Free Poetry Contests for Students and Young Adults 2022–2023

Open contests with $0 entry fee to recognize young international poets and support scholarship, disabilities, faith

Photo by Joel Mott on Unsplash

It’s been months since I last shared a listicle of free writing contests, so I thought it would be a good time to circulate a new collection.

Here are twelve free poetry contests arranged according to the deadline. Good luck!

1. Waltham Forest Poetry Competition 2022

Open to UK and international poets with categories for adults and below 18 on the theme of Community. There is a special prize for the funniest poem.

Prize: £50 (First Place Youth), £30 (Second Place Youth), £20 (Third Place Youth), £100 (Funniest Poem)
Deadline: October 10, 2022
Genre: Poetry
Submission Fee: Free for under 18-year-olds
Website: https://pctothepowerof2.wordpress.com/enter/

2. Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest

Sponsored by Hollins University, this annual competition is for young women sophomores or juniors in high school or preparatory school.