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International Science Fiction Short Story Writing Competition in the UAE 2026
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Publish Date 10/1/2026 Application Deadline 12/11/2026 Opportunity Type Competitions Publisher Foras Khadra Available Countries United Arab Emirates Description

The MBRSC Short Story Award: New Voices in Sci-Fi is a creative writing competition for writers residing in the United Arab Emirates. It is organized by the Emirates Literature Foundation in partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre. The competition invites participants to write an original short story in the science fiction genre. Stories may explore topics such as space exploration, time travel, artificial intelligence, future worlds, and scientific and technological developments. Winners receive specialized guidance through creative writing workshops, and outstanding stories may have the opportunity to be professionally published.
Details
  • Organizers: Emirates Literature Foundation, in partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre.
  • Participation Type: Short story writing competition in the science fiction genre.
  • Location: United Arab Emirates, with online submission available.
  • Age Categories:
  • 16–21 years.
  • 22–30 years.
  • 31 years and above.
  • Story Length: 1,500 to 2,500 words.
  • Submission Language: Arabic or English.
  • File Format: The story must be submitted as a Word document (.docx).
  • Formatting: Arial, Courier, or Times New Roman font, size 12, with 1.5 line spacing.
  • Anonymity: The participant’s name must not appear anywhere in the story to ensure anonymous judging.
  • Number of Entries: One story per applicant only.
  • Story Theme: Science fiction, which may explore space exploration, time travel, artificial intelligence, future societies, scientific innovations, and other related themes.
  • Judging Criteria: Originality and creativity, scientific basis, strength of storytelling, and quality of writing style.
  • Registration Opens: August 3, 2026.
  • Writing Workshops: September 19, 2026 and November 21, 2026.
  • Submission Deadline: December 11, 2026.
  • Winner Announcement: During the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2027.
  • Winners’ Workshops: Spring or summer 2027; exact dates have not yet been announced.
  • Fees: No participation fee is mentioned in the published terms.
  • Application Method: Submit the story through the official submission form before the deadline.
  • Artificial Intelligence: The story must be entirely written by the participant. Participants must confirm that they have not used any AI tools to write the story. Stories found to have been written using AI will be disqualified.
  • Originality: The story must be unpublished and must not have previously been submitted to another competition.
  • A story submitted in a previous edition may be resubmitted provided that it has been revised or edited before resubmission.
  • Previous winners of the award are not eligible to participate in future editions. This restriction does not apply to participants who received an honorable mention.
  • If shortlisted, participants must be prepared to attend the awards ceremony in Dubai at their own expense.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Applicants must be residents of the United Arab Emirates.
  • The minimum age is 16 years.
  • There are three age categories:
  • 16–21 years.
  • 22–30 years.
  • 31 years and above.
  • The participant’s age is calculated as of December 11, 2026, the competition closing date.
  • The competition is open to writers with different levels of experience and ability.
  • Stories may be submitted in Arabic or English.
  • The submitted story must be original and written by the participant.
  • The story must not have been previously published or submitted to another competition.
  • The work must not exceed the specified word limit, with an additional allowance of up to 10% according to the terms.
  • Only one story may be submitted per applicant.
  • The use of artificial intelligence tools in writing the story is prohibited.
  • The participant’s name must not appear in the story file to ensure anonymous judging.
Opportunity Benefits
  • Winners receive a commemorative award plaque.
  • Cash prizes are awarded to first-place winners in each age category and in both Arabic and English.
  • A visit to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre.
  • An opportunity to meet astronauts.
  • Specialized creative writing workshops to develop the winning story and explore the possibility of adapting it into a novel.
  • Potential participation in the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2027.
  • Professional publication opportunities for selected outstanding stories, as stated on the competition page.
  • Access to workshops and educational resources related to writing and editing science fiction.
  • Opportunities to receive guidance and feedback to improve writing and storytelling skills.