The Edwin Morgan Poetry Award (EMPA) is a biennial prize of £20,000, awarded to poets under 30 who were born, raised, or currently live in Scotland and have not yet published a full-length collection. The prize may be shared between up to four poets.

The EMPA was conceived by Edwin Morgan, reflecting his lifelong commitment to supporting Scottish poets. He left a bequest to the Edwin Morgan Trust to continue this mission, with the specific purpose of establishing an award for young, emerging poets. Inaugurated in 2014, the EMPA rewards outstanding promise by providing financial support to help poets develop their first collection of poems. While we recognise that age limits can be a barrier for those who have not had the opportunity to cultivate a writing practice in their teens and twenties, this condition is stipulated in Morgan’s will and is honoured by the Trust when making awards. We encourage poets 30 and over to consider our other opportunities.

The EMPA rewards outstanding promise by supporting the development of a collection of poems through financial support. The longlist is made up of 10 poets nominated by the judging panel and 10 poets selected from an open call. 

Through this award, the Edwin Morgan Trust aims to support a diverse range of emerging Scottish voices – including poets from communities that have historically been under-represented on our shortlists – and continue Morgan’s legacy of fostering and celebrating new poetry in Scotland.

Applications to the 2026 Edwin Morgan Poetry Award will open at the end of January and close at the end of March. Eligibility and submission guidelines will be published in January. Information about previous winners and shortlisted poets can be found here.