Eavan Boland Emerging Poet Award 2023

Eavan Boland Emerging Poet Award 2023 Open for Applications
Poetry Ireland in association with Trinity College Dublin and Stanford University, USA are delighted to announce the second Eavan Boland Emerging Poet Award. Submissions open today, Tuesday, 13th December. The 2023 judges are Professor of English (Emerita) at Trinity College and Saoi of Aosdána, Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin and Stanford’s Mohr Visiting Poet for spring 2023, American poet, Diane Seuss.
The Eavan Boland Emerging Poet Award is an award for two emerging poets, one from Ireland and one from the United States, and is presented with the support of the Boland/Casey family. The Award has been made possible with the generous support of Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs,the Embassy of the United States in Ireland and The Arts Council.
Liz Kelly, Director of Poetry Ireland said, “It is fantastic to see the Eavan Boland Emerging Poet Award in its second year. In her editorial for Poetry Ireland Review 125, Eavan memorably wrote, "the margin re-defines the centre, and not the other way around. But that margin has to be visible, has to be vocal, has to be sustained by new critiques as well as new poems." This award testifies to Eavan Boland’s advocacy of emerging poets, bringing new voices to the fore at every opportunity. Poetry Ireland are proud to offer this award again, in an enhanced form, offering residencies on campus in both the US and Ireland supported by Stanford and TCD respectively. Its announcement coincides with the release of the special Eavan Boland Issue of Poetry Ireland Review, edited by Nessa O Mahony, a fitting tribute to one of the most significant poets of our time.”
The inaugural offering of the Eavan Boland Emerging Poet Award received over 300 applications from Ireland and the United States. This year’s Award is, once again, open to emerging poets in Ireland and the U.S. who have not yet published a first full collection but are working towards that or similar. Two poets will be chosen for a residency to the value of €3000 at Trinity College Dublin and Stanford University in California. as well as a bursary of €2000 each to support their work over the course of the year. Three mentoring sessions from leading poets are offered over the course of four months. The Award will then culminate in a transatlantic event in late 2023 with awardees, mentors and guests.
The Eavan Boland Special Issue of Poetry Ireland Review is available for purchase now here and selected book stores.
Information:
The Award
Last year, in total, 300 submissions were received, 200 in Ireland and 100 in the USA. Judged by Jane Hirshfield and Paula Meehan in the US and Ireland, the inaugural awards in 2022 were made to Lauren Greene (USA) and Emma Tobin (Ireland)
Dates - Applications open on 13th December 2022 and will close on 17th January 2023 at 12.00 noon (IST) and 4.00am (ETD) Announcement of the awardees will be the week of 21st February 2023.
Criteria
Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to writing poetry. This may include:
- A strong track record of publication in journals and/or received awards.
- Details of live performances or readings.
- Examples of workshops or courses taken.
This opportunity is for emerging poets who have not yet published a full first collection, but are working towards it, or a performance equivalent (being published in chapbooks/pamphlets does not exclude an applicant).
Submissions – Applications will be accepted via Submittable.
Artists will be asked to complete an online form supplying a short biography, a 500-word cover letter on their work, their suitability for the award, and the unique perspective they are writing from, and five pages of poetry. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented voices and communities.
Awardees
Announcement of the awardees will be made on 21st February 2023.
Who can Apply?
Irish poets or poets living in Ireland and US poets or poets living in the U.S.
Further information and the link to apply can be found HERE