What Is the Cosmopolitan Writing Award?
A global, AI-evaluated writing competition open to students from Grade 1 through university.
The Cosmopolitan Writing Award (CWA) is an international writing competition that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to evaluate student writing with consistency, fairness, and transparency. Founded on the belief that every young writer deserves an impartial stage, CWA accepts submissions in three categories — Essay, Short Fiction, and Poetry — and is open to students ranging from first grade all the way through university.
Why CWA Exists
Traditional writing competitions often suffer from subjective bias. A judge's personal taste, mood, or familiarity with a contestant can influence outcomes. CWA was created to remove that variable entirely. Our AI evaluation panel assesses every submission against the same rigorous criteria — structure, originality, voice, language mastery, and thematic depth — ensuring that the writing itself is what matters.
Who Can Participate?
CWA is one of the most broadly accessible writing competitions available. Whether you're a first-grader crafting your first poem or a university student refining a literary essay, you're welcome. There are no geographic restrictions, no minimum GPA, and no prerequisite publications. The only requirement is a passion for writing.
What Does It Cost?
The entry fee is just $10 per submission. We keep it low deliberately — great writing shouldn't be gated by finances. Learn more on our fees and pricing page.
Key Dates for 2026
- Submission Deadline: November 15, 2026
- Results Announced: December 31, 2026
See our full deadline and timeline for planning details.
Award Levels
Winners receive Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Honorable Mention recognition — meaningful distinctions that carry weight on college applications and academic portfolios.
How CWA Compares
Curious how CWA stacks up? Our comparison guide shows how CWA's AI-judged model, low entry fee, and wide eligibility set it apart from other writing contests for students.
Ready to submit? Visit our submission guide to get started, or explore writing tips to polish your entry.