Deadline: 1 November 2025,
Description
The Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2026 is now open for submissions, offering a unique platform to discover and celebrate the best emerging voices from across the Commonwealth. Each year, thousands of writers submit unpublished works of short fiction between 2,000 and 5,000 words. The prize is entirely free to enter and open to any Commonwealth citizen over the age of 18. Stories can be written in multiple languages—including English, Bengali, Chinese, French, Greek, Malay, Maltese, Portuguese, Samoan, Swahili, Tamil, and Turkish—or translated into English.
Administered by the Commonwealth Foundation, this annual prize not only rewards outstanding talent but also provides visibility to diverse literary traditions across regions. Winning stories are read globally, shaping new conversations in literature and culture.
Eligibility
The competition is open to citizens of any Commonwealth country aged 18 or above. Submissions must be unpublished works of short fiction (2,000–5,000 words). Each entrant may submit only one story, and previously submitted entries are not eligible. Writers are free to choose their genre—literary, speculative, crime, romance, or historical fiction—as long as it remains within the realm of short fiction.
Benefits
Winners of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize receive significant recognition and financial support.
- Overall winner: £5,000
- Regional winners: £2,500 each
- Publication opportunities: All five regional winning stories will be published on Granta, while shortlisted works may appear in adda, the Commonwealth Foundation’s online literary magazine.
- Translation support: If a winning story is translated into English, the translator receives an additional prize of £750.
This combination of financial reward, publication, and global exposure makes the prize one of the most influential awards for new and established writers alike.
How to Apply
Writers must submit their entries through the official online entry form available on the. The deadline for submissions is 1 November 2025 at 11:59 PM GMT. Stories must be unpublished, original, and within the word limit of 2,000–5,000 words.
Submissions will be reviewed by an international judging panel composed of prominent writers and literary figures from across the Commonwealth’s regions. A longlist of 200 entries will be narrowed down to around 25 shortlisted stories, from which five regional winners will be chosen, followed by the announcement of the overall winner at the award ceremony in June 2026.
Contact Information
For questions or further details, applicants can contact the organizers directly at: creatives@commonwealthfoundation.com
For more information, visit the official website.
