Cave Canem Prize 2026 for Black Poets

The Cave Canem Prize 2026 is an annual prize awarded to an unpublished, original collection of poems by a Black poet who writes in English. The winner receives $10,000, and the manuscript is published by one of Cave Canem’s partner presses, with additional benefits including copies and a featured reading. Submissions are open for the 2026 prize and close on May 8, 2025.

Monetary award of $10,000; publication of the manuscript by a partner press; 15 copies of the book; featured reading with the selected judge

Open to all unpublished, original collections of poems written in English by Black poets who have not had a full-length book of poetry published by a professional press.

Submissions are accepted via the provided online submission form; follow the application instructions on the Cave Canem Prize page