On this page you’ll find the rules, eligibility criteria, deadlines and submissions process for entering the International Booker Prize

The International Booker Prize is awarded annually to the author and translator of the best – in the opinion of the judges – eligible work of long-form fiction or collection of short stories written by an author of any nationality and translated into English, and published in the UK and/or Ireland.

Only publishers based in the UK and/or Ireland can submit entries to the prize. Authors, translators and agents are not permitted to enter the prizes directly.

Enter the International Booker Prize 2026

Submissions for the International Booker Prize 2026 are now closed. 

Eligible works were those published between 1 May 2025 and 30 April 2026.

Download the International Booker Prize 2026 rules and submissions criteria (pdf)

Announcement dates 

Longlist announcement: Tuesday, 24 February 2026
Shortlist announcement: Tuesday, 31 March 2026
Winner announcement and ceremony: Tuesday, 19 May 2026

Publisher queries

Please contact the Booker Prize Foundation: [email protected]