2026 NFSPS ANNUAL POETRY CONTESTS
Electronic Submission available for ALL contests. Please read contest rules before submitting.
These contests have a March 15 postmark deadline. Contests open January 1.
NFSPS is not responsible for entries lost or delayed by USPS.
Student contests are at the bottom of the page.
Download the brochure here.
65th ANNUAL CONVENTION ~ 2026
ANNUAL CONTESTS
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1. NFSPS Founders Award - to honor Mary B. Wall. Sponsor: NFSPS, Inc. |
18. Word Smiths Sponsor: Sue Chambers and Christina Flaugher. Subject: the art of poetry. Form: Any. Line Limit: 30. 1st Prize: $70. 2nd Prize: $50. 3rd Prize: $20. |
35. *Poetry Society of Tennessee Award * (members only). Sponsor: Poetry Society of Tennessee. In memory of J. Pompford “Pete” Harris and Chuck Belcher. Subject: Any Form: Pirouette. Line Limit: 10 (follow form). 1st Prize: $50. 2nd Prize: $30. 3rd Prize: $20 |
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2. Brecht Poetry Award Sponsor: Randy K. Schwartz. Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht Subject: A poem that expresses a yearning For society to advance beyond the oppression of humans by humans. Form: Any. Line Limit: 75. 1st Prize: $250. 2nd Prize: $150. 3rd Prize: $100. |
19. The Virginia Corrie-Cozart Memorial Award Sponsor: Her friends in the Peregrine Writers. Honoring the author of A Mutable Place and Wavering Reflection. Subject: Secret happiness Form: Any. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $60. 2nd Prize: $40. 3rd Prize: $20. |
36. *Miriam S. Strauss Memorial Award * (members only). Sponsor: Russell H. Strauss. Subject: Humorous Form: Petrarchan or Shakespearean Sonnet. Line Limit: 14 (follow form) 1st Prize: $50. 2nd Prize: $30. 3rd Prize: $20. |
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3. The Margo Award Sponsor: her friends, in memory of Margo LaGattuta. Subject: Wind Eyes. Form: Any. Line Limit: 50. 1st Prize: $200. 2nd Prize: $100. 3rd Prize: $50. |
20. *Mildred Vorpahl Baass Remembrance Award * (members-only) Sponsor: Nancy Baass, in loving memory of her wonderful mother, a truly beautiful lady, inside and out, who served two terms as Poet Laureate of Texas. Subject: Cats - their endearing habits, intelligence, loyalty, beauty, etc. (no reference to cruelty or abuse). Form: Any. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $60. 2nd Prize: $40. 3rd Prize: $20. |
37. Ohio Award Sponsor: Ohio Poetry Association. Subject: Any. Form: Any. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $50. 2nd Prize: $25. 3rd Prize: $15. |
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4. *Donald Stodghill Memorial Award * (members only) Sponsor: Pat Stodghill Subject: Any. Form: Any. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $200. 2nd Prize: $100. 3rd Prize: $50. |
21. League of Minnesota Poets Award Sponsor: the League of Minnesota Poets. In Memory of Doris Stengel. Subject: Humor. Form: Free Verse. Line Limit: 45. 1st Prize: $60. 2nd Prize: $40. 3rd Prize: $20. |
38. The Barbara Sykes Memorial Award Sponsor: Patricia Barnes Subject: Humorous. Form: Any. Line Limit: 40 1st Prize: $50. 2nd Prize: $30. 3rd Prize: $20. |
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5. NFSPS Board Award Sponsor: NFSPS Executive and Appointive Boards. Subject: Any Form: Terza Rima. Line Limit: 50. 1st Prize: $125. 2nd Prize: $80. 3rd Prize: $55 |
22. Jessica C. Saunders Memorial Award Sponsor: Shavano Poets Society of Colorado. Subject: Any. Form: Villanelle. Line Limit: (follow form) 1st Prize: $60. 2nd Prize: $40. 3rd Prize: $20. |
39. WyoPoets Award Sponsor: WyoPoets of Wyoming. Subject: Wyoming or the West. Form: Any. Line Limit: 40 1st Prize: $40. 2nd Prize: $25. 3rd Prize: $15. |
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6. Winners' Circle Award Sponsor: Sue Chambers, Pat Stodghill, Diane Glancy, previous prize winners of the NFSPS Founders Award Subject: Any. Form: Any. Line Limit: 80. 1st Prize: $125. 2nd Prize: $100. 3rd Prize: $75. |
23. Arizona State Poetry Society Award Sponsor: Arizona State Poetry Society (ASPS) Subject: The Desert. Form: Any. Line limit: 50. 1st Prize: $50. 2nd Prize: $30. 3rd Prize: $20. |
40. Florida State Poets Association, Inc. Award Sponsor: Florida State Poets Association, Inc. Subject: a Celebration of Florida History or Culture, or any other Florida topic, historic, or contemporary. Form: Any. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $35. 2nd Prize: $25. 3rd Prize: $15. |
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7. *Poetry Society of Texas Award * (members only) Sponsor: Poetry Society of Texas Subject: Any. Form: Any. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $125. 2nd Prize: $50. 3rd Prize: $25. |
24. *Nevada Poetry Society Award * (members only) Sponsor: Nevada Poetry Society. Subject: Nature. Form: Any Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $50. 2nd Prize: $30. 3rd Prize: $20. |
41. Mississippi Poetry Society Award Sponsor: Mississippi Poetry Society Subject: Any. Form: Sonnet (include sonnet type on entry). Line Limit: (follow form). 1st Prize: $35. 2nd Prize: $25. 3rd Prize: $15. |
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8. Jim Barton, Bard of the Pines Award Sponsor: South Arkansas Poets of the Pines. In Memory of Jim Barton, past President of NFSPS and cheerleader to all writers, who saw wonder and poetry everywhere in nature. Subject: Bottomlands Storyteller. Form: Rhymed. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $100. 2nd Prize: $60. 3rd Prize: $40. |
25. William Stafford Memorial Award Sponsor: Oregon Poetry Association and Friends of William Stafford. In memory of William Stafford, Oregon's late Poet Laureate and twice Honorary Chancellor of NFSPS. Subject: Any. Form: Any. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $50. 2nd Prize: $30. 3rd Prize: $20. |
42. Jesse Stuart Memorial Award Sponsor: Kentucky State Poetry Society. Subject: Any. Form: Any. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $25. 2nd Prize: $20. 3rd Prize: $15. |
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9. The Countee Cullen Poetry Prize Sponsors: M. Palowski Moore and Toby Palowski To provide a space for poetry that reflects the experiences & perspectives of the many facets of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community. Subject: 2SLGBTQIA+ Perspectives. Form: Any. Line Limit: 50. 1st Prize: $100. 2nd Prize: $60. 3rd Prize: $40. |
26. *Columbine Poets of Colorado Award * (members only). Sponsor: Columbine Poets of Colorado Subject: Migration. Form: Free Verse. Line Limit: 50. 1st Prize: $50. 2nd Prize: $30. 3rd Prize: $20. |
43. Barbara Stevens Memorial Award Sponsor: South Dakota State Poetry Society. Subject: Any Serious Theme. Form: Any. Line Limit: 12. 1st Prize: $25. 2nd Prize: $20. 3rd Prize: $15. |
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10. Lucille Morgan Wilson Memorial Award Sponsor: Julie Cummings and Carla Jordan Subject: Gardens. Form: Any. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $100. 2nd Prize: $60. 3rd Prize: $40. |
27. Morton D. Prouty & Elsie S. Prouty Memorial Award Sponsor: daughters, Catherine P. Horn and Carol P. Ostberg and their families. In memory of Morton D. Prouty, Jr. who served as NFSPS Treasurer and Poet Laureate of Alabama, and Elsie S. Prouty. Subject: a Nature poem. Form: Any. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $50. 2nd Prize: $30. 3rd Prize: $20. |
44. Missouri State Poetry Society Award Sponsored by the Missouri State Poetry Society. Subject: Wisdom from Mom. Form: Any. Line limit: 32. 1st Prize: $25. 2nd Prize: $20. 3rd Prize: $15. |
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11. *Jim Barton Memorial Award * (members only) Sponsor: Poets Roundtable of Arkansas Subject: Any. Form: Any. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $75. 2nd Prize: $50. 3rd Prize: $25. |
28. *Thanks for the Memories Award * (members-only). In honor of all our deceased Poetry Society of Texas Members Sponsor: Poetry Society of Texas. Subject: Any. Form: Any. Line Limit: 28. 1st Prize: $50. 2nd Prize: $30. 3rd Prize: $20. |
45. Save Our Earth Award Sponsor: Martha H. Balph. In memory of David F. Balph. Subject: Environmental Issues. Form: Any. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $25. 2nd Prize: $20. 3rd Prize: $15. |
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12. Alabama State Poetry Society Award Sponsor: Alabama State Poetry Society. Subject: Breaking the Rules. Form: Choose a form but break it—modify an existing form to make it your own. Note form and modifications on entry. Line Limit: 50. 1st Prize: $75. 2nd Prize: $50. 3rd Prize: $25. |
29. Utah State Poetry Society Award Sponsor: Utah State Poetry Society Subject: Any. Form: Any. Line Limit: 45. 1st Prize: $50. 2nd Prize: $30. 3rd Prize: $20. |
46. Massachusetts State Poetry Society Award Sponsor: Massachusetts State Poetry Society. Subject: Any. Form: Any. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $25. 2nd Prize: $20. 3rd Prize: $15. |
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13. Land of Enchantment Award Sponsor: New Mexico State Poetry Society. To honor the memory of Susan Paquet. Subject: A poem related to "borders," real or imagined. Form: Any. Line limit: 40. 1st Prize: $75. 2nd Prize: $50. 3rd Prize: $25. |
30. Illinois State Poetry Society Award Sponsor: Illinois State Poetry Society Subject: Rivers. Form: Any. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $50. 2nd Prize: $30. 3rd Prize: $20. |
47. Maine Poets Society Award Sponsor: Maine Poets Society, fostering poetry since 1936. Subject: On the street where you live Form: Any. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $25. 2nd Prize: $20. 3rd Prize: $15. |
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14. Mary Collar Memorial Award Sponsors: Paul Ford and Marie Andrews. Subject: Friendship. Form: Persona poem. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $100. 2nd Prize: $60. 3rd Prize: $40. |
31. Iowa Poetry Association Award Sponsor: Iowa Poetry Association. Subject: Poetry for Children. Form: Any. Line Limit: 50 1st Prize: $50. 2nd Prize: $30. 3rd Prize: $20. |
48. *The Poets Northwest Award * (members only) Sponsor: The Poets Northwest, a chapter of the Poetry Society of Texas, celebrating 40 years of encouraging and inspiring poets in their craft. Subject: Any. Form: Any. Line Limit: 42 1st Prize: $25. 2nd Prize: $20. 3rd Prize: $15. |
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15. The Listening Poem Award Sponsor: Linda Eve Diamond Subject: Listening. Form: Any. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $75. 2nd Prize: $50. 3rd Prize: $25. |
32. *Shoemaker Award * (members only) Sponsor: Pennsylvania Poetry Society, Inc. to honor our founders: Col. Henry W. Shoemaker and Blanche Shoemaker Wagstaff Subject: Freedom. Form: Any. Line Limit: 75 1st Prize: $50. 2nd Prize: $30. 3rd Prize: $20. |
49. The Hilde Award Subject: Any. Form: American Cinquain. Line Limit: 5 1st Prize: $25. 2nd Prize: $20. 3rd Prize: $15. |
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16. Mildred Cummings Memorial Award Sponsor: Friends of Mildred Cummings Subject: Family Meals. Form: Any. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $75. 2nd Prize: $50. 3rd Prize: $25. |
33. Poetry Society of Oklahoma Award Sponsor: Poetry Society of Oklahoma. Subject: Any. Form: Trimeric. Line Limit:13 (follow form). 1st Prize: $50. 2nd Prize: $30. 3rd Prize: $20. |
50. The Maurine Harris Coe Award Subject: Any. Form: Any. Line Limit: 40 1st Prize: $25. 2nd Prize: $20. 3rd Prize: $15. |
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17. Poetry Society of Indiana Award Sponsor: Poetry Society of Indiana Subject: Unexpected Change 1st Prize: $75. 2nd Prize: $50. 3rd Prize: $25. |
34. Poetry Society of Michigan Award Sponsor: Poetry Society of Michigan. Subject: Water! Fresh water bodies of water, lakes, streams, etc. Form: Free Verse. Line Limit: 40. 1st Prize: $50. 2nd Prize: $30. 3rd Prize: $20. |
No entry fee is required for these student contests. Open only to students in grades 3 thru 12. Include your grade with name and home mailing address on the second copy only (per contest rule 1), or enter via Submittable. One poem per student. Mail entries to 2025 Contest Chair.
Student Award: Grades 9 –12
Sponsor: Julie Cummings (CO), Catherine L'Herisson (TX).
Subject: Any. Form: Any. Line Limit: 32.
1st Prize: $50. 2nd Prize: $30. 3rd Prize: $20.
7 Honorable Mentions: $5 each.
Poetry in the Classroom Award: Grades 6 –8
Sponsor: New Mexico State Poetry Society.
Subject: Any. Form: Any. Line Limit: 32.
1st Prize: $25. 2nd Prize: $15. 3rd Prize: $10.
Poetry in the Classroom Award: Grades 3 –5
Sponsor: New Mexico State Poetry Society.
Subject: Any. Form: Any. Line Limit: 32.
1st Prize: $25. 2nd Prize: $15. 3rd Prize: $10.