About this opportunity
Commonwealth Foundation’s annual prize is for the best piece of unpublished short fiction. Regional winners are chosen for Africa, Asia, Canada and Europe, the Caribbean and the Pacific, with one overall winner.
Entries are free and accepted in Bengali, Chinese, Creole, English, French, Greek, Malay, Maltese, Portuguese, Samoan, Swahili, Tamil and Turkish, and in English translation from any language. The 2026 prize closed on 1 November 2025 — check the official page for the current call.
Who can apply
Citizens of Commonwealth countries aged 18 or over, with unpublished short fiction.
- Eligible nationalities
- Commonwealth countries
- Open to
- Undergraduates, Recent graduates, Professionals
What the funding covers
Cash prizes for regional and overall winners (see the current rules).
- Tuition Not stated — check the official page
- Stipend or salary Not stated — check the official page
- Travel Not stated — check the official page
- Accommodation Not stated — check the official page
- Health insurance Not stated — check the official page
"Not separately covered" means the provider does not pay for it on top — you pay it yourself, usually from the stipend if there is one.
Documents & tests
The exact document list for this opportunity is not recorded yet. These are the documents usually asked for — confirm the final list on the official page.
- Valid passport
- Transcripts and degree or school-leaving certificates (with certified English translations if needed)
- CV
- Statement of purpose, motivation letter or study plan
- Recommendation letters (usually two)
- English test score (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.) or waiver evidence
- Tests
- Not stated — check the official page
- Application fee
- None — free to enter
How to apply
General steps — the provider's own instructions always take priority.
- Read the full eligibility rules on commonwealthfoundation.com and confirm you meet every mandatory condition.
- Confirm this year's deadline and time zone on the official page — dates change every cycle.
- Prepare your documents and book any language test early; results can take two weeks or more.
- Write your statement, CV and other texts specifically for this opportunity.
- Submit through the official portal only, keep the confirmation email, and track your application here.
Before you apply
Tick each item as you confirm it. Your ticks are saved in this browser.
Quick answers
Who can apply for Commonwealth Short Story Prize?
Open to: Commonwealth countries. Level: Undergraduates, Recent graduates, Professionals. See "Who can apply" for the full rules.
Is Commonwealth Short Story Prize fully funded?
The funding type is not confirmed in our record.
What is the deadline for Commonwealth Short Story Prize?
The next deadline has not been announced yet. This program runs every year — save it to get an alert when we add the new date. Always confirm the date and time zone on the official website.
Does Commonwealth Short Story Prize require IELTS or another test?
Our record does not state a test requirement — check the official page and your chosen university.
How do I apply for Commonwealth Short Story Prize?
Apply only on the official website (commonwealthfoundation.com). The full steps are listed under "How to apply".
Is there an application fee?
None — free to enter. ScholarsChapter never charges a fee, and no agent can sell you a place.
Generated from this listing's verified details. More questions? See the FAQs.
Verification
- Information
- Not yet verified — confirm all details on the official page
- Official source
- commonwealthfoundation.com
- Last checked
- 19 Oct 2026
- Listing updated
- 19 Oct 2026
ScholarsChapter is an independent listing service. We never charge application fees. Deadlines, amounts and eligibility can change — always apply through the official website. How we verify listings
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