The Poet Laureate of Jamaica Prizes for Poetry Competition 2026

The National Library of Jamaica (NLJ) is proud to announce the 2026 cycle of the Poet Laureate Prizes for Poetry Competition. The Competition celebrates the richness of Jamaican poetry and creative expression.

Whether you’re a seasoned poet or just starting your writing journey, there’s a prize for you.

The categories are:

• Young Writers’ Prize for Poetry
• Louise Bennett Coverley Prize for Poetry
• Michael Cooke Prize for Poetry
• Edward Baugh Prize for Poetry

The overall winner for each category will receive a cash prize of $600 and will be invited to the awards ceremony in March 2026. Submissions are open to Jamaicans and are free to make. The deadline for submissions is 2 March 2026.

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Enquiries about submissions should be directed to the National Library of Jamaica. Please always refer to their website for complete details and information. 

Please note, this call is run by the National Library of Jamaica, not the Commonwealth Foundation.