Bennington College Young Writers Awards 2026-2027
by Bennington College
A highly prestigious annual creative writing competition recognizing global high school talent in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.
Eligibility: Open to high school students worldwide (grades 9–12). Submissions must be original, written in English, and approved by a sponsoring high school teacher or mentor. Limited to one entry in a single category: Poetry (1–3 poems), Fiction (max 1,500 words), or Nonfiction (max 1,500 words).
Cost: No entry fee required.
Benefits: Cash prizes up to $2,000 for top placements ($2,000 for 1st, $1,000 for 2nd, $500 for 3rd, $250 for distinguished). Also includes massive 4-year undergraduate scholarships to Bennington College if accepted/enrolled: full-tuition for winners, half-tuition for distinguished writers, and $25,000/year for finalists.
Location: Online
Duration: Annual submission cycle opening September 1st. Winners are typically announced the following April.
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