Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Prize for Canadian Poets 2025

The Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Prize for Canadian Youth was established to foster a lifelong relationship between Canadian youth and the literary arts, specifically poetry. The prize is supported through a generous donation from the Stursberg family and other donors in honor of Jessamy Stursberg.

Eligibility Criteria for Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Prize for Canadian Poets

1. Students must be in one of the two categories: grades 7-9 (junior), or grades 10-12 (senior)
2. Students may submit only one (1) poem
3. Poems must be a maximum of one (1) page long
4. Students must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents
5. Homeschooled students are welcome to submit - please select the grade most appropriate for your age or year of study
6. Parents, guardians, and teachers are permitted to submit poems on behalf of students as long as the student has provided their consent

Benefits of Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Prize for Canadian Poets

1. The prize accepts submissions from young poets all across Canada, with three cash prizes ($450, 400, and $350) awarded in both the Junior (grades 7 to 9) and Senior (grades 10 to 12) categories.

How to Apply

1. Click on the link to the application website to submit to the Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Prize.

View details of Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Prize

Apply for Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Prize

Application Link(s)

• Apply for Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Prize for Canadian Poets