The 21st edition is now open for submissions. Here’s everything writers, translators, and publishers need to know deadlines, categories, prize money, and eligibility rules, all in one place.
| AED 7.75M Total prize pool | 4,000+ Entries last edition | 74 Countries represented | 10 Award categories |
If you’re a writer, publisher, or cultural institution working in Arabic literature, translation, or intellectual production the Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA) is the award you’ve been building toward. Now in its 21st edition, the Award has opened submissions for 2026–2027, and the window is narrow: 1 May to 1 September 2026.
This guide draws directly on official information from the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). No speculation, no filler just what you need to know to submit a competitive entry.
What Is the Sheikh Zayed Book Award?
Established in 2006 by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award was created to honour the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan a leader who understood culture not as an ornament of power, but as its foundation.
Over two decades, SZBA has evolved into one of the most internationally recognised literary prizes in the Arab world. Its mission is threefold: to honour outstanding intellectual and literary achievement, to promote the role of literature in human development, and to strengthen Arab culture’s presence on the global stage.
“More than 4,000 entries were submitted from 74 countries in the most recent edition — a number that reflects the Award’s standing as a truly global platform.”
The Award is not simply a prize. It is a statement about where the Arab intellectual world stands and where it aspires to go.
21st Edition: What’s New in 2026–2027?
The 21st edition brings a meaningful change in how works can be submitted. For the first time, the Award has approved the acceptance of digital (PDF) copies of nominated works alongside physical copies. This is a direct response to the growing global reach of the Award — making it easier for entrants from across 74+ countries to participate without navigating international shipping logistics.
The submission platform has also received significant upgrades designed to streamline participation, broaden access, and improve the efficiency of the evaluation process. These are not cosmetic changes they reflect the Award’s commitment to operating at the same standard as the world’s premier literary prizes.
Submission Window & Key Dates
1 May 2026
Submissions open 21st edition officially launches
1 September 2026
Submissions close final deadline for all categories
During ADIBF
Official winners’ ceremony at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair
Note: The submission window is exactly four months. Shortlisting and jury deliberation timelines are not publicly disclosed.
The 10 Award Categories
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award accepts entries across a wide spectrum of intellectual and creative work. Here are all ten categories for the 21st edition:
- Literature
- Translation
- Contribution to Development of Nations
- Arab Culture in Other Languages
- Children’s Literature
- Manuscripts, Encyclopaedias & Lexicons
- Literary and Art Criticism
- Young Author
- Publishing and Technology
- Cultural Personality of the Year
The Cultural Personality of the Year category operates differently from the competitive categories it recognises a prominent Arab or international figure (individual or organisation) who has made significant contributions to Arab culture while embodying values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Prize Money: What Winners Receive
| Each competitive category winner (×9) | AED 750,000 |
| Cultural Personality of the Year | AED 1,000,000 |
| Total prize pool | AED 7,750,000 |
| Additional honours | Gold medal + certificate of appreciation |
To put this in perspective: AED 750,000 is approximately USD 204,000 per category — making SZBA one of the most financially significant literary awards globally, comparable in scale to the Booker Prize and the National Book Award.
Eligibility Rules: Who Can Apply?
Works must meet these requirements
- Published within the past two years prior to submission
- Carries a recognised International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
- Original works written in Arabic (except Translation, Arab Culture in Other Languages, and Manuscripts categories)
- Authors may submit through their publishers
Works that will be disqualified
- Works submitted to another award in the same year
- Works that have previously received major international awards
- More than one submission per author (one work, one category only)
- Works without a valid ISBN number
Special rule: Cultural Personality of the Year
This category cannot be self-nominated. Nominations must come from academic, cultural, or research institutions; literary bodies; universities or be endorsed by three prominent intellectual figures.
Why This Award Matters the Bigger Picture
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award sits at the intersection of cultural diplomacy and literary excellence. It is organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, an institution within DCT Abu Dhabi whose mandate includes protecting the Arabic language and promoting UAE soft power globally.
In practical terms, this means that SZBA winners don’t just receive a prize they gain access to an international platform, translation opportunities, visibility at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, and the credibility that comes with being endorsed by one of the Gulf’s most respected cultural institutions.
For Arab writers working in diaspora communities, or for translators bringing Arabic literature to global audiences, SZBA recognition can be genuinely career-defining.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Can I submit a work written in English?
Answer: Yes, but only in specific categories: Translation; Arab Culture in Other Languages; and Manuscripts, Encyclopaedias, and Lexicons provided the submission meets each category’s approved regulations. All other categories require Arabic-language works.
Question: Can I submit digital copies of my work?
Answer: Yes. For the 21st edition, the Award has exceptionally approved the acceptance of digital (PDF) copies of nominated works to ensure a smooth evaluation process.
Question: Can a publisher submit on behalf of an author?
Answer: Yes. Authors may submit nominations directly or through their publishers, provided all eligibility criteria are met.
Question: What if my book was published three years ago?
Answer: It would not be eligible. All nominated works must have been published within the past two years prior to submission.
Question: Can I submit the same work to multiple categories?
Answer: No. Each nominee may submit only one work in one category. Submitting the same work to multiple categories will result in disqualification.
Question: When and where is the ceremony held?
Answer: Winners are honoured in an official ceremony held during the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. They also receive a gold medal and a certificate of appreciation alongside their prize money.
