Competition opportunities

Creative Writing for Social Change’s second annual writing competition invites alumni to submit a short piece of original writing focused on a social issue they care about. The entry should be a self-contained scene or snapshot, written in 1,000 words or fewer, and designed to bring a moment, character, emotion, or atmosphere to life. The competition is open only to people who have already taken part in Creative Writing for Social Change programmes. Submissions are then put to a public vote, which helps determine the three finalists before a judging panel chooses the overall winner. Prizes include cash awards and access to the organisation’s programmes, with the top entry receiving the largest prize and lifetime access. The competition is a chance for alumni to share powerful work, build an audience, and continue developing their writing through a social-change lens.

The BPA Short Story Award is a literary competition created to discover emerging voices and showcase strong short fiction. Entrants submit an original short story of up to 2,500 words for the chance to be judged by literary professionals, including an agent and a writer. The competition is open internationally, but the work must be written in English and submitted online.

Black Box Gallery’s Black and White Photography Competition is a juried group photo show focused on monochrome imagery. The theme, “Camera Work: Black and White,” invites photographers to submit work that explores the classic, nostalgic, and contemporary possibilities of black-and-white photography. The contest is open to photographers worldwide and is designed for artists working in photography, especially those with cohesive or thoughtfully composed image sets. Entries are submitted digitally by email, with the competition setting technical requirements for file format, size, and image resolution. Selected photographers will be included in an exhibition at Black Box Gallery in Portland, Oregon. The prize also includes free framing, matting, and printing provided by the gallery, making the exhibition a strong opportunity for visibility and professional presentation.

The Writers' College Annual Short Story Competition is an international fiction competition for emerging writers. It welcomes original short stories from beginners around the world and is designed to showcase fresh voices, strong characterisation, and inventive storytelling. The competition is themed each year, and entrants must write to the set prompt while creating their own unique title. Entries must be original, unpublished, written in English, and no longer than 2,000 words. Writers may enter only one story, and the competition rules exclude professional writers such as journalists, copywriters, web writers, and content writers, as well as anyone who has earned a living from writing. Generative AI is not allowed. The competition offers cash prizes and publication in an anthology of winning stories. The top three winners also receive editorial comments from the judges. It is free to enter during the earlybird period, with a paid entry fee applying afterwards.

Raindance’s Script Competition invites emerging screenwriters to submit original short, feature, and television scripts for review by industry specialists. The competition is built to champion independent storytelling and to create visibility for writers whose work is ready to be discovered by the film and television industry. Entries progress through judging stages that include quarterfinalists, semifinalists, and finalists, with the final shortlist named to The Raindance Discovery List. Selected scripts are shared with production companies and industry partners, and winners are chosen in each category. The competition also aims to protect writers’ ownership of their work while creating opportunities for networking, recognition, and possible future collaboration.

Lincoln Book Festival 2026 is a literary festival from CVS Lincolnshire that brings together audiences of all ages with well-known writers, journalists, academics, cultural commentators and public figures. The programme includes talks, readings, panel discussions, workshops and Q&As, alongside family-friendly activities and events for different literary interests and formats. A key feature of the festival page is the Flash Fiction Competition, which invites writers of all ages to produce a complete story in exactly 50 words on the theme of hobbies. The competition is designed to be accessible to first-time writers as well as experienced creators, with entries judged in primary, secondary and adult categories. Winners receive a book voucher, selected entries are published online, and shortlisted writers may share their work with a live audience. The page also lists a series of Flash Fiction Workshops delivered by Zest Theatre and associated venues in Lincoln and Sutton on Sea. These sessions are aimed mainly at ages 11-18, with one all-ages session included, giving young people and families a chance to develop ideas and experiment with short-form creative writing in an engaging, supported setting.

The Royal Society for Public Health’s annual Student Essay Competition invites RSPH Student Members to submit an original essay on a public health question. The competition is run in partnership with SAGE Publications and is designed for students who want to build their writing, research, and critical thinking skills while engaging with a contemporary issue in public health. Entrants are asked to respond to the set essay title in no more than 1,000 words, with a limit on references and supporting tables or figures. The competition provides an opportunity to publish strong student writing and to showcase ideas that contribute to debates about improving population health. The winning article will be published in Perspectives in Public Health and the winner will also receive a package of vouchers, free RSPH membership, and a short term on the journal’s editorial board. Submission is via the form on the page, with a contact email provided for further information.

The Norfolk Cambridge Society Student Awards 2026/2027 is a competitive awards scheme for students attending any Norfolk school sixth form or sixth form college. Applicants may submit work in their chosen format: an essay, a short video or audio file, or artwork in any medium. The scheme is intended to support students thinking about applying to university and to provide financial help to successful applicants.

Entrants must submit their entry by midnight on 28 January 2027. A shortlist of applicants will be interviewed via Zoom and winners will be decided by the panel. Awards of up to A3600 will be made to winners, with awards scheduled to be announced by the end of March 2027.

More information will be available from participating colleges in September. Prospective applicants can register now to receive further details by emailing awards@norfolkcambridgesociety.org.uk.

Music Forge New Artist is an international music performance competition for solo instrumentalists, singers, chamber ensembles, choirs, and orchestras. The competition is organised through a two-stage process: an online preliminary round based on a performance video and project proposal, followed by a live final in Lucera, Italy. An internationally renowned jury reviews the entries and selects 10 finalists for the final stages. Applicants are required to submit a publicly accessible video of no more than 12 minutes, along with a written proposal of up to 500 words in Italian or English. The video must be a single continuous take, filmed from a fixed camera, with no edits or post-production. The competition rules also set out age-based categories for soloists and average-age categories for chamber, choir, and orchestra sections. The main prize is a €3,000 cash award together with a recording contract that includes professional recording, publication, worldwide distribution, and management of the winner’s debut album. The total value of the overall first prize is stated as €15,000, and the live final and winners’ concert take place at Circolo Unione 1860 in Lucera, Italy.

RGU CADathon 2026 is a student design challenge sponsored by IMechE and Engineer a Career. Hosted at Robert Gordon University, it brings together students interested in engineering, product design, manufacturing, and innovation for a hands-on CAD-based competition. Teams will be given a problem brief on the day and must develop a CAD model of their solution, alongside a presentation explaining their design process and final concept. At the end of the event, teams will present to a panel of judges. The winning team will receive a prize, a certificate from the Dean of Engineering, and recognition on RGU and IMechE social channels. Participants should bring their own device, and food and refreshments will be provided throughout the day.

The Reinecke International Music Competition is an online competition dedicated to the legacy of Carl Reinecke. It is open to musicians worldwide and welcomes entrants across multiple categories, making it accessible to a broad range of performers and styles. The page highlights the 2026 Season 3 of the competition and notes that participants can expect awards and opportunities as part of the programme. The competition appears to celebrate artistic excellence while connecting performers with recognition through a global online format. The application deadline for this season is 1st September 2026, with results announced on 18th September 2026. No age restrictions, fees, or detailed category requirements are stated on the provided page.

The Sovereign Minds SPEAR Oratory Prize is a speaking competition for young people aged 16-18. Entrants are invited to prepare and deliver a speech on one of the ten SPEAR target subjects, with the aim of offering ideas, insight, and practical solutions to important global issues. The competition is designed to build confidence, critical thinking, mindfulness, and independence through public speaking. Finalists’ speeches will be judged by influential voices on the global stage in a prestigious central London location, creating a high-profile setting for participants to showcase their ideas and oratory skills. The winner will receive a £10,000 prize. For SPEAR27, competition entries are expected to open in September 2026, with the published round dates running through qualifiers, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final in March 2027.

The Junior Science Olympiad Exam (JSOE) is an online, bilingual individual written test hosted by Australian Science Innovations (ASI). It is designed to strengthen students’ problem-solving ability and critical thinking across a broad range of science topics, including Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Earth & Environment Science. The competition is open to students in Grade 7-10 / Year 8-11 and takes place over 120 minutes. Participants compete for global awards including High Distinction, Distinction, and Credit, with results determined by Australian cut-off scores. Registration includes the exam, grading, proctoring, past papers, and certificates, and the registration deadline is two weeks before the competition date.

The LSESU Economics Society Economics Challenge is a global essay competition hosted by the LSESU Economics Society, with official support from the LSE Economics Department. It is designed for high school students interested in economics and academic writing, and the essay questions are set by current LSE Economics professors and distinguished economists. Entrants choose one of five essay questions covering topics such as technology and worker wellbeing, energy and economics, AI and employment, taxation and fairness, and green technology. Essays must be written in English, be no more than 1,500 words excluding references, and use Harvard-style referencing is recommended. Students submit their work online, and no prior registration is required. The competition is free to enter and awards certificates to winning students, with prizes including money awards for top submissions. Outstanding entries may also progress to further elite economics challenges and a selective camp, making this a prestigious opportunity for students looking to strengthen their economics profile.

Newmusiconthebayou is inviting composers to submit works for consideration in its 2027 festival. The call includes a range of submission categories, from chamber ensembles such as duos and trios to brass and percussion ensembles, solo or mixed ensemble works, digital media pieces, live improvisatory works, and installation works. The festival is scheduled for June 2-5, 2027 in Monroe and Ruston, Louisiana. The submission guidelines emphasize anonymous judging, with names removed from scores and recordings for award consideration. Composers should provide computer-generated PDF parts and transposing scores where needed. Works of any length are eligible, although shorter pieces under 15 minutes are prioritised, and pieces written within the previous five years are encouraged. Selected composers may receive travel support, lodging information, and professional audio recordings after the festival.

Keystone Tutors' Children's Writing Competition 2026 returns for summer 2026 with two separate competitions, giving children and teenagers the chance to develop imagination, storytelling skill and creative confidence. The Junior Competition is open to writers aged 5-13 (Years 1-8), while the Senior Competition is open to writers aged 14-18 (Years 9-13). Junior entrants can write up to 800 words on the theme “Mystery” or choose from the suggested titles, while senior entrants can write up to 1,500 words on the theme “Other Worlds” or one of the suggested prompts. In both competitions, entries must be original, written in English prose, and AI use is forbidden. Entries should be emailed to enquiries@keystonetutors.com as either a typed Word document or a clear photo of a handwritten story. Winners receive a £100 Waterstone’s voucher and a one-to-one Creative Writing Masterclass with a Keystone tutor, runner-up receives the masterclass, and every entrant receives brief tailored feedback.

The World Photography Organisation’s Youth competition celebrates standout single images created by photographers aged 19 and under. Entry is free, and each entrant can submit up to three images related to the competition theme through the official website or one of the official Sony World Photography Award websites.

Entrants must upload original photographic work taken in 2026, and images are judged as single images rather than as a series. A shortlist of up to 10 photographers is selected, with global press exposure and online promotion available to shortlisted entrants.

The overall winner receives Sony Digital Imaging equipment, a trophy, certificate, copy of the book, inclusion in the annual book and exhibition, plus flights and accommodation to attend the black-tie awards ceremony in London. Winners are announced online and at the ceremony in April 2027.

The IOA (Institute of Acoustics) Young Persons Competition 2026 invites young people to explore acoustics, sound, noise and vibration through creative, scientific or technical responses to the theme "Sound Unleashed". Entrants may discuss how sound shapes experiences, where technology helps or falls short, or how better sound design can improve communities and the environment. Submissions may be from individuals or teams (up to five), and the organisers welcome work from students interested in music, film, engineering, gaming, wildlife and related areas. Participants should submit a short video (preferably MP4) of no more than five minutes. Winners will receive £1,000 per winning entry. Full submission requirements, judging criteria and deadlines are provided in the attached PDF documents linked on the IOA webpage (Terms & Conditions and Full Details). For questions or clarification email discoveracoustics@ioa.org.uk and follow the instructions in the Full Details PDF to make your submission.

Queen's University Belfast is running a "Check In To Win" competition linked to its June and October 2026 Open Days. To enter, prospective undergraduate applicants must pre-register to attend and then check in at Queen's Open Day on Saturday 6 June 2026 or Saturday 3 October 2026. The entry period runs from 00:01 on 6 June 2026 until 23:59 on 3 October 2026 (GMT). Entrants are limited to one entry each and must provide their first name, surname and email address when registering. The winner will be selected by electronic draw and contacted by 1 November 2026.

Write on Art is a national writing programme run by Art UK in partnership with the Paul Mellon Centre. It invites young people aged 13 6-9 to explore Art UK's digital catalogue of public art collections and to develop personal, creative and critical written responses to artworks. The programme includes a competition element with a prize; full details of the prize and how to enter are available on the Art UK website. Participants are encouraged to research artworks in the UK public collection, reflect on them, and present those reflections as creative or critical writing. The programme aims to develop skills in observation, interpretation and communication through written work and to offer opportunities for young writers to have their work recognised. Visit the Art UK Write on Art page for entry instructions, submission guidelines and timelines.