Evaristo Prize for African Poetry

The Evaristo Prize for African Poetry is a literary award by the African Poetry Book Fund (APBF) first given in 2013. It was previously called the Brunel International African Poetry Prize sponsored by Brunel University and Bernardine Evaristo. The APBF took over the award and renamed it in 2023.^[1]

Brunel International African Poetry Prize was a literary award aimed at the "development, celebration and promotion of poetry from Africa."^[2][3] The prize is sponsored by Brunel University and Bernardine Evaristo. In the past, it has been partnered by Commonwealth Writers and the African Poetry Book Fund USA.^[2] It came with a £3,000 honorarium.^[2] It was aimed at unpublished poets with a manuscript of ten poems.^[4] The prize was founded by British-Nigerian writer Bernardine Evaristo in part to help introduce African poets to readers outside of Africa, saying: "It became clear to me that poetry from the continent could also do with a prize to draw attention to it and to encourage a new generation of poets who might one day become an international presence."^[5] She managed the prize from 2011 till 2023.

In 2023, it was renamed to the Evaristo Prize for African Poetry, with an annual prize of USD $1,500 awarded.^[6]

• Brunel University African Poetry Prize, official website