Call for Nominations: Young Romantics Essay Prize

The Young Romantics Poetry and Essay Prize is run by The Keats-Shelley Memorial Association and supports school-aged poets and essayists responding to the work of the Romantic writers. The Young Romantics Essay Prize offers cash awards for winning and highly commended essays, with publication in The Keats-Shelley Review and on the Keats-Shelley website. The essay deadline is 10am (GMT) on Monday 1 February 2027. Opportunity at a Glance

- Opportunity name: Young Romantics Essay Prize

- Provider: The Keats-Shelley (The Keats-Shelley Memorial Association)

- Type: School-aged essay prize (poetry and essay prize programme)

- Who can apply: School-aged pupils aged 15–18 (UK School Years 11–13), with age eligibility based on 31 August 2026

- Entry fee: Free

- Prize amounts (Essay Prize):

- Winner: £700

- Two highly commended entrants (per category): £300 each - Publication: Winning and highly commended essays and poems will be published on the Keats-Shelley website; winning and highly commended poems will also be published in The Keats-Shelley Review - Where entries can be submitted from: Any part of the world (must be in English)

- Deadline: 10am (GMT) on Monday 1 February 2027

- Submission method: Online via the website

- Essay length: 750–1000 words, including quotations

About the Opportunity

The Young Romantics Poetry and Essay Prize began in 2015 to encourage school-aged poets and essayists to respond to the work of the Romantic writers. The prize includes both poetry and essay categories, with judges drawn from the literary world. For the 2026–27 judging panel, the chair will be announced shortly. Returning judges for the Essay Prize include Professor Simon Bainbridge and Professor Sharon Ruston. Funding and Benefits This is a cash prize competition for school-aged essayists, with additional recognition through publication.

- Winner (Essay Prize): £700

- Highly commended (Essay Prize): Two entrants receive £300 each

- Publication outcomes:

- Winning and highly commended essays will be published on the Keats-Shelley website - The source also states that winning and highly commended poems will be published in The Keats-Shelley Review (poems are not the focus of this essay prize article, but this is part of the overall prize programme) Entry is free. Who Is Eligible? The Young Romantics Essay Prize is open to: - School-aged pupils aged 15–18

- In UK terms: School Years 11–13

- Age rule: Applicants must be no older than 18 or younger than 15 on 31 August 2026

- International participation: Entries may be submitted from any part of the world, but must meet language and format requirements

Additional eligibility and entry conditions include: - Essays must be original and not previously published (in print, online, or any other media) - Essays must not have been previously submitted to the prize - Essays must be in English and submitted in Microsoft Word or PDF format - Entries must be submitted anonymously (applicants should not put their name on the entry) Eligible Activities or Priority Areas Essayists choose one of two Romantic-themed questions and must write an essay that responds to the prompt. Question 1 (Keats/Shelley/Byron oceans prompt)

- Prompt theme: Poetic possibilities in oceans

- Requirement: Discuss with reference to at least TWO poems by Keats, Shelley and/or Byron

- Source text included in the prompt: Keats, “On the Sea” Question 2 (Byron/nature and human power prompt)

- Prompt theme: Limits of human power over the natural world and implications for today’s relationship with nature

- Requirement: Discuss with reference to at least TWO poems by Keats, Shelley and/or Byron

- Source text included in the prompt: Byron, from Childe Harold IV Why This Opportunity Matters This prize is designed for school-aged writers who want to engage critically with Romantic literature. The prompts focus on themes such as oceans, nature, and the relationship between human power and the natural world—encouraging structured argument and evidence-based analysis using Romantic texts. The competition also offers public recognition through publication on the Keats-Shelley website for winning and highly commended essays. How to Apply - Choose one essay question (Question 1 or Question 2) and plan an essay that meets the word count and referencing requirements.

- Write an original essay that:

- Is no shorter than 750 words and no longer than 1000 words, including quotations - Is not plagiarised and does not use AI-generated work (plagiarism will not be accepted, including AI-generated work) - Has not been published previously and has not been previously submitted to the prize - Acknowledges all sources

- Prepare your submission:

- Submit in English - Use Microsoft Word or PDF format - Do not put your name on the entry (anonymous submission) - Submit online via the prize website entry page (the source states that all entries must be submitted via the website).

- Submit by the deadline: 10am (GMT) on Monday 1 February 2027.

Official application entry page: “Enter this prize” (link not specified in the source text). If you cannot locate the entry link from the page, use the official prize page and follow the “Enter this prize” call to action.

Questions contact: [contact details removed] (also referenced for questions about the 2026–27 prize).

Application Tips or Common Mistakes

- Stay within the word limit: Essays must be 750–1000 words including quotations.

- Avoid unoriginal or reused work: The prize requires essays that are original, not previously published, and not previously submitted.

- Do not include your name on the entry: The source specifies anonymous submission—your name should not appear on the essay. - Use evidence and structure: The essay judge (Professor Sharon Ruston) indicates they want a well-organised, lively, and well-expressed essay that argues a point and uses persuasive evidence. - Do not rely on AI-generated text: The rules state that plagiarism will not be accepted, including AI-gener