Cave Canem Prize 2026 for Black Poets ($10,000 prize) – YOA

Deadline: May 8, 2025

Applications are open for the Cave Canem Prize 2026. The Cave Canem Prize helps the work of Black poets to beat the impediment of publishing their first e book of poems. Awarded to at least one poet yearly, the Prize recipient receives a financial award, in addition to having their manuscript printed by considered one of their accomplice publishers, Graywolf Press; University of Pittsburgh Press; or University of Georgia Press.

This yr marks the twenty fifth anniversary of the Cave Canem Prize, which was launched in 1999. To commemorate this historic milestone, Cave Canem has elevated the financial award to $10,000.

Prizes

• Winner receives $10,000;
• publication by way of Graywolf Press in Fall 2025;
• 15 copies of the e book; and
• A featured studying with the chosen choose, introduced by Cave Canem.

Eligibility

• Open to all unpublished, authentic collections of poems written in English by Black poets who haven’t had a full-size e book of poetry printed by an expert press. Cave Canem defines Black poets as any poet who identifies as a member of the African Diaspora.
• Black authors of chapbooks and self-printed books with a most print run of 500 copies are additionally eligible to apply.
• Current or former college students, colleagues, staff, members of the family and shut pals of the choose; present or former staff and members of the board of Cave Canem Foundation or Graywolf Press; and authors who’ve printed a e book or have a e book below contract with Graywolf Press are ineligible.

Note that within the occasion that an applicant has submitted the identical manuscript to different competitions and receives an award, they need to disclose this data to Cave Canem. By making use of, the Cave Canem Prize Winner agrees to be current within the continental United States at her or his personal expense shortly after the e book is printed as a way to take part in promotional studying(s).

Application

Submissions for the 2026 Cave Canem Prize open now till May 8, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET.

Click here to apply

For extra data, go to Cave Canem Prize.