The School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science and Griffith Review are pleased to present the 2026 Griffith University Writing Prize
Got a good story? We want to read it. Writing helps us to understand ourselves and what we care about, to connect with others and to be heard, and imagine new possibilities for the world around us. Writing in all its forms — from short stories to literary journalism to memoir — shapes culture and inspires change. Griffith's creative writing courses invite you to sharpen your writing skills, learn to use your voice, and open your world. HLSS, in partnership with Griffith Review, one of Australia’s leading literary journals, is proud to welcome entries to the Griffith University Writing Prize for 2026.
About the prize
Submissions open on 17 August 2026 and close 11:59pm AEST 16 October 2026. Entries submitted after this time will not be accepted.
Theme: Cost of living.
We encourage submissions that approach the theme from creative, innovative or unexpected positions, and welcome any and all interpretations of this theme.
Prize parameters:
- The competition is open to all current Griffith University undergraduate students.
- Only one entry permitted per student.
- Length: A prose work of up to 3,000 words (short fiction and creative non-fiction, including personal essays, literary journalism, and memoir).
- The work can be on any subject and of any genre, as long as it is within Griffith University’s Student Conduct, Safety and Wellbeing Policy.
- Please format your work 12 pt Times New Roman, 1.5 or double-spaced.
- Criteria: The prize is judged based on literary merit as the sole criterion.
- The judges’ decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into and unfortunately feedback cannot be provided. The judges reserve the right to not award the prize.
- AI policy: The use of AI is prohibited for all entries in the Griffith University Writing Prize. No AI tools or platforms can be used in the development of the work submitted for the prize. Works in which AI has been used will be considered ineligible. All stories will be reviewed via standard university plagiarism software, Turnitin. All entrants will be required to acknowledge in writing that they are submitting their own original work. No AI tools are used in the judging process.
The winning entrant will receive:
- $1000.00 AUD in prize money.
- An editorial conversation with members of the Griffith Review team.
- The opportunity to read from their work at the Griffith University Writing Gala in November 2026.
Two runners-up entrants will receive:
- $250.00 AUD each in prize money.
- The opportunity to read from their work at the Griffith University Writing Gala in November 2026.
Up to five shortlistees will receive:
- A book voucher each.
- The opportunity to read from their work at the Griffith University Writing Gala in November 2026.
The Griffith University Writing Prize is presented in partnership between the School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science at Griffith University and Griffith Review.
If you have further enquiries, please contact Dr Alex Philp and Dr Ella Jeffery.