The 2026 BBC National Short Story Awards with Cambridge University (NSSA) and BBC Young Writers’ Award with Cambridge University (YWA) have opened for submissions. Deadlines from 16 March 2026.
The NSSA is one of the most prestigious awards for a single short story, with the winning author receiving £15,000, and four further shortlisted authors £600 each. The stories are broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and available to listen to on BBC Sounds and additionally published in an anthology by Comma Press.
Open to British nationals and UK residents, including residents of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, aged 18 years or over on the submission deadline (9am (GMT) Monday 16th March 2026) only, who have a prior record of publication in creative writing in the UK.
The writers shortlisted for the YWA have their stories narrated by an actor and recorded for BBC Sounds and published in an anthology. Open to UK residents, including residents of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, aged 14 to 18 years old.
For more information, including how to enter, please visit www.bbc.co.uk/nssa for the National Short Story Award and www.bbc.co.uk/ywa for the Young Writers' Award.
Deadlines for entries:
BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University:9am (GMT) Monday 16 March 2026.
BBC Young Writers’ Award with Cambridge University: 9am (GMT) Monday 23 March 2026.