— Poet Laureate of Jamaica
POETRY PRIZE
Welcome to the 2026 staging of the Poetry Prize Competition hosted under the Poet Laureate of Jamaica Programme.
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.
4 Categories
— Youth (18-25 years old)
1. Young Writer’s Prize for Poetry
— Parish-based (18 and over)
2. Louise Bennett Coverley Prize for Poetry
3. Michael Cooke Prize for Poetry
4. Edward Baugh Prize for Poetry
Applicants can apply to ONLY ONE category for which they are eligible.
— 1st Place Winner (in each category receives)
1) a cash prize of US $600.
2) an invitation to awards ceremony (March 2026).
Deadline: Monday March 2, 2026
Youth
Young Writer’s Prize
— Instructions
Write three (3) poems inspired by these photographs.
You can choose to focus on one or all three (3) of the photographs.
“The day After.” The Parish Church of St. John’s the Evangelist, Black River, St. Elizabeth
Photo Credit: Allison Morris
“The day After.” The Parish Church of St. John’s the Evangelist, Black River, St. Elizabeth
Photo Credit: Allison Morris
A Church in Western Jamaica after Melissa
Photo Credit: Collin Bloom
— Eligibility
AGE: The prize is open to Jamaican nationals between the ages of 18 and 25 years.
POEM: The submitted poems must be the original work of the applicant and should not have been previously published.
FOCUS: Poems should be inspired by the photographs shared in the instructions above.
— Submission Requirements for Young Writer’s Prizes
Each applicant is required to submit:
PORTFOLIO: a portfolio of three (3) original poems, inspired by the photographs shared in the instructions above. Poems should be typed on a white background with no artwork or pattern; each page must be numbered
APPLICATION: a completed application form.
RELEASE: A signed legal release form (online or physical submission accepted).
ID: a copy of a government-issued photo identification indicating Date of Birth and Address (e.g. passport, driver’s license).
Parish
Parish-based Prizes
The Edward Baugh Prize category is open to poets residing in the eastern end of the island (Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Thomas, and Portland)
The Louise Bennett Coverley prize category is open to poets residing in any of the central parishes of the island (namely, Clarendon, St. Ann, St. Mary, Manchester, and St. Catherine).
The Michael Cooke Prize category is open to poets residing in the western end of the island (namely, Hanover, Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, St. James, and Trelawny)
— Instructions
For each of the three (3) Categories, applicants should submit three (3) poems written on any subject or theme.
Applicant can only apply for one of the three (3) categories.
— Eligibility
AGE: Open to Jamaican nationals 18 years and older.
LOCATION: Applicants must reside in the parish linked to the prize category.
POEM: The submitted poems must be the original work of the applicant, written on any subject of the applicant’s choosing, and should not have been previously published.
— Submission Requirements for All Parish-Based Prizes
Each applicant is required to submit:
PORTFOLIO: a portfolio of three (3) original poems. Poems should be typed on white background with no artwork or pattern; each page must be numbered.
APPLICATION: a completed application form.
RELEASE: A signed legal release form (online or physical submission accepted).
ID: a copy of a government-issued photo identification indicating Date of Birth and Address (e.g. passport, driver’s license).
More Information
— How to Submit Your Entry
Entries can be submitted two (2) ways:
1. Using the Online Application
2. Printed Application
Using a sealed envelope to labelled:
Poet laureate of Jamaica Programme
National Library of Jamaica’s office.
12 East Street Kingston (Google Maps).
Do not include file jackets or project folders in hard copy submissions.
— Judging & Selection
•Judging will be carried out by a panel, led by the Poet Laureate of Jamaica, at the National Library of Jamaica.
• Shortlisted applicants in each category will be announced on the NLJ’s social media platforms.
• The decision of the judges is final and unanimous.
• The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in March 2026.
— Prize Categories
• 1st place – US $600
• 2nd place- US $ 250
• 3rd place – US $150
Deadline: Monday March 2, 2026
• Online Application: submission must be sent no later than 11:59 pm, March 2, 2026.
•Printed Application: your envelope must be dropped off at the NLJ Office by 5:00 p.m. on March 2, 2026