Deadline:
April 30, 2026
Location(s)
Online United Kingdom
Overview
The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026 is now open for submissions. The theme for this year’s competition is Common Ground: Better Together!
The Commonwealth is one of the world’s most diverse global communities, spanning continents, cultures, climates, and generations. From small island states to vast nations, its members differ in language, geography and lived experience. Yet across this diversity lies powerful common ground: shared values, shared challenges, and shared hopes for the Future.
Details
Journeys are a fundamental aspect of our lives, helping us to explore, to learn, and to grow. Throughout history, nations, communities, and individuals have undertaken their own journeys, navigating the tides of an ever-changing world.
Since its founding in 1949, the Commonwealth has undertaken many journeys to evolve into its current form, with 56 member countries, and recently celebrating its 75th anniversary.
There are also many great journeys to be had within the Commonwealth, which spans five continents, is responsible for a third of the world’s oceans and has a hugely diverse population of 2.7 billion people.
The theme for the 2026 Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition, Common Ground: Better Together, invites young writers to explore what unites individuals and communities across the Commonwealth, and how collaboration and connection enable progress.
Enter the competition by 30th April!
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
The competition is open to nationals or residents of all Commonwealth countries and territories, as well as residents of Hong Kong, Ireland, and Zimbabwe. Residents of non-Commonwealth countries where there is an operating RCS branch or affiliated/partner organisation are also eligible; however, entries must be submitted via the local RCS branch or affiliated/partner organisation.
Enter The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026 – Common Ground: Better Together
The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026 is now open for submissions. The theme for this year’s competition is Common Ground: Better Together!
The Commonwealth is one of the world’s most diverse global communities, spanning continents, cultures, climates, and generations. From small island states to vast nations, its members differ in language, geography and lived experience. Yet across this diversity lies powerful common ground: shared values, shared challenges, and shared hopes for the Future.
The theme for the 2026 Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition, Common Ground: Better Together, invites young writers to explore what unites individuals and communities across the Commonwealth, and how collaboration and connection enable progress.
Enter the competition by 30th April!
Eligibility Criteria
To enter The Queen's Commonwealth Writing Competition you must:
- be 18 or under on the 30th of April 2026
- be a Commonwealth national or resident
- submit a written piece under 1,000 words on ONE of the QCWC 2026 Questions to the official QCWC 2026 Entry Form
Dates
Deadline: April 30, 2026
Cost/funding for participants
Are there prizes for the winners?
One Winner and Runner Up will be chosen from each category. Winners and Runners Up (accompanied by one adult/guardian) will be brought to London for a week of educational and cultural events, culminating in a special Awards Ceremony. A number of Gold Finalist, Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards will be given in both the Senior and Junior categories, rewarding excellence in writing. All successful entries will receive a Certificate of Participation. Local RCS branches often hold local and regional ceremonies or offer prizes so if you were made aware of the competition by your local RCS branch, please contact them after the competition closes on 15 May to inquire about any activities they might have planned.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
