Eligibility

You are eligible to enter the 2026 Edwin Morgan Poetry Award (EMPA) if you:

• are under 30 at the closing date for submissions (i.e. 30 March 2026)
• were born in Scotland, raised in Scotland, or currently live in Scotland
• have not published a full-length collection or had one accepted for publication at the time of your submission

Submitting your Entry

Submissions are accepted via an online portal. You will be asked for your name, address, and phone number for administrative purposes; this information will be removed for anonymised judging. An optional anonymous diversity monitoring form is also included; this information will not be used in the judging process.

Submissions should include up to 10 unpublished poems, totalling no more than 12 pages or 12 minutes, and can be submitted in one of the following formats:

• Text submissions should be uploaded as a single PDF, without your name or identifying details.
• Sound files and video files should be uploaded to SoundCloud or Vimeo, with a title but without your name. You will be asked to provide a link to the file in your submission.

Form and style
Edwin Morgan experimented with many forms throughout his career – from sonnets to one-word poems, collage poems, and concrete poems. The EMPA places no restrictions on form or appearance.

Language
Submissions can be in English, Scots, or Gaelic. The Trust will ensure your work is assessed in its original language. As a courtesy to all of the judges, a glossary or English translation is recommended.