Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2026
The Foyle Foundation
📌About the Event
Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2026 is a prestigious international poetry competition for young writers aged 11–17. Run by The Poetry Society, the award gives young poets a chance to get published, receive mentoring, and be recognised globally as one of the top young poetic voices of the year. The 2026 edition is judged by John McAuliffe and Rachel Long.
ℹ️ Event Details
- Mode of Conduct: Online submission through the official competition website; postal entries are also accepted.
- Theme: Open theme — poems can be written on any topic.
- Language: Poems must be in English, British Sign Language, or Braille; English poems may include phrases from another language.
📅 Important Dates
- Applications Opened: 9 April 2026
- Last Date to Submit: 31 July 2026, midnight BST
- For Indian Students: Submit before the deadline; safer to complete the entry by 31 July 2026 IST.
🎯 Eligibility & Rules
- Eligibility:
- Open to students aged 11–17 years on the closing date, 31 July 2026.
- UK entrants can submit up to 3 poems.
- International entrants, including Indian students, can submit 1 poem.
- Submission Rules:
- Poems can be on any theme.
- Each poem must be no longer than 40 lines.
- The poem must be the entrant’s original work.
- The poem must be unpublished and should not have won another competition.
- Poems created using generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude are not allowed.
- Entries are not accepted by email; students must use the official online system or postal submission.
- Evaluation Process:
- Entries are judged anonymously.
- The two judges select 15 top winners and 85 commended poets.
- The judges’ decision is final.
🏆 Benefits for the Participants
- Top 15 Winners:
- Poems published in the winners’ print anthology.
- Receive a mentoring package from The Poetry Society, which may include workshops, feedback opportunities or a writing residential.
- Get wider recognition through The Poetry Society’s young poet network.
- 85 Commended Poets:
- Poems published in an online anthology.
- Names included in the print anthology.
- All 100 Winners:
- Receive one year of Youth Membership of The Poetry Society.
- Get ongoing support through opportunities for publication, performance, writing development and networking.
- UK-based winners receive a prize pack with books, posters and a certificate.
- International winners receive e-books and an e-certificate.