The Bennington College Young Writers Award 2025–2026 is now accepting applications. Candidates are urged to visit here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Opportunity Details
Bennington College has given many of our nation’s foremost writers their start. They include twelve Pulitzer Prize winners, three U.S. poet laureates, four MacArthur Geniuses, and authors of countless New York Times bestsellers.
In celebration of this legacy, Bennington hosts the Young Writers Awards to honor outstanding writing achievement at the high school level. This annual event represents one of the most prestigious high school writing competitions in the country. High school students worldwide are invited to enter.
Cash Prizes:
1st place: $2,000
2nd place: $1,000
3rd place: $500
Distinguished Writer: $250
Scholarships for Bennington College:
Winners: Full-tuition (~$60,000/year)
Distinguished Writers: Half-tuition (~$30,000/year)
Finalists: $25,000/year
Grade Level: Must be a student in grades 9–12
Nationality: Open to international students—any country can apply
Entry Limit: Only one entry per student per year
Categories: Choose one of the following:
Fiction (short story or excerpt, max 1500 words)
Nonfiction (personal or academic essay, max 1500 words)
Poetry (1–3 poems, combined max 1500 words)
Apply for Bennington College Young Writers Award