.'
'The Hippocrates Prize for Poetry and Medicine is an annual international award for an unpublished poem on a medical subject. Since its first awards in 2010, the Hippocrates Prize has attracted over 11,000 entries from around 70 countries, from the Americas to Fiji and Finland to Australasia.' The Hippocrates Prize is in 3 categories, Open, Health Professional and Young Poets.
The International Book & Pamphlet Competition - The Poetry Business
'The International Book & Pamphlet Competition was the first of its kind in Britain. Now in its 36th year, it has launched the careers of many well-established and successful poets, including Daljit Nagra, Michael Laskey, Kim Moore, Pascale Petit, and Catherine Smith. The four winning collections are beautifully produced and promoted widely, and entered for all eligible awards and prizes.'
The Poetry Business also run the New Poets Prize - see below
Ireland’s Professor of Poetry (Includes the Republic of Ireland)
The Ireland Chair of Poetry Trust was set up in 1998 and is jointly held between Queen’s University Belfast, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. Every three years a poet of honour and distinction is chosen to represent the Chair as Ireland’s Professor of Poetry.
James Berry Poetry Prize - Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts - Newcastle University
The James Berry Poetry Prize will assist poets of colour with talent ready to take their work to the next level via mentoring and publication. The prize is free to enter. It is open to poets of colour, who are UK residents who have not yet published a book-length collection, with special consideration given to LGBTQ+/disabled poets and poets from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.
An annual competition run by Girton College, Cambridge since 2011. 'Building on the success of previous years, the 2022 winner will receive not just a cash prize of £700, but the opportunity to give a reading at a celebratory event, at which the prize will be awarded. There will also be a second cash prize of £300.'
Jerwood Compton Poetry Fellowships – Jerwood Arts
The programme runs biennially for three editions between 2017 and 2022 supporting a total of nine individuals, three Fellowships per edition. Successful poets each receive £15,000 to support a year of Fellowship, during which they are matched with a core mentor and have further access to a range of advisers and critical friends to support their developing practice.
John Llewellyn Rhys Prize (Wikipedia)
The John Llewellyn Rhys Prize was a literary prize awarded annually for the best work of literature (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama) by an author from the Commonwealth aged 35 or under, written in English and published in the United Kingdom. Established in 1942, the last award was in 2010.
Inaugurated in 1998 by the Keats-Shelley Memorial Association, The Keats-Shelley Writing Prize encourages poets and essayists of all ages to respond to the work of the Romantics. There are poetry and essay prizes. Total prizes are 0ver £5000.
Kent & Sussex Poetry Society Open Poetry Competition, 2022
An annual competition with seven prizes. 1st Prize: £1000,2nd Prize: £300, 3rd Prize: £100, 4th Prize: 4 x £50. 'The Kent & Sussex Poetry Society is a lively local group with a national reputation. We’ve been going for over 70 years in Tunbridge Wells but remain as friendly and supportive and open to newcomers as ever.'
Ledbury Poetry Festival Poetry Competition
There are three competitions for this annual festival, one for adults, one for 12-17 year olds, and one for under 12s.
Ledbury Munthe Poetry Prize for Second Collections
Organised by Ledbury Poetry Festival, I cannot find too much historical online information, though there was a competition with a different sponsor in 2017 where the winner won £5000.
The competition is open to everyone, anywhere in the world. Winning poems will be published on their website. There are Adult, Secondary School and Primary School categories. It has run since 2003 and organisations represented include the University of Leeds (School of English), Leeds City Council Children's Services (Schools) and Leeds Library and Information Services.
Have an international competition every year for single poems, for which an anthology is compiled, plus competitions for pamphlets, and collections. There is also a children's poetry competition for which there is also an annual anthology.
The London Magazine Poetry Prize
The annual competition of the magazine. It is for a single poem of 40 lines or less. A top three is announced and the winner receives £500. The 2023 prize was dedicated to the memory of the Special Literary Adviser and renowned poet, Grey Gowrie.
In 2022 the first prize for poetry was £1000. There were three top prizes plus a Highly Commended section, with the competition being for a poem of 1 to 56 lines, on a theme (Hope), and open only to people who are18+.
Annual competition of Magma Poetry Magazine. 'First prize for the Judge’s and Editors’ Prize is £1000, second prize £300 and third prize £150. The six prize-winning poems will be published in Magma and there will also be five special mentions for the Judge’s Prize and for the Editors’ Prize. Winning and commended poets will be invited to read their poems at a Magma Competition Event.'
Manchester Poetry Prize · Manchester Metropolitan University
Matthew Hale Award - see Northern Writers Awards
Members’ Poems – The Poetry Society
The Members’ Poems competition sets Poetry Society Members the task of writing a poem or poems on a theme chosen by a leading poet. All poems published in Poetry News are also eligible for the Hamish Canham Prize each year. There are 4 issues and competitions every year.
There are two categories: 16 and under, or adult (over 16). A winner and a runner up from each category (along with other prizes) will see their poems published as large posters in Longbenton Metro station.
The Michael Marks Awards for Poetry Pamphlets were established in 2009 and now include four awards and a Poets in Residence program. From their inception, the Awards have aimed both to promote the pamphlet form and to enable poets and publishers to develop.
Michael Schmidt Prize for Best Portfolio
I believe is an award related to the MA / MFA Creative Writing course at Manchester Metropolitan University.
'Over the years Mslexia has developed a portfolio of highly respected competitions that have propelled many women’s writing careers to the next level.' Currently, along with other competitions there are two poetry competitions (for women only): Single Poem, and Poetry Pamphlet.
National Poetry Competition – The Poetry Society
The National Poetry Competition is one of the world’s most prestigious prizes for an unpublished poem of up to 40 lines, open to anyone 18 or over.
Awarded to students of the University of Oxford for the Best Composition in English verse by an undergraduate who has been admitted to Oxford within the previous four years. It was founded in 1806 as a memorial to Sir Roger Newdigate (1719–1806).[1] The winning poem is announced at Encaenia.
The New Poets Prize - The Poetry Business
'The New Poets Prize is a pamphlet competition for writers between the ages of 17 and 24 (inclusive). This prize runs alongside the renowned International Book & Pamphlet Competition organized by The Poetry Business, which has now been established for 36 years.'
New Voices First Pamphlet Competition 2022 - Wildfire Words
'New Voices offers poets aged no more than 25 or less an award of publication of the winning poet’s first poetry collection, as a pamphlet book. The award includes 50 free copies, publication of poems in wildfire words, and headline poet status in an international online Zoom book launch.' This is an annual competition from the Cheltenham Poetry Festival.
Northern Writers Awards - Northern Writers Award for Poetry / Northern Debut Award For Poetry
'Established in 2000 by New Writing North, the Awards support writers across the North of England. The Awards support writers creatively as they develop their work towards publication, as well as helping them to progress professionally and navigate their way through the publishing industry.' Awards also include non-poetry categories.
The Matthew Hale Award is open to young writers (aged 11 to 18) who show promise but have had limited opportunities to pursue their talent. This could be due to a number of factors, including physical or mental ill-health, family circumstances, financial circumstances, lack of access to cultural opportunities or any other reasons. This can include, but is not limited to poetry.
The annual competition of The Interpreters House online magazine with three cash prizes available. The three winning poems and seven commended poems will be published on The Interpreter’s House website and also be featured in an Open House Competition pamphlet.
Oxford Brookes International Poetry Competition
The competition of the Poetry Centre of Oxford Brookes University (OBU)
Oxford Professor of Poetry - University of Oxford
A new Oxford Professor of Poetry is elected every four years, and their responsibilities include giving a public lecture each term, as well as an oration at the University’s honorary degree ceremony every other year.
Paper Swans Press - Poetry Pamphlet Prize
Annual competition of the Paper Swans Press
Peggy Poole Award – The Poetry Society
The Peggy Poole Award helps emerging writers develop their craft, and gives poets in the North West of England the chance to win a year of mentoring from a leading poet, running alongside the National Poetry Competition.
PEN Pinter Prize - English Pen
Established in 2009 in memory of Harold Pinter. It's awarded annually to a writer resident in Britain, the Republic of Ireland, the Commonwealth or former Commonwealth who, in the words of Harold Pinter’s Nobel speech, casts an ‘unflinching, unswerving’ gaze upon the world, and shows a ‘fierce intellectual determination … to define the real truth of our lives and our societies’. The winner must the author of a significant body of plays, poetry, essays, or fiction of outstanding literary merit, written in English.
The prize is shared with an international writer of courage selected by English PEN’s Writers at Risk Committee in association with the winner. This half of the prize is awarded to someone who has been persecuted for speaking out about their beliefs.
The Plough Prize - 2022 | The Plough Arts Centre
(2022) Now in its nineteenth year, the Plough Poetry Prize is an international open competition for a poem up to 40 lines on any subject. 1st Prize: £1,000, 2nd Prize: £500, 3rd Prize: £250.
(From Wikipedia: Poetic Republic Poetry Prize) 'The Poetic Republic Poetry Prize was an open online poetry competition judged by the community of entrants. It was active from 2009 to 2015, when the death of the organiser Peter Hartey led to its closure.'
'The Poetry Book Awards is an annual, international book award given to the best poetry books produced by indie writers, self published authors or books published by small, truly independent presses.'
Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom
'The Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom is an honorary position appointed by the monarch of the United Kingdom, currently on the advice of the prime minister. The role does not entail any specific duties, but there is an expectation that the holder will write verse for significant national occasions.'
Simon Armitage (The Official Website) took over the role in 2019 and will hold the post for 10 years.
The annual competition of Poetry London.
The Poetry Society - Competitions
'The Poetry Society awards £16,000 in prizes each year. Poets at all stages of their careers are celebrated, and prizes also include ways to support writers’ development: courses, books, membership and publication. The competitions and prizes are a central part of The Poetry Society’s work.'
I have listed the 12 prizes alphabetically on this page.
Annual international competition with prize money for the first three places, plus publication of the poems.
Polari Prize (This is a literary prize that includes poetry, but not exclusively.)
Founded by author Paul Burston, Polari began in 2007 in a bar in Soho. Since 2009, we’ve been based at London’s Southbank Centre. Since 2011, The Polari First Book Prize has been awarded annually for a first book which explores the LGBTQ+ experience; from 2019, The Polari Prize has been awarded annually for a book by a a non-debut writer.
Popescu Prize – The Poetry Society
'The Popescu European Poetry Translation Prize has been awarded biennially by The Poetry Society for a volume of poetry translated from a European language into English.'
Porson Prize (Wikipedia)
'The Porson Prize is an award for Greek verse composition at the University of Cambridge. It was founded in honour of classical scholar Richard Porson and was first awarded in 1817. Winners are known as "Porson prizemen".'
The Rebecca Swift Women's Poet's Prize - See Women's Poet's Prize below
Rathbones Folio Prize (This is a literary prize that can be won by poetry, but not exclusively)
Rathbones Folio Prize is open to all works of literature written in English and published in the UK. All genres and all forms of literature are eligible, except work written primarily for children. The format of first publication may be print or digital. The Prize will be awarded for books published in the previous calendar year.
The Rialto magazine runs a pamphlet competition and poetry competition every year.
'The Rubery Prize is a prestigious international book award seeking the best books by indie writers, self published authors and books published by independent presses, judged by reputable judges.' Categories are Fiction, Non-Fiction, Children & YA, and Poetry. From the category winners there is an overall Book of the Year winner.
Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry (Wikipedia)
Awarded for a book of verse published by someone in any of the Commonwealth realms. Recommendations to the Queen for the award of the Medal are made by a committee of eminent scholars and authors chaired by the Poet Laureate. The award is announced on William Shakespeare's birthday, 23 April. The Gold Medal for Poetry was instituted by King George V in 1933.
Saboteur Awards – Sabotage (sabotagereviews.com)
'The Saboteur Awards have been running since 2011 (and) encompass 12 awards given out in a public ceremony. In their present form, the awards are voted for by the public, and have no prize money.' Poetry awards include Best Spoken Word Performer, Best Spoken Word Show, Best Poetry Pamphlet, Best Anthology - though festival, publisher and magazine awards may go to poetry also.
Seamus Heaney Centre First Collection Poetry Prize
Queen's University Belfast
'The Seatonian Prize is awarded by the University of Cambridge for the best English poem on a sacred subject. This prize has been awarded annually since 1750 and is open to any Master of Arts of the university.' See Awards, grants, and prizes | Faculty of Divinity (cam.ac.uk).
The Sarah Maguire Prize - Poetry Translation Centre (PTC)
'An international biennial award for the best book of poetry in English translation by a living poet from beyond Europe. The winning poet and their translator, or translators, will split an award of £3000 between them. The prize has been established in the memory of the poet Sarah Maguire who was the founder of the Poetry Translation Centre and a champion of international poetry. '
Second Light Poetry Competition for Long and Short Poems by Women
First prizes are awarded in two categories: Short (50 lines or under) and Long (over 50 lines). 2nd & 3rd prizes may be from either category. First prize £300. The compeition has been running since at least 2008.
Has an annual competition with a winner and runner-up
Simon Powell Poetry Prize - Poetry Live!
'Simon Powell was always a great champion of new poetry. We run this competition as a tribute to his commitment to poetry and to his encouragement of young people to start writing...The only entry requirement is that each applicant is a GCSE student.'
SLAMbassadors – The Poetry Society
SLAMbassadors is The Poetry Society’s national youth poetry slam championships. Each year we search for the next generation of spoken word artists, rappers and MCs.
Currently paused.
Society of Authors' Awards | The Society of Authors
'Our poetry awards are amongst the most prestigious in the UK. They celebrate excellence in poetry from those just starting out as well those established in their careers.' I have listed the poetry awards, or those available to poets individually on this page.
The Somerset Maugham Awards - Society of Authors' Awards
W. Somerset Maugham set up a fund in 1947 to enable young writers to enrich their work by gaining experience of foreign countries. The awards are given for a published work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry. The author must be a British national, or resident in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and writing in English. The author must be under the age of 30 , and book first printed in Britain.
Stanza Poetry Competition – The Poetry Society
'All Stanza members who are also Poetry Society members can enter up to two <40 line poems.'
Stephen Spender Prize – Stephen Spender Trust
'The Prize is an annual competition for poetry in translation, with categories for young people (14-and-under, 16-and-under, and 18-and-under) as well as an open category for adults. All entrants must be UK or Irish citizens or residents, or pupils at a British School overseas.'
Streetcake Experimental Writing Prize - Streetcake Magazine
'this prize is aimed at writers based in the UK and EU who are responding creatively and experimenting with the literature mold. there are two age categories (18-30 and 31 and over) in each category of short fiction and poetry, which means there are four overall first place winners. we also award second-fourth places in each category.'
The Sunday Times Charlotte Aitken Young Writer of the Year Award
Awarded for a full-length published or self-published (in book or ebook formats) work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry, by an author aged 18 – 35 years. Awarded since 1991.
The Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize - Swansea University
'Launched in 2006, the annual Swansea University International Dylan Thomas Prize is one of the most prestigious awards for young writers, aimed at encouraging raw creative talent worldwide. It celebrates and nurtures international literary excellence. The Prize is awarded to the best published literary work in the English language, written by an author aged 39 or under.'
Ted Hughes Award – The Poetry Society
'The Ted Hughes Award for New Work in Poetry was a 10 year project running alongside Carol Ann Duffy’s tenure as Poet Laureate, highlighting outstanding contributions made by poets to our cultural life. The £5000 annual prize money was funded by Carol Ann Duffy’s honorarium as Laureate from HM The Queen.'
Tower Poetry Competition - Christ Church, Oxford University
'The Tower Poetry Competition offers the UK’s most valuable prize for young poets, and is open to students between 16-18 years of age who are educated in the UK.' The competition is run by Christ Church, Oxford, and are funded by a bequest by the late Christopher Tower.
Transformation Online Anthology - Wildfire Words
A single poem competition run annually by Wildfire Words the online ezine of the Cheltenham Poetry Festival.
Translation Prizes | The Society of Authors
Travelling Scholarships - Society of Authors' Awards
The Travelling Scholarships were established in 1944 to enable British creative writers to keep in touch with their colleagues abroad. Available to poets, though not exclusively so.
The annual competition of the Vers Poets. An anthology of the winners is produced each year.
Awarded by Literature Wales, it was inaugurated in 1992. There are 12 winners in 4 categories - one of which is Poetry - 4 in English 4 in Welsh. Then an overall winner and a Popular Choice winner in both English and Welsh. From 2004 to 2020 it was awarded as the Roland Mathias Poetry Prize.
(2021) Now in its sixth year, the Walter Swan Poetry Prize is open to all writers of poetry aged 18 and over.' It is the poetry prize of the Ilkley Literature Festival.
Warwickshire Libraries Young Poet Laureate – Warwickshire County Council
'The Laureateship is a unique opportunity for the successful candidate to develop their writing skills and take part in events and activities across the county under the mentorship of a professional poet.'
Wells Festival of Literature Competition
Currently running prizes in four categories including an International Open Poetry Competition and a Young Poets Competition.
The International English Language Poetry Contest. 'The first Welsh Poetry Competition was set up by poet & writer Dave Lewis in 2007. Officially launched on St David’s Day @ Clwb-Y-Bont, Pontypridd, 2007 the aim is to encourage and foster the wealth of creative writing talent that we know exists in Wales but currently languishes in the doldrums.'
'The Poet’s Prize is run in partnership with CHEERIO, and is for English-language poets who are at the crucial stage of creating their debut pamphlet or collection. The Prize was founded in 2017 with support from Jerwood Charitable Foundation.'
Founded in 2005, and rebranded in 2019, it welcomes entries from poets writing in English wherever they may live. There are 5 prizes in total. There is an International Prize, then separate categories for Scottish Gaelic poetry, Scots language poetry, rising talent in Dumfries & Galloway, and a pamphlet prize is named in memory of Alastair Reid - local poet and foremost literary figure.
The competition linked to the Winchester Poetry Festival . A prize is also available for the best poem written by a Hampshire-based poet.
The Women Poets’ Prize is a biennial award given to three UK-based women poets who demonstrate great ability and potential. It consists of a cash prize of £1,000 and 18 months of creative, professional and pastoral support. The Rebecca Swift Foundation was set up in 2018 in memory of Rebecca Swift, the pioneering founder of The Literary Consultancy. This unique award seeks to honour Rebecca’s two key passions: poetry and the empowerment of women.
Organised by the Yeovil Community Arts Association. One of five the categories is for poetry. It is for a single poem of no more than 40 lines. The first prize in a top 3 wins £600. It started in 2002. Each year £100 is awarded to the Western Gazette, Best Local Writer, the highest placed long listed entry who lives in the distribution area of the Western Gazette, which was most recently won by a poet.
The competition linked to the York Literature Festival. There is also the Helen Cadbury Prize will be awarded to an excellent poem from an entrant with a York (YO) postcode.
World Wide Awards
For this list, it may take a little longer to expand, so please see the excellent:
List of poetry awards - Wikipedia and Poet laureate - Wikipedia
Australia
The Woorilla Poetry Prize was initiated in the1980s by Maria Millers and Louise Rockne, editors at Woorilla Magazine, where it grew to become a celebrated national competition.
Belgium
Herman de Coninck Prize for Poetry
The Herman de Coninck Prize is an annual Flemish literature prize for poetry in memory of Herman de Coninck. Between 2007 and 2016, it was exclusively a Flemish prize, but from 2017 it was also accessible to poetry from the Netherlands. It is given for the best collection written that year. There are also prizes for the best poem, and the best debut collection.
Canada
Archibald Lampman Award- Arc Poetry Magazine
The Archibald Lampman Award recognizes an outstanding book of English-language poetry by an author living in the National Capital Region. Archibald Lampman was one of Canada’s finest 19th-century poets. Eligible entries are English-language books of poetry published by a recognized publisher. Eligible books must be no less than 48 pages in length. The current prize is $1500 CAD
Arc's Poem of the Year Contest
The main prize of Arc Poetry Magazine. Currently wins $5000 CAD. It is an open contest for the best poem entered. Arc also award Arc Award of Awesomeness, a monthly competition based on a theme set by the magazine, Critics' Desk Award for excellence in book reviewing, plus 3 more awards with their own heading: Archibald Lampman Award, Diana Brebner Prize, Confederation Poets Prize
Confederation Poets Prize - Arc Poetry Magazine
The Confederation Poets Prize is awarded given for the best poem published in Arc in the preceding year. Selected by a prominent member of Canada’s literary communities, the award includes a $250 prize. Arc Poetry Magazine’s Confederation Poets Prize is named in recognition of a group of Canadian poets who were born around the time of Canadian Confederation.
Diana Brebner Prize - Arc Poetry Magazine
The Diana Brebner Prize is awarded yearly for the best poem written by a National Capital Region poet, who has not yet been published in book form. The prize honours the late Diana Brebner, an award-winning Ottawa-based poet who was devoted to fostering literary talent among new, local writers. The prize is $500 CAD.
'The Griffin Poetry Prize is awarded annually in two categories – International and Canadian. Each prize is worth C$65,000. In each category, the prize is for the best collection of poetry in English published during the preceding year. One prize goes to a living Canadian poet or translator, the other to a living poet or translator from any country, which may include Canada.'
Montreal International Poetry Prize
'The Montreal Prize awards one prize of $20,000 CAD to a poet for a single poem of 40 or fewer lines. A jury of internationally reputed poets and critics selects a shortlist of approximately 60 poems, from which a judge chooses one winner. The shortlist is published in The Montreal Poetry Prize Anthology.
The prize is run by the Department of English at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.' Began 2010.
The Shevchenko Foundation launeched the award in 2003. Presented biennially, the $25,000 it recognizes outstanding contributions to Canadian literary arts by authors who write on a topic with a tangible connection to the experiences of Ukrainian Canadians. There are a number of genres including poetry. Monetary recognition is given to both the winner and the winner’s publisher.
The Pat Lowther Memorial Award is given for a book of poetry by a Canadian woman, and is in memory of the late Pat Lowther, whose career was cut short by her untimely death in 1975. The award carries a $2,000 prize.
Priscila Uppal Memorial Award for Poetry
'The Priscila Uppal Memorial Award for Poetry is given to the single best poem submitted, along with a $500 cash prize and publication in Canthius. A runner-up also receives a $250 cash prize and publication in Canthius.'
In 2017, City Council approved funding for the renewal of a Poet Laureate Program for the City of Ottawa. There are two current Ottawa poet laureates – one English, one French – each appointed to serve a two year term. Their mandate is to act as Ottawa’s artistic ambassador, to promote the literary arts, and to advance Ottawa’s unique voice in the world.
France
Académie Mallarmé – Prix Mallarmé, membres du jury, laureats (academie-mallarme.fr)
'The Mallarmé Prize,awarded since 1937, rewards a French-speaking poet for a collection of poems published (from October 1 to October 1 the next year). It is awarded by the Académie Mallarmé at the Brive Book Fair. The prize is endowed with an amount of € 3,800 paid by the city of Brive, which also offers the poet laureate a one-month residency. ' (I used Google translate here...)
Prix Guillaume Apollinaire – les lauréats (prix-apollinaire.fr)
The prix Guillaume Apollinaire is a French poetry prize first awarded in 1941. It was named in honour of French writer Guillaume Apollinaire. It annually recognizes a collection of poems for its originality and modernity. See Prix Guillaume Apollinaire - Wikipedia
Guernsey
Guernsey International Poetry Competition- Poems on the Move - Guernsey Literary Festival
The competition of the annual Guernsey Literary Festival. There are three categories of Open, Resident and Young People (11-17). For the 2022 Festival the top three in each category will win prize money and these along with a further 12 poems and be displayed on buses
Jamaica
The Edward Baugh Prize for Poetry - The National Library of Jamaica
Open to a poet age thirty-five (35) or under residing in the eastern end of the island (namely, the parishes of Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Thomas, and Portland).
The Louise Bennett Coverley Prize for Poetry - The National Library of Jamaica
Open to a Jamaican poet of any age or station in life, residing in any of the central parishes of the island (namely, Clarendon, St. Ann, St. Mary, Manchester, and St. Catherine).
The Michael Cooke Prize for Poetry - The National Library of Jamaica
Open to a male poet residing in the Western end of the island (namely, Hanover, Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, St. James, and Trelawny).
The Musgrave Medal is an annual award by the Institute of Jamaica in recognition of achievement in art, science, and literature. Originally conceived in 1889 and named in memory of Sir Anthony Musgrave. Click on the link to see past recipients. Not a specific poetry prize, but a prize that has been awarded for achievements in poetry.
Poet Laureate of Jamaica – The National Library of Jamaica
Organised by the National Library of Jamaica. The Poet Laureate must be a Jamaican, defined as either born in Jamaica or of Jamaican parentage or a naturalised citizen. The Poet Laureate is not required to reside in Jamaica. However, he /she must be available for a minimum of 4 official appearances in each calendar year. They must have at least three publications of poetry.
The Poet Laureate of Jamaica Prizes for Poetry | The National Library of Jamaica
There are four poetry prizes which I have listed alphabetically here.
The prize is open to Jamaican nationals between the ages of 17-25 who are interested in pursuing a career in the writing of poetry
Netherlands
Dichter Des Vaderlands - Poet of the Fatherland
The Dutch Poet Laureate. It was first appointed in 2000, and since 2017 it has been appointed every two years. It is appointed by NRC Handelsblad, Poetry International and the Poetry Club.
New Zealand
Adam Foundation Prize in Creative Writing
The Adam Foundation Prize in Creative Writing was established in 1996 through the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation by Denis and Verna Adam because of their strong wish to support the development of creative writing in New Zealand. In each year the Adam Prize is awarded to the author of the best page-based portfolio for the MA.
A Victoria University of Wellington - International Institute of Modern Letters award of $3,000. It is awarded at the end of the Masters in Creative Writing course to enable a student to complete a manuscript for publication. It has been awarded annually since 2006 to recognise the potential of a graduating poet.
Creative New Zealand Michael King Writer's Fellowship
'The fellowship is awarded every two years to an established New Zealand writer from any literary genre, with a significant publication record, to work on a major project. Amount: Up to $100,000 over two years.' Historically this has been awarded to established New Zealand poets, though I am uncertain if the project has ever been one of poetry.
Kathleen Grattan Award - Landfall Review Online:
'This biennial award is for an original collection of poems, or one long poem, by a New Zealand or Pacific permanent resident or citizen. Entries are accepted until 31 July of the award year. The result is announced in the November issue of Landfall, and the winner will receive $10,000. Auckland poet Kathleen Grattan, a journalist and former editor of the New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, died in 1990.'
Annual competition of takahē magazine
Established in 1968, in their current format the annual Ockham New Zealand Book Awards offer five principal prizes, including the Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry, for which the winners receive $10,000. There are also four Crystal Arts Trust Best First Book awards, including the Jessie MacKay Prize for Poetry for which the winner receives $2,500.
A new Laureate is chosen every two years and is supported by the National Library of New Zealand to create new work and promote poetry throughout the country. Each Laureate is presented with their own tokotoko (carved orator’s stick), which symbolises their authority and status. The National Library holds the matua, or parent tokotoko, to signify joint guardianship.'
Prime Minister's Awards for Literary Achievement
Three awards are given every year for: fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
North Macedonia and Albania
Naim Frashëri Laureateship
The International Poetry Festival of North Macedonia and Albania called “Ditët e Naimit” (Days of Naim) awards the Naim Frashëri Laureateship.
Republic of Ireland
Awarded annually to an unpublished poem written by an adult for children aged 7 to 11. Held since 2015.
The Farmgate Café National Poetry Award was established in 2019 with sponsorship from one of Cork's most loved restaurants - The Farmgate Café. The award is a cash prize of €2000 for the best collection published in English by a poet resident in Ireland during the previous calendar year. Collections in translation are considered.
The Fish Poetry Prize - Fish Publishing
Established in 2006 . The Top 10 poems will be published in the FISH ANTHOLOGY 2022.
1st prize: €1,000. 2nd: A week in residence at Anam Cara Writers’ Retreat. 3rd: €200
Fool for Poetry International Chapbook Competition – Munster Literature Centre
'The Munster Literature Centre established the Fool for Poetry Chapbook Competition in 2005. The competition offered writers the opportunity to have their poems published in a high quality production from the Munster Literature Centre's publishing branch, Southword Editions. The winners also receive cash prizes. The competition did not run from 2010-13. It was reintroduced in 2014.'
Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition – Munster Literature Centre
The Gregory O'Donoghue International Poetry Competition was first held in 2010. It is an poetry prize for a single poem, open to writers from around the world from September to November annually. Sponsored by the Munster Literature Centre, the prize is named in honour of the late Irish poet long associated with the Centre.
John Montague International Poetry Fellowship – Munster Literature Centre
'The recipient would be a poet from outside Ireland of international standing. Fellowship applications are invited from poets working in English from outside Ireland. The Poetry Fellow must have at least two full-length collections of poetry published. The successful candidate will be a poet respected by peers and preferably has experience in the coaching or teaching of other writers.'
Ireland’s Professor of Poetry (Includes Northern Ireland)
The Ireland Chair of Poetry Trust was set up in 1998 and is jointly held between Queen’s University Belfast, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. Every three years a poet of honour and distinction is chosen to represent the Chair as Ireland’s Professor of Poetry.
Listowel Writers' Week - Irish Poem of the Year Award
This competition is awarded at the An Post Irish Book Awards set up by a coalition of Irish booksellers in 2007. The awards are owned by Irish Book Awards Ltd, a not-for-profit company.
Listowel Writers' Week Literary Festival - Poetry Collection Award
€2,500 for the best collection of poetry. 6-12 individual poems or an equivalent long single poem which may be in sections or form a sequence. The competition is open only to those who have not published a complete collection of poetry. It is a part of the Listowel Writers' Week Literary Festival
Begun in 2020, The Moth Nature Writing Prize aims to encourage and celebrate the art of nature writing. It is awarded annually to an unpublished piece of prose or poetry which best combines exceptional literary merit with an exploration of the writer’s relationship with the natural world. The winner receives €1,000 and a week at Circle of Misse in France.
The Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award for a first unpublished collection of poems in English is open to poets, born in the island of Ireland, or of Irish nationality, or long term resident in Ireland. The award was founded by the Patrick Kavanagh Society in 1971 to commemorate the poet. For details of the award's history and previous winners see Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award - Wikipedia
This Award is for the best Collection of New Poetry by an Irish Author published between the 1st February 2021 and 31st January 2022. It has a Prize Fund of €14,000. and is a part of the Listowel Writers' Week Literary Festival.
Ó Bhéal Five Words International Poetry Competition
'The 2022/2023 (10th) competition will run for 42 weeks. Every Tuesday at midday (UTC) from 12th April 2022 – 31st January 2023, five words will be posted. Entrants will have one week to compose and submit one or more poems which include all five words given for that week. Prize A prize of 750 euros will be awarded to the winner, plus 500 euros for 2nd place and 250 euros for 3rd place.'
Ó Bhéal Poetry-Film Competition
'You may submit as many films as you like – each must interpret or convey a poem (present in its entirety, audibly and/or visually) and have been completed after the 1st of May 2020. Entries may not exceed 10 minutes in duration. Non-English or non-Irish language films will require English subtitles.'
Southword Subscriber Competition - Munster Literature Centre
Prizes given for top three places and run alongside a flash fiction prize.
The Trócaire Poetry Ireland Poetry Competition
Annual competition since 2013. The competition is always FREE to enter and is open to adults, at all stages in their writing careers. Poems in English or Irish, written or spoken word, are welcome in two categories: Adult- Published poets, Unpublished poets. Poems are written on a theme.
Sweden
Cikada Prize - Wikipedia (The prize's own site looked empty)
The Cikada Prize was founded in 2004 following the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Swedish Nobel Prize winner, Harry Martinson. The award consists of a diploma, 20.000 SEK and a piece of ceramic art designed by the Swedish ceramics artist Gunilla Sundström. The name of the prize has been inspired by Martinson's poetry collection "Cikada", which was published in 1953.
The Nobel Prize for Literature
On 27 Nov 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament, giving a large share of his fortune to prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace – the Nobel Prizes. The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded by the Swedish Academy, Stockholm, Sweden. Awarded annually since 1901, it is not a poetry prize, but it can be won by poets for their lifetime body of work.
United States Of America
Able Muse Write Prize - Able Muse Press
$500 prize for the best poem, and $500 prize for the best short story (flash fiction), plus publication in Able Muse (the print journal). Finalists in each category will also be considered for publication.
Academy of American Poets Fellowship| Academy of American Poets
'The Academy of American Poets Fellowship is a $25,000 prize awarded to one poet each year to recognize distinguished poetic achievement. Established in 1946 and given in memory of James Ingram Merrill, with generous support from the T. S. Eliot Foundation.'
Academy of American Poets First Book Award | Academy of American Poets
'The Academy of American Poets First Book Award is a $5,000 first-book publication prize. The winner receives publication by Graywolf Press, an all-expenses-paid six-week residency at the Civitella Ranieri Center in the Umbrian region of Italy, and distribution of the winning book to thousands of Academy of American Poets members.'
Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowships
'The Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowships are $50,000 awards given to honor poets of literary merit appointed to serve in civic positions and to enable them to undertake meaningful, impactful, and innovative projects that engage their fellow residents, including youth, with poetry, helping to address issues important to their communities.'
For current Laureates see: Current U.S. and State Poets Laureate | Academy of American Poets
For a handy map layout see: U.S. State Poets Laureate
Aliki Perroti and Seth Frank Most Promising Young Poet Award | Academy of American Poets
'Established in 2013, the Aliki Perroti and Seth Frank Most Promising Young Poet Award recognizes a student poet twenty-three years old or younger, with an annual cash prize of $1,000.'
American Poets Prizes | Academy of American Poets
'Since 1934, the Academy of American Poets has provided visibility and financial support to poets demonstrating artistic excellence.' They award 12 prizes which I have listed alphabetically here.
Ambroggio Prize | Academy of American Poets
'The Ambroggio Prize is a $1,000 publication prize given for a book-length poetry manuscript originally written in Spanish and with an English translation. The winning manuscript is published by Bilingual Press/Editorial Bilingüe, publisher of literary works, scholarship, and art books by or about U.S.'
Anthony Hecht Poetry Prize – The Waywiser Press
The prize has closed for December an 2022 will see the 17th winner. The winner gets $3,000. The Waywiser is based in the UK with a U.S. subsidiary, but the winner is usually from the U.S. as is the prize money.
APR/Honickman First Book Prize - American Poetry Review (may require log-in)
(2022) 'The prize of $3,000, with an introduction by the judge and distribution of the winning book by Copper Canyon Press through Consortium, will be awarded in 2022 with publication of the book in the same year. The author will receive a standard book publishing contract, with royalties paid in addition to the $3,000 prize.'
Ballard Spahr Prize for Poetry | Milkweed Editions
'The Ballard Spahr Prize for Poetry supports outstanding poets from the upper Midwest and brings their work to a national stage. Expanding on the Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry, which was established in 2011, this prize awards $10,000 and publication by Milkweed Editions to a poet residing in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, or Michigan.'
The Brannan Prize - The Poetry Project
The Poetry Project is proud to offer The Brannan Prize, an annual $1,000 prize for emerging poets in honor of former Poetry Project intern and poet Lisa Brannan, called The Brannan Prize. In addition to the financial prize, the winning poet will have one poem published in The Poetry Project Newsletter.
Charles Eliot Norton Professorship in Poetry
The Charles Eliot Norton Professorship in Poetry was endowed in 1925. Harvard’s preeminent lecture series in the arts and humanities, the Norton Lectures recognize individuals of extraordinary talent The term “poetry” is interpreted in the broadest sense to encompass all poetic expression in language, music, or the fine arts.
Derek Walcott Prize For Poetry
'In partnership with The Derek Walcott Festival and the Boston Playwrights' Theatre, Arrowsmith Press awards the prize to a full-length book by a poet who is not a US citizen, published in the previous calendar year.' The Festival is in Trinidad and Tobago
The Donald Hall Prize for Poetry - University of Pittsburgh Press see also AWP: Award Series
'The Donald Hall Prize for Poetry is an annual competition for the publication of excellent new book-length works. Sponsored by the Association of Writers and Writing Programs, and the generous support of the Amazon Literary Partnership. The competition is open to all authors writing in English regardless of nationality or residence, and is available to published and unpublished authors alike.'
Francine Ringold Awards - Nimrod / University of Tulsa
'The Francine Ringold Awards for New Writers honour the work of writers at the beginning of their careers. Prizes: $500 prizes will be awarded in both the fiction and poetry categories, and the winning manuscripts will appear in the spring issue of Nimrod. Winners will have the chance to work with the Nimrod board of editors to refine and edit their manuscripts before publication.'
The competitions for F(r)iction Magazine. There are four categories including poetry which has a $300 winning prize.
Gearhart Poetry Contest - Southeast Review
'The Southeast Review offers four annual contests with cash awards for art, short story, non-fiction and poetry. Our poetry contest began in 1996 to honour Michael Wm. Gearhart, a Ph.D. student in creative writing at Florida State University who died suddenly at the age of 39. The contest continues today in his memory. Please send up to three poems, no more than 10 pages total.'
The Glenna Luschei Poetry Prize
'The Luschei Prize for African Poetry, under the auspices of the African Poetry Book Fund and in partnership with the literary journal, Prairie Schooner, is an annual award of USD $1,000. Established in 2015, this Pan African Poetry Prize honor(s) and promote(s) African poetry written in English or in translation and to recognize a significant book published each year by an African poet.'
Harold Morton Landon Translation Award | Academy of American Poets
'Established in 1976, this $1,000 award recognizes a poetry collection translated from any language into English and published in the previous calendar year.'
'An annual, national competition offering $1,000 plus publication by Lost Horse Press for a book-length poetry manuscript. Manuscripts are accepted for review before May 15 of each year, and on 15 August, a winner is announced.'
James Laughlin Award | Academy of American Poets
'Offered since 1954, the James Laughlin Award is given to recognize and support a second book of poetry forthcoming in the next calendar year. The winning poet receives a prize of $5,000, an all-expenses-paid weeklong residency at The Betsy Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, and distribution of the winning book to approximately one thousand Academy of American Poets members.'
James Welch Prize - Poetry Northwest
Poetry Northwest’s James Welch Prize is awarded for two outstanding poems, each written by an Indigenous U.S. poet. The prize is named for Blackfeet and Gros Ventre writer James Welch, whose early poems were featured in Poetry Northwest and who went on to become one of the region’s most important writers.
Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award / Kate Tufts Discovery Award
'The Tufts poetry awards—based at Claremont Graduate University and given for poetry volumes published in the preceding year—are not only two of the most prestigious prizes a contemporary poet can receive, they also come with hefty purses: $100,000 for the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award and $10,000 for the Kate Tufts Discovery Award. This makes the Kingsley Tufts award the world’s largest monetary prize for a single collection of poetry. And for most poets who have just published their first collection of verse, $10,000 should keep the pen scribbling.'
Lambda Literary Awards - Lammys LGBTQ Book Awards
Created over 30 years ago to recognize the crucial role LGBTQ writers play in shaping the world, the Lammys celebrate the very best in LGBTQ literature. Included in the 24 categories in 2021 were poetry specific prizes for Lesbian Poetry, Gay Poetry, Bisexual Poetry, and Transgender Poetry.
Lannan Foundation - Literary Award for Poetry
The Lannan Literary Awards are a series of awards and literary fellowships given out in various fields by the Lannan Foundation. Established in 1989, the awards are meant "to honor both established and emerging writers whose work is of exceptional quality". The awards reflect the philosophy governing the Lannan Foundation, a family foundation established by J. Patrick Lannan, Sr. in 1960.
(For previous winners see Lannan Literary Awards - Wikipedia.)
Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize | Academy of American Poets
'Established in 1975, this $25,000 award recognizes the most outstanding book of poetry published in the United States in the previous calendar year. The prize includes a ten-day residency at Glen Hollow in Naples, New York, and distribution of the winning book to hundreds of Academy of American Poets members.'
Lexi Rudnitsky Poetry Prizes — Persea Books
Each year Persea Books holds two book contests sponsored by the Lexi Rudnitsky Poetry Project. There is The Lexi Rudnitsky First Book Prize competition open to self-identifying women who have yet to publish a full-length book of poems; and The Lexi Rudnitsky Editor’s Choice Award competition open to any poet who has previously published at least one full-length book of poems
'The Michael Waters Poetry Prize was established in 2013 to honour Michael’s contributions to Southern Indiana Review and American arts and letters. A prize of $5,000 and publication by SIR Press is awarded annually for a collection of poetry written in English. Michael Waters is the final judge. Entrants receive a one-year subscription to Southern Indiana Review.'
The National Book Critics Circle Award
'Each year, the National Book Critics Circle presents awards for the finest books published in English in six categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Poetry, and Criticism. The National Book Critics Circle was founded in April 1974 at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City, with founding members John Leonard, Nona Balakian, and Ivan Sandrof.'
The National Book Foundation was founded in 1989 to administer the National Book Awards, which has been one of the most prestigious literary prizes in the country since 1950. Awarded for Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Translated Literature.
The National Book Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters (DCAL) and Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community are honours that recognize a lifetime of achievement in writing and serving readers.
There is also 5 x Under 35 awards for fiction.
Neil Postman Award for Metaphor - Rattle
'Each year the editors of Rattle choose one poem from the content published online or in print during the previous year, and all poems that were submitted to the magazine are eligible. There are no entry fees or special guidelines involved. The author of the chosen poem will receive $2,000.'
The Nicholas Schaffner Award for Music in Literature
The NDSA Award is 'given to the writer of an unpublished manuscript who submits a literary work in the English language, either fiction, poetry or non-fiction (ie. memoir, autobiography, or essay collection) that deals in some way with the subject of music (of any genre and period) and its influence.'
'Any poet writing in English. Poems published in print or on-line periodicals, anthologies, or chapbooks may be included, but the manuscript itself must be unpublished. Original work only; translations are ineligible. The winning poet(s) receives a $1,000 advance, a standard royalty contract, and 25 free copies of the published book.'
Founded by Ruth G. Hardman. The Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Fiction & The Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry. First Prize: $2,000 and publication. Second Prize: $1,000 and publication. The winners will also be flown to Tulsa from a domestic airport location for the Awards Ceremony and Writing Conference in October. It is the competition Nimrod International Journal, the University of Tulsa.
Also see the Francine Ringold Award above.
'First given in 1942, the Ohioana Book Awards are the second oldest, and among the most prestigious, state literary prizes in the nation. Six of the Ohioana Award winners, as well as the Marvin Grant recipient, were selected by juries. The Readers’ Choice Award was determined by voters in a public online poll.' This includes a Poetry specific category.
The Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry - see Nimrod Literary Awards
Poet Laureate - Library of Congress
Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress, or the United States' Poetry Laureate. Based on the UK Poet Laurette it was first started in 1937. The title is authorized by an Act of Congress in 1985 and administered by the Center for the Book. See United States Poet Laureate - Wikipedia for a list of all the poets who have held the post.,
Poetry Foundation's Young People's Poet Laureate
Awarded by the Poetry Foundation for a two-year term, the Young People’s Poet Laureate aims to raise awareness that young people have a natural receptivity to poetry and are its most appreciative audience, especially when poems are written specifically for them.
The Prairie Schooner Book Prize in Poetry
Prairie Schooner, a national literary quarterly published with the support of the English Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Press, is home to the best fiction, poetry, essays, and reviews being published today by beginning, mid-career, and established writers.
In the latter years of the 19th century, Joseph Pulitzer stood out as the very embodiment of American journalism. In writing his 1904 will, which made provision for the establishment of the Pulitzer Prizes as an incentive to excellence. In 2021 there were 23 prizes, one of which is specifically for poetry.
'Since 1976, hundreds of presses and thousands of writers of short stories, poetry and essays have been represented in our annual collections. Each year most of the writers and many of the presses are new to the series. We welcome up to six nominations (print or online) from little magazine and small book press editors throughout the world.'
Raiziss/de Palchi Translation Awards | Academy of American Poets
'The Raiziss/de Palchi Translation Awards recognize outstanding translations into English of modern Italian poetry through a $10,000 book prize and a $25,000 fellowship, given in alternating years.'
'We’ve always loved chapbooks for their brevity and intensity. At a few dozen pages, a great chapbook is the perfect reading experience for the 21st century—not too long, not too short: They’re the Goldilocks zone of the poetry world. Every year, three winners will receive: $5,000, 500 copies, and distribution to Rattle’s 8,000+ subscribers.'
The annual Rattle Poetry Prize offers $15,000 for a single poem to be published in the winter issue of the magazine. Ten finalists will also receive $500 each and publication, and be eligible for the $5,000 Readers’ Choice Award, to be selected by subscriber and entrant vote.
Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry
'The biennial, privately funded $10,000 prize recognizes the most distinguished book of poetry written by an American and published during the preceding two years. The prize is donated by the family of the late Mrs. Bobbitt of Austin, Tex., in her memory, and established at the Library of Congress. '
Ruminate Magazine Poetry Prize
'$1000 and publication in Ruminate's annual prize anthology (forthcoming December 2022) will be awarded to the winner. The runner-up will also receive publication. In addition, all finalists will be considered for general publication. Winners and finalists will also receive a free print copy of the prize issue. ' Steep entry fee though!
Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize | Poetry Foundation
'Awarded annually, the $100,000 Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize honours a living US poet whose lifetime accomplishments warrant extraordinary recognition. Established in 1986 by Ruth Lilly, the prize is one of the most prestigious awards given to American poets.' ... $100,000 wow!
Solstice Literary Magazine Writing Contest
Annual competition with four categories, in which the Stephen Dunn Poetry Prize winner receives $500
Stanley Kunitz Memorial Prize - American Poetry Review
'The Stanley Kunitz Memorial Prize honours the late Stanley Kunitz’s dedication to mentoring poets. The winning poem will appear on the feature page of the September/October issue of The American Poetry Review, and the poet will receive a prize of $1,000.'
Founded in 2003, we publish poetry and prose through our prize, and consider all books for publication. There is a poetry book and chapbook prize as well as prose.
Stephen Dunn Poetry Prize see Solstice Magazine Writing Contest
'The prize, to be given annually for a book of poetry in translation published by Arrowsmith Press and chosen by its editors. The prize will be generously presented by Ramaswamy’s daughter, Thaila Ramanujam, at the Arrowsmith Press book launch.'
The Tampa Review Prize for Poetry – Tampa Review Online
Annual competition. Prize is Book Publication and a $2,000 Award. Selected Poems published in Tampa Review.
Treehouse Climate Action Poem Prize | Academy of American Poets
'The Treehouse Climate Action Poem Prize is given to honour exceptional poems that help make real for readers the gravity of the vulnerable state of our environment at present. Established in 2019 with generous support from Treehouse Investments, the prize will honour three poets.'
'The Tufts poetry awards—based at Claremont Graduate University and given for poetry volumes published in the preceding year—come with hefty purses: $100,000 for the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award and $10,000 for the Kate Tufts Discovery Award. This makes the Kingsley Tufts award the world’s largest monetary prize for a single collection of poetry.'
University & College Poetry Prizes | Academy of American Poets
'Established in 1955, the University and College Poetry Prize program began with ten schools. Today, the Academy of American Poets sponsors over two hundred annual prizes for poetry at U.S. colleges and universities, and has awarded cash prizes to nearly ten thousand student poets since the program’s inception.'
Wallace Stevens Award | Academy of American Poets
'The Wallace Stevens Award is given annually to recognize outstanding artistic achievement in the art of poetry over a poet's career. Established in 1994, the award carries a $100,000 stipend. Recipients are chosen by the Academy of American Poets Board of Chancellors.'
Windham Campbell Prizes (Yale University)
The Donald Windham-Sandy M. Campbell Literature Prizes prizes are global English-language awards that began in 2013. The prizes are open to English-language writers at all stages of their careers from anywhere in the world, so long as they have one published book or one professionally produced play to their credit. There are 8 prizes, two for poetry: United States, and International.
Ukraine
Committee on the National Prize of Ukraine named after Taras Shevchenko
Shevchenko National Prize (Ukrainian: Націона́льна пре́мія Украї́ни і́мені Тараса́ Шевче́нка) is the highest state prize of Ukraine for works of culture and arts awarded since 1961. It is named after the inspirer of Ukrainian national revival Taras Shevchenko. See Shevchenko National Prize - Wikipedia. There are 5 categories including 'Literature (fiction or artistic literature)', which could include poetry.
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