The Hearth Fellowship Prize
Where thought becomes form
An international competition recognizing exceptional young creators in literature, poetry, visual arts, music, and philosophy. Open to secondary and pre-university students worldwide.
Five Categories
Every 2026 prompt draws on the work of Virginia Woolf. Choose a discipline to see its prompt and submission requirements.
A Platform for Early Excellence
Not a contest of popularity or polish. A signal that thoughtful work matters, and that those who make it deserve recognition while they are still becoming.
Recognition by Expert Judges
A panel of distinguished judges across disciplines reviews every entry, with a focus on vision, clarity, and interdisciplinary potential.
Depth Over Spectacle
Fellows are chosen for originality, depth of thought, and creative rigor: work that is intellectually grounded, artistically mature, and socially relevant.
A Growing Community
Fellows join voices across disciplines and continents who share the courage to think originally, speak honestly, and create with depth.
Why “Hearth”?
A hearth is a place of gathering, reflection, and human tradition, where stories are shared and ideas are born. True creative work begins not in performance but in presence. Just as a hearth quietly sustains life, young creators who are trusted and recognized hold the power to reshape the world.
How to Apply
All entries are submitted by email. Follow each step so your work is eligible for review.
Key Dates
All times are Eastern Time (ET)
“In founding this fellowship, we hope to create a space that values the depth of reflection over the noise of performance.”
Each Fellow was selected through a multi-stage international review and exemplifies the program’s values: clarity of purpose, innovation with integrity, and sincere engagement with the world.
To respect participants’ privacy, submitted works are not shared publicly. We honor each Fellow by name instead.
Fellow lists for 2020–2025 will be posted here.
FAQ
Answers to common questions about the prize and submissions.