The following is a list of fellowships and writing contests with upcoming deadlines. All of these are completely free to enter. There is no charge or other fee associated with any of these contests.

Prizes and awards range from $500 to $25,000.

1. The National Endowment for the Arts’ Literature Fellowships are now open. Poets must have published either “a volume of 48 or more pages of poetry” or “twenty or more different poems…in five or more literary journals.” Fellows will receive $25,000 grants. Deadline is March 9, 2016. To learn more, read the grant guidelines.
2. The Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize is open for emerging writers to submit their nonfiction projects. Writers must have a manuscript in progress to enter the contest. The winner will be awarded a $12,000 advance from Graywolf and will receive editorial guidance from the press. Deadline is January 31, 2016. To learn more, read the contest guidelines.

3. The Massachusetts Cultural Council is accepting Artist Fellowship applications in the areas of fiction and nonfiction. Writers who have lived in Massachusetts for the last two years and who are current residents may submit a manuscript of 25 pages or less. The Council will award competitive grants of $12,000 and finalist awards of $1,000. Deadline is January 25, 2016. To learn more, read the fellowship guidelines.

4. The Tennessee Arts Commission is accepting applications for Individual Artist Fellowships. Writers must live in Tennessee, and the Commission also requires that “to qualify, an artist must be financially compensated for his or her work, and this compensation must be a significant source of support for their livelihood.” Each fellow will be awarded $5,000. Deadline is January 25, 2016. To learn more, read the grant guidelines.

5. Virginia Commonwealth University is hosting the 2016 Levis Reading Prize. Honoring the late Larry Levis, the prize awards $5,000 to a poet whose first or second book was published in 2015. The winner will also receive an all expenses paid trip to Richmond for a reading in the fall. Deadline is February 1, 2016. To learn more, read the prize guidelines.

6. The 2015 RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers is currently open to Canadian writers under the age of 35. Poets who have not published a book may submit 5 to 10 pages of poetry. The winner will receive $5,000, and two runners-up will receive $1,000 each. Deadline is March 7, 2016. To learn more, read the award guidelines.

7. Thunderbird Stories is holding their National Indigenous Writing Contest. Canadian writers who have proven Indigenous ancestry may submit Indigenous-based stories of less than 3000 words. First place will win$2,000; second place will win $1,000; and third place will win $500. Deadline is February 26, 2016. To learn more, read the contest guidelines.

8. Event Horizon Magazine is hosting a science poetry competition. Poets are invited to submit up to three poems that “incorporate scientific thinking, concepts, or principles.” The winner will receive $500 and publication in the April 2016 issue of Event Horizon. Deadline is February 26, 2015. To learn more, read their contest guidelines.

9. The Little Tokyo Historical Society (LTHS) is seeking short stories for its Imagine Little Tokyo short story contest. Stories must be set in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. Winners will receive $500 and publication in The Rafu Shimpo and the Discover Nikkei site. To learn more, read the contest guidelines.
10. The Florida Keys Flash Fiction Contest is now open for writers to submit a story of 500 words or less. The prize is unique: a three-week residency at the Studios of Key West. The winner will also be able to spend up to 10 days writing in Ernest Hemingway’s private study at the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. Airfare, accommodations, and meals are included. Deadline is March 31, 2016. To learn more, read the contest guidelines.