2026 Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowships
Academy of American Poets
Who can apply
In addition to the other eligibility and application criteria, the concept, scope, components, depth, geographic reach, and community support of the proposed project will be considered by a panel of award-winning poets and leaders in poetry and civic engagement. The panelists who will recommend the recipients of the 2026 Poet Laureate Fellowships are award-winning author and 2024 Michigan Poet Laureate Fellow, Nandi Comer; Civic Poet of Seattle (2023–24) and visual artist Shin Yu Pai; 2024 Wallace Stevens Award winner and Chancellor Emerita Naomi Shihab Nye; Senior Program Officer at the Institute of Museum and Library Services Dennis Nangle; and, 2021–22 Los Angeles Poet Laureate and Cave Canem Board Chair Lynne Thompson. Final award decisions are finalized and approved by members of the Academy’s Board of Directors.. Review the eligibility requirements here: https://poets.org/academy-american-poets/laureate-fellowships-guidelines. Only one type of support, either in-kind or cash, will be matched up to $10,000.. The Academy of American Poets assumes no responsibility for applications not received due to user error. Applicants may verify the receipt of their application materials by logging into Submittable.
About this opportunity
The Academy of American Poets has a long history of championing the role of poet laureate, particularly by being a resource that lists local poets laureate and by providing information to communities interested in creating new poets laureate positions. In 2019, we expanded on this work, and our prizes and fellowships for poets, by launching the Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowships. These $50,000 awards are given to honor poets of literary merit who are appointed to serve in civic positions and to support them in creating new work, as well as to enable them to undertake meaningful, impactful, and innovative projects that enrich the lives of their neighbors, including youth, through responsive and interactive poetry activities. In addition to the other eligibility and application c...