{"id":42016,"date":"2025-09-06T10:38:52","date_gmt":"2025-09-06T10:38:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opportunitiesforyouth.org\/?p=42016"},"modified":"2025-09-06T10:38:52","modified_gmt":"2025-09-06T10:38:52","slug":"apply-for-2025-commonwealth-short-story-prize","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/?p=42016","title":{"rendered":"2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize \u2013 Submissions Now Open"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"242\" data-end=\"512\">The <strong data-start=\"246\" data-end=\"285\">2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize<\/strong> is now open for entries. This prestigious international writing competition is a unique opportunity for writers from across the Commonwealth to share their stories with a global audience and win recognition for their talent.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"514\" data-end=\"561\"><strong data-start=\"514\" data-end=\"559\">Deadline: 1 November 2025 at 11:59 PM GMT<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"563\" data-end=\"608\">About the Commonwealth Short Story Prize<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"610\" data-end=\"821\">The <strong data-start=\"614\" data-end=\"648\">Commonwealth Short Story Prize<\/strong> is an annual award administered and funded by the <strong data-start=\"699\" data-end=\"726\">Commonwealth Foundation<\/strong>. It is free to enter and is open to all citizens of Commonwealth countries aged 18 and over.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"823\" data-end=\"1153\">The prize is awarded for the best piece of <strong data-start=\"866\" data-end=\"895\">unpublished short fiction<\/strong> (between 2,000 and 5,000 words). Writers may submit stories in English, as well as in Bengali, Chinese, Creole, French, Greek, Kiswahili, Malay, Maltese, Portuguese, Samoan, Tamil, and Turkish. Authors may also submit an English translation of their work.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1155\" data-end=\"1333\">An international panel of judges, representing the five Commonwealth regions (Africa, Asia, Canada and Europe, Caribbean, and Pacific), will read and deliberate on all entries.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"1335\" data-end=\"1357\">Awards and Prizes<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1359\" data-end=\"1436\">Writers have the chance to win both regional and international recognition.<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1438\" data-end=\"1712\">\n<li data-start=\"1438\" data-end=\"1468\">\n<p data-start=\"1440\" data-end=\"1468\"><strong data-start=\"1440\" data-end=\"1458\">Overall Winner<\/strong>: \u00a35,000<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1469\" data-end=\"1516\">\n<p data-start=\"1471\" data-end=\"1516\"><strong data-start=\"1471\" data-end=\"1501\">Regional Winners (5 total)<\/strong>: \u00a32,500 each<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1517\" data-end=\"1628\">\n<p data-start=\"1519\" data-end=\"1628\">Winning stories will be <strong data-start=\"1543\" data-end=\"1573\">published by Granta online<\/strong> and in a special print anthology by <strong data-start=\"1610\" data-end=\"1625\">Paper + Ink<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1629\" data-end=\"1712\">\n<p data-start=\"1631\" data-end=\"1712\">If a translated story wins, the translator will receive an additional <strong data-start=\"1701\" data-end=\"1709\">\u00a3750<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"1714\" data-end=\"1747\">Key Dates for the 2026 Prize<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"1749\" data-end=\"1979\">\n<li data-start=\"1749\" data-end=\"1791\">\n<p data-start=\"1751\" data-end=\"1791\"><strong data-start=\"1751\" data-end=\"1771\">Submissions Open<\/strong>: 1 September 2025<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1792\" data-end=\"1850\">\n<p data-start=\"1794\" data-end=\"1850\"><strong data-start=\"1794\" data-end=\"1817\">Submission Deadline<\/strong>: 1 November 2025, 11:59 PM GMT<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1851\" data-end=\"1890\">\n<p data-start=\"1853\" data-end=\"1890\"><strong data-start=\"1853\" data-end=\"1876\">Shortlist Announced<\/strong>: April 2026<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1891\" data-end=\"1935\">\n<p data-start=\"1893\" data-end=\"1935\"><strong data-start=\"1893\" data-end=\"1923\">Regional Winners Announced<\/strong>: May 2026<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1936\" data-end=\"1979\">\n<p data-start=\"1938\" data-end=\"1979\"><strong data-start=\"1938\" data-end=\"1966\">Overall Winner Announced<\/strong>: June 2026<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1981\" data-end=\"2088\">Writers should ensure their entries are submitted before the deadline. Late entries will not be accepted.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2090\" data-end=\"2115\">Eligibility Criteria<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2117\" data-end=\"2214\">To enter the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2026, writers must meet the following requirements:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2216\" data-end=\"2890\">\n<li data-start=\"2216\" data-end=\"2309\">\n<p data-start=\"2218\" data-end=\"2309\">Be a <strong data-start=\"2223\" data-end=\"2260\">citizen of a Commonwealth country<\/strong> (full list available on the official website).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2310\" data-end=\"2358\">\n<p data-start=\"2312\" data-end=\"2358\">Be <strong data-start=\"2315\" data-end=\"2336\">18 years or older<\/strong> on 1 November 2025.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2359\" data-end=\"2471\">\n<p data-start=\"2361\" data-end=\"2471\">Writers with dual Commonwealth citizenship will be judged in the region where they are permanently resident.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2472\" data-end=\"2580\">\n<p data-start=\"2474\" data-end=\"2580\">Writers do not need to currently reside in a Commonwealth country if they hold Commonwealth citizenship.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2581\" data-end=\"2664\">\n<p data-start=\"2583\" data-end=\"2664\">Stories must be <strong data-start=\"2599\" data-end=\"2627\">original and unpublished<\/strong> in any language before 1 May 2026.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2665\" data-end=\"2722\">\n<p data-start=\"2667\" data-end=\"2722\">Only <strong data-start=\"2672\" data-end=\"2696\">one entry per writer<\/strong> is permitted each year.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2723\" data-end=\"2823\">\n<p data-start=\"2725\" data-end=\"2823\">Previous overall winners and those who have won the regional prize three times are not eligible.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2824\" data-end=\"2890\">\n<p data-start=\"2826\" data-end=\"2890\">Current staff of the Commonwealth Foundation are not eligible.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"2892\" data-end=\"2918\">Submission Guidelines<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"2920\" data-end=\"3576\">\n<li data-start=\"2920\" data-end=\"3012\">\n<p data-start=\"2922\" data-end=\"3012\">Entries must be submitted via the <strong data-start=\"2956\" data-end=\"2977\">online entry form<\/strong> available from 1 September 2025.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3013\" data-end=\"3088\">\n<p data-start=\"3015\" data-end=\"3088\">Stories should be <strong data-start=\"3033\" data-end=\"3054\">2,000\u20135,000 words<\/strong> in length, excluding the title.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3089\" data-end=\"3228\">\n<p data-start=\"3091\" data-end=\"3228\">Manuscripts must be uploaded in <strong data-start=\"3123\" data-end=\"3130\">PDF<\/strong> or <strong data-start=\"3134\" data-end=\"3142\">Word<\/strong> format, saved under the story title (not as \u201cCommonwealth Story\u201d or generic names).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3229\" data-end=\"3334\">\n<p data-start=\"3231\" data-end=\"3334\">The first page should include only the <strong data-start=\"3270\" data-end=\"3285\">story title<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"3290\" data-end=\"3304\">word count<\/strong>, without the author\u2019s name.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3335\" data-end=\"3456\">\n<p data-start=\"3337\" data-end=\"3456\">Stories must be written in <strong data-start=\"3364\" data-end=\"3375\">fiction<\/strong>. Poetry, plays, and stories written exclusively for children are not eligible.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3457\" data-end=\"3576\">\n<p data-start=\"3459\" data-end=\"3576\">Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but entrants must notify the organisers if their story is accepted elsewhere.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"3578\" data-end=\"3595\">How to Enter<\/h2>\n<ol data-start=\"3597\" data-end=\"4019\">\n<li data-start=\"3597\" data-end=\"3658\">\n<p data-start=\"3600\" data-end=\"3658\">Review the <strong data-start=\"3611\" data-end=\"3655\">eligibility requirements and entry rules<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3659\" data-end=\"3753\">\n<p data-start=\"3662\" data-end=\"3753\">Prepare your short story (2,000\u20135,000 words) in English or one of the accepted languages.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3754\" data-end=\"3839\">\n<p data-start=\"3757\" data-end=\"3839\">Save your manuscript as a PDF or Word file with the story title as the filename.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3840\" data-end=\"4019\">\n<p data-start=\"3843\" data-end=\"4019\">Complete the <strong data-start=\"3856\" data-end=\"3882\">online submission form<\/strong> on the <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/commonwealthfoundation.com\/submit-to-the-prize\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"3890\" data-end=\"3978\">Commonwealth Foundation website<\/a> once entries open on 1 September 2025.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-start=\"4021\" data-end=\"4084\"><strong data-start=\"4021\" data-end=\"4082\">Final Submission Deadline: 1 November 2025, 11:59 PM GMT.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"4086\" data-end=\"4119\">Writing Advice for the Prize<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4121\" data-end=\"4207\">If you are preparing your entry, consider these tips to strengthen your short story:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"4209\" data-end=\"4776\">\n<li data-start=\"4209\" data-end=\"4328\">\n<p data-start=\"4211\" data-end=\"4328\"><strong data-start=\"4211\" data-end=\"4238\">Write with authenticity<\/strong>: Judges value original voices that reflect diverse experiences across the Commonwealth.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4329\" data-end=\"4448\">\n<p data-start=\"4331\" data-end=\"4448\"><strong data-start=\"4331\" data-end=\"4356\">Choose a strong theme<\/strong>: Stories can be written in any genre but should engage readers with creativity and depth.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4449\" data-end=\"4581\">\n<p data-start=\"4451\" data-end=\"4581\"><strong data-start=\"4451\" data-end=\"4470\">Edit thoroughly<\/strong>: Revise your story for clarity, grammar, and flow. Reading your work aloud helps refine language and pacing.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4582\" data-end=\"4669\">\n<p data-start=\"4584\" data-end=\"4669\"><strong data-start=\"4584\" data-end=\"4614\">Stay within the word count<\/strong>: Ensure your story is between 2,000 and 5,000 words.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4670\" data-end=\"4776\">\n<p data-start=\"4672\" data-end=\"4776\"><strong data-start=\"4672\" data-end=\"4688\">Submit early<\/strong>: Avoid last-minute technical issues by uploading your story well before the deadline.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"4778\" data-end=\"4924\">Writers can also access <strong data-start=\"4802\" data-end=\"4848\">guidance from past winners and expert tips<\/strong> to prepare their entries by signing up through the official prize portal.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"4926\" data-end=\"4957\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4959\" data-end=\"5155\"><strong data-start=\"4959\" data-end=\"5004\">How do I know my entry has been received?<\/strong><br data-start=\"5004\" data-end=\"5007\" \/>If you receive a reference number at the end of your submission, your entry has been received. Confirmation emails may appear in your spam folder.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5157\" data-end=\"5286\"><strong data-start=\"5157\" data-end=\"5225\">Can I enter a story I have already submitted in a previous year?<\/strong><br data-start=\"5225\" data-end=\"5228\" \/>No. Stories submitted in earlier years are not eligible.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5288\" data-end=\"5518\"><strong data-start=\"5288\" data-end=\"5343\">Can I submit a story published on my personal blog?<\/strong><br data-start=\"5343\" data-end=\"5346\" \/>Yes. Stories published on personal blogs, websites, or social media are eligible. However, stories published in magazines, anthologies, or other public platforms are not.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5520\" data-end=\"5689\"><strong data-start=\"5520\" data-end=\"5560\">Will I receive feedback on my entry?<\/strong><br data-start=\"5560\" data-end=\"5563\" \/>Due to the high volume of entries (around 8,000 annually), the Commonwealth Foundation does not provide individual feedback.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5691\" data-end=\"5970\"><strong data-start=\"5691\" data-end=\"5722\">Do you accept translations?<\/strong><br data-start=\"5722\" data-end=\"5725\" \/>Yes. Stories may be submitted in Bengali, Chinese, Creole, French, Greek, Kiswahili, Malay, Maltese, Portuguese, Samoan, Tamil, and Turkish. English translations are also eligible, and translators of winning stories receive an additional \u00a3750.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5972\" data-end=\"6150\">For the full list of <strong data-start=\"5993\" data-end=\"6034\">eligible countries and detailed rules<\/strong>, visit the <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/commonwealthfoundation.com\/short-story-prize\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"6046\" data-end=\"6147\">Commonwealth Short Story Prize official page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"6152\" data-end=\"6168\">Get Started<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"6170\" data-end=\"6291\">\n<li data-start=\"6170\" data-end=\"6231\">\n<p data-start=\"6172\" data-end=\"6231\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commonwealthfoundation.com\/short-story-prize\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sign up for writing guidance and tips from past winners<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6232\" data-end=\"6263\">\n<p data-start=\"6234\" data-end=\"6263\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commonwealthfoundation.com\/short-story-prize\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the full entry rules<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6264\" data-end=\"6291\">\n<p data-start=\"6266\" data-end=\"6291\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commonwealthfoundation.com\/short-story-prize\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enter your story here<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"6293\" data-end=\"6463\">Do not miss this chance to share your voice with the world. Submit your short story to the <a href=\"https:\/\/commonwealthfoundation.com\/short-story-prize\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong data-start=\"6384\" data-end=\"6423\">2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize<\/strong> <\/a>by <strong data-start=\"6427\" data-end=\"6460\">1 November 2025, 11:59 PM GMT<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize is now open for entries. This prestigious international writing competition is a unique opportunity for writers from across the Commonwealth to share their stories with a global audience and win recognition for their talent. Deadline: 1 November 2025 at 11:59 PM GMT About the Commonwealth Short Story Prize The&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":61958,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,23,28,29,44,24,31,33,34,26,35],"tags":[114,138],"class_list":{"0":"post-42016","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"hentry","7":"category-africa","8":"category-america","9":"category-asia","10":"category-australia-and-oceania","11":"category-awards","12":"category-competition","13":"category-continent","14":"category-europe","15":"category-latin-america-and-the-caribbean","16":"category-middle-east","17":"category-south-america","18":"tag-commonwealth","19":"tag-story-telling","20":"article","21":"","23":"has-excerpt","24":"has-avatar","25":"has-author","26":"has-nickname","27":"has-date","28":"has-comment-count","29":"has-category-meta","30":"has-read-more","31":"has-title","32":"has-post-media","33":"thumbnail-","34":"has-tfm-share-icons"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42016","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=42016"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42016\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/61958"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=42016"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=42016"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=42016"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}