Opportunities

Programs, scholarships and competitions open to any high schooler. No chapter needed.

• Berkeley Youth Poet Laureate 2027

  Berkeley Public LibraryBerkeley, CA — local residents or studentscloses Oct 30, 2026

  Represent Berkeley through poetry, public performances and a community arts project. Applicants must be ages 13–18 on January 1, 2027 AND live in Berkeley or attend school there. This is a local civic and writing opportunity, not a remote national competition. Apply September 1–October 30, 2026 through the library's linked form. Prepare basic contact information, a resume/CV, and THREE original poems totaling no more than 10 pages. The resume may include school, work, civic engagement, social justice, awards and other skills; beginners can leave irrelevant sections blank but must submit a resume. A template is provided. The laureate and vice laureate serve for the 2027 calendar year, perform at library and city events, participate in writing workshops and help build a youth writing community. They may also represent Berkeley in the National Youth Poet Laureate competition. Questions: youthpoet@berkeleyca.gov.

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• Bennington Young Writers Awards 2026–27 — Poetry

  Bennington CollegeOnlinecloses Nov 1, 2026

  Free international poetry competition for students in grades 9–12. Submit 1–3 original poems in English, totaling no more than 1,500 words including titles and other text. Choose only one writing category. A teacher must review and sponsor your entry; homeschooled students may use a mentor. AI assistance at any stage is prohibited. Awards: $2,000 first, $1,000 second, $500 third; distinguished entries may receive $250. Separate college scholarships require enrollment at Bennington. Apply by November 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern. Grades 9–11 register through the Young Creators portal. IMPORTANT: grade 12 entrants must first submit a nonbinding Bennington Common or Coalition Application and indicate award interest; there is no application fee or supplemental essay. Winners are announced in spring.

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• Manningham Trust Student Poetry Contest 2027 — Grades 9–12

  National Federation of State Poetry SocietiesOnlinecloses Nov 15, 2026

  Free national poetry competition for U.S. high-school students, including public, private and homeschool students. Select the grades 9–12 senior division in Submittable and send ONE original poem between September 15 and November 15, 2026. Previously published or previously awarded poems are allowed. Format: one sheet, 12-point Times or Times New Roman, no graphics or identifying information. Each line must be at most 60 characters, counting spaces and punctuation. Sign the originality declaration; AI brainstorming, drafting and revision are prohibited. Ten prizes: $75, $50, $40, $35, $30 and five $10 honorable mentions. All winning poems appear in the student anthology, with free copies for winners and their school libraries. Awards are mailed to students; top poems will be read at the July 2027 NFSPS convention.

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