Bennington Young Writers Awards

About the opportunity

The Bennington College Young Writers Awards celebrate exceptional high school students in grades 9-12 whose writing demonstrates originality, curiosity, craft, and creative ambition. Operating for two decades, this long-running program recognizes outstanding poetry, fiction, and nonfiction by the next generation of literary voices. Open to students worldwide, entries are free and evaluated by a panel of Bennington readers, including faculty, students, and alumni. Winning and distinguished entries receive cash prizes and are eligible for substantial four-year tuition scholarships if they enroll as undergraduates at Bennington College. All submissions are strictly reviewed for authenticity and originality, and artificial intelligence tools are not permitted.

Funding and benefits

• First place cash prize: $2,000 per category
• Second place cash prize: $1,000 per category
• Third place cash prize: $500 per category
• Distinguished designation cash prize: $250
• Full-tuition scholarship for four years at Bennington College for First Place Winners who enroll
• Half-tuition scholarship for four years at Bennington College for Distinguished Designation Recipients who enroll
• $25,000 annual scholarship for four years at Bennington College for Finalists who enroll
• Potential publication and showcase opportunities on Bennington's website, social media, and publications

Who can apply?

• Open to high school students in grades 9-12 worldwide
• Students must submit original work that does not use artificial intelligence tools in any way
• Each student may submit work in only one category and is allowed only one submission per discipline award
• Entries must be reviewed and approved by a sponsoring teacher or mentor
• Grade 12 students must also complete the Common Application or Coalition Application process for Bennington College
• Students who have already graduated from high school are not eligible

Required documents

• Fiction entry: one short story or a standalone excerpt from a longer work (limit of 1,500 words)
• Nonfiction entry: a personal or creative nonfiction essay or a standalone excerpt from a longer work (limit of 1,500 words)
• Poetry entry: between 1 to 3 poems with a combined limit of 1,500 words
• Common Application or Coalition Application (required for grade 12 students applying to Bennington College)

When to apply

• Submissions open annually on September 1 at 9:00 AM ET
• Submission deadline is November 1 at 11:59 PM ET
• Round 1 judging by faculty and student panels takes place from November to December
• Round 2 judging by an external panel and winner selection takes place in January
• Award winners are announced and works are published in the Spring

How to apply

• Prepare an original submission in poetry, fiction, or nonfiction within the strict 1,500-word limit
• Have your entry reviewed and approved by a high school teacher or mentor sponsor
• Submit your entry online through the designated Bennington College registration portal between September 1 and November 1
• Grade 12 students must also submit an application via the Common Application or Coalition Application process

Additional information

• There is no entry fee to participate in the awards
• All text including titles, headers, footers, and citations count toward the 1,500-word limit
• Submissions must be typed and provided in English