Bennington College Young Writers Awards 2026
Bennington College
📌 About the Event
The Young Writers Awards (YWA) is one of the most prestigious high school writing competitions in the United States, hosted by Bennington College an institution famous for producing Pulitzer Prize winners and U.S. Poet Laureates. This competition is a global search for the next generation of literary talent, offering significant financial rewards and academic recognition.
ℹ️ Event Overview
- Category: Creative Writing (Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction).
- Organizer: Bennington College, Vermont, USA.
- Eligibility: High school students (Grades 9–12) worldwide.
- Cost: FREE to enter.
📅 Critical Timeline
- Submission Deadline: November 1, 2026.
- Status: OPEN. You have several months to draft, polish, and refine your work.
📝 Competition Categories
Students may submit an entry to one of the following categories:
- Poetry: A group of three poems.
- Fiction: A short story (up to 1,500 words) or a one-act play (up to 30 minutes of playing time).
- Non-fiction: A personal or expository essay (up to 1,500 words).
🚀 Submission Process by Grade
- Grades 9–11: Submit directly via the Bennington YWA online portal.
- Grade 12: Submit by completing the Common Application or Coalition Application for Bennington College.
- Note: This is non binding and has no application fee. Once submitted, you will receive an email with instructions to upload your contest entry.
🏆 Prizes & Recognition
- Cash Prizes: Awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category.
- Scholarships: Significant undergraduate scholarships for winners who choose to enroll at Bennington College:
- 1st Place: $15,000 scholarship ($60,000 over 4 years).
- 2nd Place: $10,000 scholarship ($40,000 over 4 years).
- Distinguished Honors: Recognition for top submissions at each specific grade level.