Penguin Random House Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Penguin Random House
Overview
Penguin Random House is offering a scholarship initiative for high school seniors who demonstrate exceptional creative writing talent and intend to pursue higher education.
Eligibility
To be considered for the Penguin Random House Creative Writing Awards Program, administered in partnership with We Need Diverse Books, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be a current senior at a public high school in the United States, graduating in Spring 2026.
- Be age 21 or younger.
- Plan to enroll in an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or an approved vocational/technical school in Fall 2026.
- Submit a single, original literary work in English in one of these categories: poetry, spoken word, fiction, personal essay/memoir, or the Freedom of Expression (book bans) prompt.
Submission requirements
- Entries must be typed, double-spaced, use at least 12-point font, and be no longer than 10 pages.
- If an entry spans multiple pages, each page must be numbered and show the total page count (for example, 1/3, 2/3, 3/3).
- Fiction submissions are recommended to be a minimum of four pages.
- Spoken word entries require both a typed manuscript and a separate audio file sent via email.
- Only one entry per student will be accepted and reviewed.
- Submissions responding to the Freedom of Expression prompt must address the assigned topic (see prompt below).
Context and Freedom of Expression prompt
Book bans and restrictions are increasing across the United States, with many challenges disproportionately affecting books by and about LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. Penguin Random House and We Need Diverse Books affirm that literature can transform lives and that everyone should have the opportunity to see themselves reflected in books.
Prompt: In light of recent book bans and attacks on free expression, write about one banned book that had a meaningful impact on you and explain why.
Awards and recognition
Scholarships will be awarded as follows (each prize equals $10,000):
- Maya Angelou Award — Spoken Word
- Amanda Gorman Award — Poetry
- James Baldwin Award — Fiction
- Michelle Obama Award — Memoir
- Chinua Achebe Award — Freedom of Expression
Additional recognitions:
- Up to 100 Honorable Mention recipients will receive a Creativity Kit from Penguin Random House.
- In recognition of the program’s historical ties to New York City and ongoing work with local schools, an extra first-place $10,000 prize will be granted to the top entrant from the NYC area.
Professional development and publicity
Each summer, Penguin Random House hosts a virtual development week for the Creative Writing Awards winners. This program includes one-on-one virtual meetings with PRH editors, networking workshops, a panel discussing career paths in publishing, and fireside chats with PRH authors. Penguin Random House and We Need Diverse Books will promote winners through social media and local media outreach. Winners are encouraged to take part in the development week and participate in related publicity efforts.