Organizer Information

The Alpine Fellowship is a London-based charitable foundation that supports, commissions, and showcases artists, writers, and scholars. Founded on the principle of interdisciplinary exchange, the foundation aims to foster a community of thinkers who engage with the humanities to address contemporary challenges. Their centerpiece is an annual international symposium that gathers creative professionals from around the world to explore a single philosophical theme through the lenses of art, literature, and philosophy.

Title & Description

The Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize 2026: "Joy" The Writing Prize is awarded annually for the best piece of prose responding to the foundation's annual theme. For the 2026 cycle, the theme is "Joy." This call seeks original, standalone pieces of fiction or non-fiction that offer a profound, original, and innovative exploration of joy. The organizers look for writing that transcends simple sentimentality to offer deep insight into the human condition, investigating joy as an emotion, a state of being, or a philosophical concept.

Categories

The primary category is Literature and Writing. Submissions must be works of prose, including:

  • Fiction: Short stories or self-contained narratives.

  • Non-fiction: Personal essays, memoirs, or philosophical reflections.

  • Note: Academic essays and extracts from larger works (like novel chapters) are generally discouraged; the piece must be a standalone work.

Eligibility

This is an international open call designed for global participation:

  • International: Open to writers of all nationalities and backgrounds.

  • Age: Applicants must be aged 18 or above at the time of entry.

  • Language: All entries must be written in English.

  • Originality: Works must be original and previously unpublished.

  • AI Policy: Writing generated or modified by AI or generative software is strictly ineligible and will result in disqualification.

Program Benefits & Awards

  • First Place: A cash grant of £3,000.

  • Second Place: A cash grant of £1,000.

  • Third Place: A cash grant of £1,000.

  • Symposium Invitation: Winners and select runners-up are typically invited to the Annual Alpine Fellowship Symposium. The fellowship provides food and accommodation during the event, offering winners a chance to engage with a global audience of intellectuals and creators.

Application Fee

There is a £10 entry fee per submission.

Application Requirements

The judging process is conducted anonymously. Applicants must submit:

  • The Text: A single piece of prose.

  • Length: Maximum of 1,250 words (excluding the title).

  • Themed Statement: A short explanation of how the work responds to the theme of "Joy."

  • Anonymity: Your name or identifying details must not appear anywhere on the uploaded document containing the writing.

How to Apply?

Online Application

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: 1 May 2026

  • Notification of Selection: Winners are typically notified via email by June 2026.

  • Annual Symposium: Usually held in late summer/early autumn (The 2026 Symposium is scheduled for July in Tuscany, Italy).

Location

United Kingdom

Additional Details

The Alpine Fellowship values the quality of the response to the theme above all else. Writers are encouraged to interpret "Joy" in its broadest philosophical sense. Whether the work is experimental or traditional, the judges are looking for a unique "voice" that contributes to the year's thematic discourse. Multiple entries are permitted if separate fees are paid for each.

Website Link: https://alpinefellowship.com/writing-prize