PEN Heaney Prize

The prize, delivered as a partnership between English PEN, Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann and the Estate of Seamus Heaney, recognises a single volume of poetry by one author, published in the UK or Ireland, of outstanding literary merit that engages with the impact of cultural or political events on human conditions or relationships. It is open to both original English language collections and those translated into English.

The PEN Heaney Prize 2026 will be judged by poets Victoria Adukwei Bulley, Vona Groarke and Stephen Sexton.

Submissions for collections published between 1 January and 30 June 2026 are now open until 31 May 2026. The second submissions window, for collections published between 1 July and 31 December 2026, will be open from 1–31 July 2026.

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Enquiries about submissions should be directed to English PEN. Please always refer to their website for complete details and information. 

Please note, this call is run by English PEN, not the Commonwealth Foundation.