Teen Writing Contests & Grants | YoungArts Programs

Competition Eligibility

To be eligible, you must be able to answer ”Yes“ to these statements:

I am either a citizen of the United States, a permanent resident/green card recipient, or I can demonstrate that I am legally able to receive taxable income in the United States.
I am in grades 10–12 or 15–18 years of age on December 1 of the year I am applying.
If I’m selected as an award winner with distinction, this would be my first time attending National YoungArts Week.

Application Requirements

These requirements are for a past application cycle and are for reference only. Requirements will be updated for the 2027 cycle, which opens in Summer 2026.

Writing – Fiction

Writing – Nonfiction

Writing – Play or Script

Writing – Poetry

Writing – Spoken Word

The 2027 YoungArts application opens in Summer 2026.

Resources

Tips and Testimonials from Winners and Guest Artists

Select Readings from Winners

View select works from winners here.

See our FAQ for answers to common questions about the competition and application.

For the first time, I felt confident and so centered in my art—for the first time, I had the opportunity to talk to talented and powerful artists my age and learn from them.”

— Sarah Mohammed (2021 Writing)