The 2026 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction longlist will be announced on 11 February.
The Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction is an annual book prize that celebrates exceptional narrative non-fiction by women. The Prize promotes excellence in writing, robust research, original narrative voices and accessibility, showcasing women’s expertise across a range of fields.
The Prize is awarded annually and is open to all women writers from across the globe who are published in the UK and writing in English. The winner receives a cheque for £30,000 and a limited-edition artwork known as the ‘Charlotte’, both gifted by the Charlotte Aitken Trust.
A panel of five women, all passionate readers and at the top of their respective professions, will choose the winner of the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction.
The whole process starts in the summer of the previous year. We approach potential judges and invite UK publishers to submit eligible books.
Submissions for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction are closed. Full terms and conditions of eligibility can be found here
Judges plunge immediately into reading their allocated books, basing their deliberations for the longlist, shortlist and winner on three core tenets, which mirror its sister fiction prize: excellence, originality and accessibility.
The 2026 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction longlist will be announced on 11 February 2026, and the shortlist on 25 March 2026. Winners of both prizes will be revealed on 11 June at the charity’s annual summer party in Bedford Square Gardens, London.
Love Books?
Join our 16 million-strong community of book lovers.
Your information will only be used to subscribe to the Women's Prize newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time.
