Cairo International Book Fair Award Opens Applications For 2026

Applications are open for the Cairo International Book Fair Award in its 57th session for 2026, with submissions accepted from October 26th to November 30th, 2025. Each prize is valued at EGP 50,000, and awards will be presented across 16 branches. The Egyptian General Book Organisation will accept submissions daily except Friday and Saturday. The award comprises eight core fields: literary criticism, novel, short story, classical Arabic poetry, colloquial Arabic poetry, children’s book, scientific book focused on artificial intelligence, and humanities focused on heritage and identity, in line with the recommendations of the fair’s higher advisory committee. Two additional categories are designated for authors under 35 years old: novel and future sciences. Six partner awards will also be granted in collaboration with cultural institutions: Best Book in Heritage Editing with the National Library and Archives, Best Translated Book with the National Centre for Translation, Best Translated Children’s Book with the National Centre for Translation, Best Book in Arts with the Academy of Arts, Best Egyptian Publisher with the Egyptian Publishers Association, and Best Arab Publisher with the Arab Publishers Association. General rules require that submissions be first editions published in 2025, supported by a legal deposit number, and authored by Egyptian nationals. Books must not be translations, except in the translation-specific branches. Authors or publishers must submit three copies of the nominated title. Works that have received any other award are ineligible, and previous winners of the fair’s award within the past three years may not apply. For the youth branch, applicants should submit an unpublished book, typed and signed by the author.