Applicant criteria
- No specific age required
- Both
Opportunity criteria
Opportunity description
The Poetry Society is one of the leading literary organizations in the United Kingdom, dedicated to supporting poets and promoting poetry worldwide. It organizes competitions, poetry readings, workshops, and publications to foster creativity and connect poets across cultures and generations.
The National Poetry Competition is one of the most prestigious international awards for a single, unpublished poem. It opens annually to poets from around the world, and entries are judged by a panel of renowned poets. The 2025 edition offers a first prize of £5,000, second prize of £3,000, and third prize of £2,000, in addition to commendations worth £500 each for outstanding poems.
Deadline
October 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM (GMT).
Benefits
Cash prizes for the top three winners (£5,000 / £3,000 / £2,000)
Commendation awards of £500
Publication and public recognition
Valuable addition to the poet’s portfolio and literary career
Opportunity to be read and judged by expert poets and gain international exposure
Eligibility criteria
Open to all poets regardless of nationality or age
Poems must be original and unpublished
Entry fee: £8 for the first poem and £6 for each additional poem (Poetry Society members may submit one extra poem for free)