The search is on for the next generation of Filipino storytellers as the 2026 F. Sionil Jose Young Writers Award officially opens submissions for outstanding short stories in English and Filipino.

The Jose family, PEN Philippines and the Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center of De La Salle University announced the return of the annual award, established by the children of National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose and Teresita Jovellanos Jose to honor the acclaimed writer’s legacy and encourage young and beginning Filipino authors. The award also pays tribute to Teresita, described as Jose’s “pillar of support and inspiration.”

The award recognizes literary works that embody excellence, integrity, social justice and love of country, values long championed by the late novelist throughout his career.

The competition is open to Filipino citizens residing in the Philippines who are 30 years old or younger. Entries will be accepted in both English and Filipino categories, with participants allowed to submit one short story that may either be unpublished or previously published. Published entries, however, must have appeared no earlier than January 2026.

Stories should not exceed 20 double-spaced pages using a 12-point typeface and must include a separate cover page containing the author’s personal information, a brief biography of up to 200 words and publication details if the work has already been published.

Submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. (Manila time) on 15 August via email to fsjawards2026@gmail.com, with the cover page and manuscript submitted as separate PDF files.

Winners in each language category will receive P25,000 for first prize, P15,000 for second prize and P10,000 for third prize.

The awarding ceremony is scheduled on 10 October during the PEN Philippines Congress at De La Salle University.

To safeguard the integrity of the competition, organizers said they reserve the right to request drafts, revision histories, research notes or other evidence of authorship. Entries that fail to provide satisfactory proof of predominantly human authorship, including those suspected of undisclosed generative AI use, may be disqualified.