The SETI Institute: Cosmic Chronicles Literary Prize
The SETI Institute is a non-profit research organization; their mission is “to lead humanity's quest to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the universe and share that knowledge with the world.” You can read about them here. Their contest is for those who have not published a full-length book (chapbooks are fine). “The Cosmic Chronicles Literary Prize is a new initiative from the SETI Institute’s Artist in Residence (AIR) program. Cosmic Chronicles is a contest for emerging writers of all ages whose work explores questions of life, intelligence and consciousness in the universe.
Cosmic Chronicles invites writers and poets working in literature, speculative fiction/sci-fi, experimental poetry, and philosophy to submit original, unpublished creative work that reflects and expands on the SETI Institute’s “Intelligence and Consciousness” research area, exploring the questions:
-- What is the nature of consciousness?
-- What is the nature and evolution of intelligence?
We suggest that writers and poets familiarize themselves with the SETI Institute’s research. The jury will pay attention to a strong connection to the SETI Institute’s scientific work as well as innovation in creative expression.” Poetry submissions can be up to 80 lines; prose, up to 2,000 words; and visual poetry, up to 8 pages.
Value: $1,000; three prizes of $100 each
Deadline: 1 September 2025
Open for: Emerging writers (see guidelines)
Details here.

Deadline: September 1st, 2025